You are reading

Acting Queens BP to Host Virtual Interfaith Vigil to Honor COVID-19 Victims and Frontline Workers

(Image: Echo Grid via Unsplash)

April 20, 2020 By Michael Dorgan

Queens elected officials and local religious figures from various faiths are coming together to host a virtual vigil Tuesday to honor residents who have died due to COVID-19 and the borough’s frontline and essential workers battling the pandemic.

The Queens Virtual Interfaith Vigil will be hosted by Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee on April 21, at 5 p.m. It will feature at least eleven religious leaders who will join together and pray for the victims and workers who continue to put their lives at risk by treating the sick or ensuring essential services remain operating.

Congresswoman Grace Meng, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz,  New York Attorney General Letitia James are some of the names co-hosting the event.

State Senators Joseph Addabbo, Mike Gianaris Jessica Ramos as well as Council Members Costa Constantinides, Danny Dromm, Robert Holden and Francisco Moya are also listed as participants.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • – Imam Shamsi Ali of the Jamaica Muslim Center
  • – Reverend Dr. John Boyd, II of New Greater Bethel Ministries
  • – Father Joseph Fonti of The Church of St. Mel
  • – Pastor Ben Hur of Promise Church
  • – Dr. Neeta Jain of International Ahimsa Foundation, Inc.
  • – Rabbi Mark Kaiserman of The Reform Temple of Forest Hills
  • – Gurdev Singh Kang of the Sikh Cultural Society
  • – Father Mike Lopez of All Saints Priory Missionary Benedictines of the Poor
  • – Rabbi Yossi Mendelsohn of Congregation Machane Chodosh
  • – Dr. Uma Mysorekar of the Hindu Temple Society of North America
  • – Venerable Youwang Shih of the International Buddhist Progress Society

The borough president is asking attendees/viewers to RSVP by clicking on this link or by calling 718-286-2661.  For live broadcast information visit queensbp.org/interfaithvigal

More than 2,600 Queens residents have lost their lives to COVID-19 and close to 40,000 Queens residents have been infected with the virus since the outbreak began, according to the latest official figures.

 

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Off-duty paramedic spots South Richmond Hill two-alarm house fire that injures nine firefighters, two civilians on Friday morning: FDNY

Nine firefighters were injured, two of them seriously, and two civilians sustained minor injuries during a two-alarm house fire in South Richmond Hill on Friday morning, but it could have been worse if not for the actions of an off-duty veteran EMT.

Paramedic Craig Biscuiti was driving to work when he noticed a column of thick black smoke and heavy flames coming from the first floor of a two-story home at 95-36 111th St. just before 7:10 a.m.

Astoria doctor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape and sexual abuse: DA

An Astoria doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Thursday in Queens Supreme Court for raping unconscious acquaintances and sexually abusing hospital patients.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, of Broadway, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of rape in the first degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree in satisfaction of the consolidated indictments against him. He additionally entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse. The defendant — a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital — recorded the abuse of his unconscious victims with his cell phone in both his Astoria apartment and at the hospital.