Brunei Joins Asia In Greeting 2005 In Solemn Prayers
By Maya Salleh

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei, although spared from the wrath of the tsunami tragedy, joined its tsunami-hit neighbouring countries in their mourning and welcomed the New Year quietly without the usual fanfare and festivities.

It was reported that government officials in Malaysia banned fireworks display and ordered cancellations of public concerts and celebrations as a sign of mourning for at least 66 of its nationals confirmed dead so far.

The report added that many Malaysian hotels, shopping malls and night clubs held a minute of silence before midnight instead of the traditional New Year countdown.

The country's premier, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, earlier this week made a call on religious authorities to hold mass prayer gatherings to mark the end of 2004 citing that it was "not a time to be happy".

Sri Lanka, one of the countries battered by the vicious tsunamis, also observed Asia's grief by cancelling New Year's Eve festivities.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono requested the cancellation of official celebrations in Jakarta and called for unity and urged his nation to pray together.

Tsunami survivors in Thailand tearfully embraced at a candlelight vigil in Phuket as 2005 began. But New Year parties at bars there soon roared back to life.

Countries around the globe, unaffected by the disaster also paid their respects in mourning the lives lost in Asia's calamity where Sydney, the world's first major city to welcome 2005, spectators observed a minute of silence before the city's world famous fireworks display began over the Harbour Bridge.

International reports also cited in Paris, the Champs Elysees was draped in black, and Brussels cancelled its fireworks display as countries around Europe lowered flags to half staff.

Germany's capital observed as many as 600,000 revellers welcomed the New Year at the Brandenburg Gate after the Berlin Philharmonic dedicated its traditional New Year's Eve concert to the tsunami victims.

India's film industry made an announcement that it would be holding a "Bollywood Extravaganza" to help those devastated by the disaster.

Meanwhile, the Russian town of Beslan, where 330 people - half of them children - were killed in a school hostage drama in September, families announced they would donate US$35,000 to the tsunami victims.

Some 150,000 people who gathered in London's Thames observed two minutes of silence for tsunami victims before fireworks were set off.

Municipal celebrations in Istanbul were cancelled, including a concert by some of Turkey's most famous pop stars and fireworks at Taksim Square.

In Singapore, cancelled celebrations and fireworks displays gave way to prayer sessions and muted gatherings which turned to fund raising, in memory of the tsunami victims.

Pope John Paul II in Rome prayed for worldwide peace and held a Mass at midnight for the tsunami victims.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan summed up the world's grief, "The tsunami disaster of December 26 cuts deep into the heart of our common humanity," he said in a videotaped message.

"It happened during a special season, close to the beginning of a New Year - a time when people should have been inspired to hope.

"Instead, they were stricken by a disaster so brutal, so quick and so far-reaching that we are still struggling to comprehend it. A disaster that has registered deeply in the consciousness and conscience of the world."

But Annan called for the world to respond together and ring in 2005 in unity.

"This is a time to show that when calamity strikes, humankind can unite to help and protect its own," he said, "so I urge all of you to be generous in your contributions. Together, we will work to rebuild the lives, livelihoods and communities devastated by this catastrophe. Together, we will send a message of hope." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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