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IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Ngawang Phelgyal, Tenzin Kalsang Choephel: +1 (212) 213-5010 THE DALAI LAMA SENDS CONDOLENCES AND A DONATION OF $30,000 TO MAYOR GIULIANI FOR THE NEW YORK CITY RELIEF EFFORTS NEW YORK - On September 13, 2001, His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent a letter to New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, through the Office of Tibet New York, in which He states, "I have just written to President Bush expressing my deep sense of shock at the devastating terrorist attacks that took place . . . We are deeply saddened. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost their lives, those who have been injured and the many more who have been traumatized by this senseless act of violence." His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on behalf of the Tibetan people, is donating $30,000 towards the relief effort as a "symbolic gesture of our solidarity with the people in New York City." Nawang Rabgyal, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas, will deliver this donation to Mayor Giuliani. In yesterday's letter to President Bush, the Noble Laureate concludes with these poignant remarks: "It may seem presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need to think seriously whether a violent action is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of the nation and people in the long run. I believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence. But how do we deal with hatred and anger, which are often the root causes of such senseless violence?" The exiled leader appealed for a calm and farsighted response to the attacks. The Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament also sent condolence letters to the President and the New York City Mayor. The Tibetan leaders conveyed their confidence that the U.S. as a great nation will overcome these recent events and the American people will show their resilience, courage and determination. A Special Prayer Session was held yesterday at the main temple in Dharamsala, India for all the victims of the terrorist attack. More than a thousand people joined His Holiness the Dalai Lama in prayer for the victims. Today members of the Tibetan community of New York and New Jersey will be holding a prayer service at 6:00pm in Union Square. All who wish to attend are welcome. ### The Office of Tibet New York is the official representative office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile to the Americas. [
photo | sonam zoksang ] |
