‘We won’t be afraid,will rebuild institutions,stronger than before’

Later,minutes before a group of around 100 people lit candles at Nariman House in Colaba,Berkowitz — who will oversee the use of thousands of dollars in charity raised from across the world for the rebuilding of the Chabad House — declined to comment on whether the refurbished Nariman House would once again house the worldwide movement’s Mumbai centre. Security concerns have kept the group’s Mumbai activities and location a closely-guarded secret.

At the prayer meet,thanking the Central and state governments and local police for their support and security,Berkowitz recounted a chance meeting with a stranger during his stopover in Dubai airport,on his way to Mumbai. “A Muslim man walked up to me and asked if I knew in which direction Mecca was,for he had to pray. I took out my compass for my friend travelling from Damascus and told him my name is Abraham,and I need to pray too,to Jerusalem,” he said,adding that the Jews stand together with millions of “moderate Muslims” in the fight against terror. Support from Indians for the cause of the rebuilding has been immense too,he said,calling every Indian a “target of the hatred” of 26/11.

He also singled out Sandra Samuel,the nanny who saved little Moshe Holtzberg from Chabad House that night,for praise. “She represents the best of India,and the best of humanity,” he said.

Also present at the event were Rabbi Abraham Cooper,associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance; Swami Gnana Tej of the Art of Living Foundation; Dr Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed,Islamic leader and founder of the Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India; Ervad Dr Ramiyar Parvez Karanjia,Zoroastrian scholar; Fr Ceasar D’Mello,rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus of Mumbai; Dr Ashok Arora,chief of Education Division,Bharat Soka Gakkai and Sri Raman Tikka of the Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram.