We've learnt this morning that Rafaa Antoun has died.
The Christchurch Interfaith Society exists because of her efforts to contact and unite the various faith communities in Christchurch, and it is impossible to count the number of people affected by her tireless work.
I will pass on funeral details as soon as we hear of them. Please remember her in your prayers.
Update
The funeral service for Rafaa will be at 10am on Friday 9 January, at St Luke's Anglican Church, on the corner of Manchester and Kilmore streets.
It is a great time for all
It is a great time for all ages. lawn mower
I've been talking with my
I've been talking with my wife about where to go on our holiday coming up and she has me looking into paris hotels at the moment so i think we are off to France for a few next month. Should be a nice get away from the winter.
Rafaa Antoun
Dearest Rafaa
You stretched out your warm hand and generous heart to the community. Christchurch was your new home and you treated it as such. You were able to make everyone feel welcome both to newcomers and to the people who are already here. Your smiling face will be sadly missed around this place. Your work was Trojan. Your love for your fellow human beings is inspirational. The gap you leave - irreplaceable. The legacy you leave is legend.
A light has gone out from our city, to join the lights of God.
Our deepest condolences to family and friends.
From Macedonian Culture Group.
I wish to express my sorrow
I wish to express my sorrow at Rafaa Antoun's death. She will be very much missed by those of us concerned for interfaith relations.
William Shepard
Message from ChCh Ethnic Council
It is with profound regret that I have been informed today (3 Jan) of the sudden passing of Rafaa Antoun at her home in Richmond Christchurch.
Rafaa was a tireless worker for many ethnic groups, social, cultural, religious, political and others in Christchurch & beyond.
On behalf of all ethnic communities and groups in Christchurch I extend our heartfelt sympathy to all her family & friends.
Jim Fraser
Chairman, Christchurch Ethnic Council Inc.
Rafaa's sudden departure
I and Archna were very shocked to hear the sudden passing of our friend Rafaa. We still can't believe that she is no more among us. I had the pleasure of working with her for the Christchurch Ethnic Council and Christchurch Inter Faith Council. She always put her hand up to provide her full support for events/forums/meetings etc. More recently she also supported the events of Indian Social & Cultural Club, and even dressed up like an Indian woman at the Diwali function at the Cathedral Square. She also shared her grief for the recent Mumbai terror attacks.
Rafaa was a great promotor of cultural and religious diversity in Christchurch and beyond.
Last month (December'08), I had the pleasure of her company at the Sunday Rotary Market (Sunday 14th) to meet and greet, on behalf of Ethnic Council, several ethnic groups at their special arts/crafts/food stalls to celebrate the Christmas spirit; Inter Faith's end-of-year social function (Sunday 20th) and then later in the evening at the ChCh Kerala Association's Christmas function. She always looked very cheerful.
From the last Sunday Riccarton Rotary market when she was buying Christmas lights and decorations for herself she told me that she wanted to decorate her house and Christmas tree to have a very special Christmas this year. I didn't know this would be her last Christmas!
I and Archna pray to Almighty to rest her soul in peace.
Rafaa will always remain in our thoughts.
Surinder & Archna Tandon
Rafaa Antoun
Dearest Rafaa
It is with great sadness that I read of your departure. I will miss you immensely.
I remember with fondness the numerous meetings and functions that you organised and all the events that you supported. Your enthusiasm and commitment to helping newcomers to Christchurch and New Zealand was obvious for all to see and you were very successful at it. Your name will continue to spoken and your deeds remembered for a very long time.
I would humbly like to thank you for your friendship and your contribution to making my life and the many others that you helped that much better. I will treasure the many memories that I have of you.
With all my love
Rakesh
The late Rafaa Emile Antoun
Rest in Peace, my old friend!!
We may have our unique differences in politics and its mechanism. Yet, we remain friends in our hearts.
I guess I wont have that lunch with you now that you are gone.
Thank you for inviting me to Rehua Marae.
Wherever you are, dont let those heavenly politicians driving you nuts or to utter exhaustion!!!. It simply not worth it.
Sandy
Rafaa's Passing
I grieve the passing of the incomparable Rafaa. The news of her passing has struck both Patrick and I very deeply. We knew her so well...loved her and also disagreed and faught with her from time to time! Nonetheless, she was a big part of our lives and we will miss her passion, committment and tenaciousness in working for the benifit of newcomers to New Zealand and for the really great woman she was.
Rafaa....Fly free, be at peace and may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Much, much love my friend
Claire