Hong Kong religious sectors held on Monday a prayer session to remember the sacrificed during the SARS outbreak. Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa attended the event.
Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho said at the session, "They are those who struggled and succumbed to the disease, and who had made the rest of us value life much more than before."
He said the suffering had driven us to examine the fundamental strengths and values of our community and to re-think the essence of life.
SARS has made great suffering in Hong Kong over the past two and a half months. Over 283 people were killed and 1,742 were contracted, including 384 health care workers. A 30-year old hospital doctor died of SARS on Sunday night, becoming the eighth and the youngest front-line health care worker to be killed by the disease in Hong Kong.
Tong Yun-kai from the Confucian Academy said Hong Kong citizens face the threat of SARS with unrivaled courage. They united with the same mind and they kindly help each other, which displays the highest noble spirit of humanity.
Ven Kok Kwong from Hong Kong Buddhist Association said, "We pray that we can build up a healthier and a more loving community."
India businessman Kumar who attended the ceremony told Xinhua that he has lived in Hong Kong for over 50 years and "has seen so many ups and downs here."
"But each time Hong Kong stepped up with vitality," Kumar said. "During the SARS period, we have witnessed so much touching things. We have so many dedicated medical workers and we feel deep respect for them."
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)
