Prayers for Thought

The disaster in Japan hits strikingly close to home. We were on our field trip up north when the earthquake and tsunami hit, and I couldn’t leave the restaurant without calling Dad to make sure him and Terri were ok. Also learned later that he had checked in with all of our Delta family friends, and everyone is safe. It is crazy to think that it could have happened just as easily when Dad and I were there in the beginning of the year- although we would have been safe in Narita, we would certainly have been stranded travelers for a while. 

As we have been watching the disasters in Japan unfold, I have also been watching my AIT inbox become flooded with messages of condolences from different student groups as well as requests for prayer. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would ever receive emails through a school server with a religious tone to them, and I really, really, appreciate that AIT has the freedom to communicate in such manner. The school is a mix of all religions-- and moral codes for that matter-- which has created some very interesting (and sometimes tense) conversations.

I also think it is impressive how prominent AIT seems to be. Initially I thought it would be kind of a crappy school, but we have had access to some of the leading politicians and professors in Asia. Many of the masters students here have studied and worked at some really prestigious universities and businesses. I say this because it is reflected very well in AIT’s response to the disaster—they have been able to dispatch teams to help Japan with survival as well as begin the recovery process.

Thought I would share with you a sample of the emails I have received.  

Message of Condolence to Japan

AIT is deeply saddened and shocked by the many lives lost and the widespread damage caused by Japan's most powerful earthquake in recorded history and subsequent tsunami that struck north-east Japan on Friday.

On behalf of all members of the AIT community, I would like to convey my deepest condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Japan, particularly to the families of the victims and all those affected by this massive disaster which is still unfolding. Our thoughts and prayers are with our alumni in Japan, former faculty colleagues, friends and other institutional partners.

The longstanding relationship AIT enjoys with Government of Japan makes this disaster even more poignant and the Institute stands ready to assist in any way it can. I have also conveyed AIT’s condolences and offer of support to the Ambassador of Japan to Thailand who is an AIT Board of Trustee member and the President of the AIT Alumni Association-Japan Chapter.

AIT is currently engaged in the field of disaster preparedness and management through its collaboration with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) and Telecoms Sans Frontières (TSF) which has been taking the lead in providing communication facilities to disaster stricken areas. TSF has already deployed a team to Japan from its regional base in Bangkok to assess the needs in telecommunications and provide emergency aid to the local population and the emergency workers. 

AIT’s new program in disaster preparedness, mitigation and management is also a timely undertaking which we have launched in collaboration with several institutional partners including those from Japan such as the International Center for Urban Safety Engineering (ICUS), The University of Tokyo; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University.

Japan will no doubt overcome this setback with courage and dignity, and AIT along with its institutional partners stands ready to provide any assistance that it can as the country recovers and rebuilds from this tragedy.

Yours sincerely,

Said Irandoust

President

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

______________________________________________________________________________

Dear all,

On behalf of AIT Nepalese Students Society, we would like to express our deep sorrow for
the catastrophic earthquake of 8.9 magnitudes in Japan. In this mournful situation we
would like to pray for the strength, peace and speedy recovery of the victimized people
to withstand this devastating tragedy.


Warm Regards,

Mohan Timilsina
President AIT-NS

______________________________________________________________________________

Dear friends and colleagues,

I have never imagined consequences of terrible earthquake and tsunami just happened in Japan when accessing to internet in the last two days. On behalf of AIT Vietnamese Student Association, I would like to expose my deep sympathy and condolence to all victims who are suffering these devastating disasters in Japan at present.

I pray and hope the sun will rise normally like before, and Japanese will escape from these catastrophes as soon as possible.

With my best regards,

Le Van Lan

______________________________________________________________________________

Dear All

On behalf of AIT Bangladesh Association, I would like to express my sympathy for the recent (8.9 magnitude on Richter scale) earthquake and subsequent tsunami that took place on Pacific Ocean nearby Northeastern Japan at around 2:46pm on March 11 (JST). We mourn for the demise of the victim. We pray to Almighty Allah for the eternal peace of the departed soul. We also pray and hope that Japan will overcome this natural catastrophe at the earlier conveniences.

Regards,

Md. Afzal Jamil

General Secretary

AIT Bangladesh Association

______________________________________________________________________________

Fellow Students,

Following the recent development in Japan where the largest earthquake in
the history of that country hit the eastern cost today. The 8.9 magnitude
earthquake originating from offshore causing a great amount of losses to the
country and also, putting tens of other countries under serious threat of
Tsunami.

The Student Union on behalf of the students of AIT wishes to express our
shock to the recent happenings. We have a number of AIT students on exchange
in Japan, students and faculty from Japan and also, many of us from
countries and regions where the early warning signs of Tsunami have been
sent. In order words, the earthquake originating from offshore Japan has a
great and direct effect on AIT and AIT students.

We wish to use this medium to call on all AIT students to continue to pray
unceasingly for our brothers and sisters in or from all the affected areas
to be safe. We also, wish to assure the families and friends of AIT students
presently in Japan at this most difficult moment that, AIT students are with
them and shall continue to support them with prayers.

We call on relatives and friends of our fellow students in Japan to keep in
touch with them at this most horrifying period.

May the almighty continue to keep us safe.

Sincerely,
--
Mr. Lawal Umar Kankia
President
Student Union

______________________________________________________________________________

Favorite line: I pray and hope the sun will rise normally like before.

Love and prayers to America and Japan,

Rosie