Scientology Volunteers Active at Mumbai Terror Site

The November 2008 Mumbai attacks were a series of ten coordinated attacks committed by terrorists, which began across Mumbai, the largest city in India and the country's financial capital ended when Indian security forces finally regained control of all attack sites. At least 172 people, including at least 34 foreign nationals, have been confirmed dead and at least 293 have been injured. It was into this, brief reign of terror, that the Scientology Volunteer Ministers came to help those who had survived the carnage and their families.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers led by Mohammed Khalil, who had flown in from West Bengal to help and were armed with spiritual first aid techniques called 'Assists' (processes designed to relieve the spiritual trauma of injuries and shocks), went to the main hospital where the dead and injured had been delivered by emergency personnel. The Volunteers immediately got to work giving Assists to the injured, helping to alleviate their pain and bring comfort and hope. Naturally their swift, effective and positive demeanor generated interest and excitement. So they gave demonstrations of these techniques to the injured and their attendant family members. Very soon mothers, wives and other family caregivers were to be seen delivering these simple, non-drug procedures and alleviating pain and discomfort.

The hospital Dean was delighted with the results, inviting the volunteer ministers back the next day.

The Church of Scientology's corps of Scientology Volunteers are on call 24 hours a day to bring their help whenever and wherever needed. And to that end they are organized to respond to any disaster "man-made" or by force of nature.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been at disaster sites for decades, working along side the Red Cross and many other volunteer organizations and emergency staff. Their trademark yellow shirts identify their presence at any scene. As one large city Mayor stated: 'You've helped us with a lot of people and you made their lives better simply because you understand who they are and what they need. And you don't wait for marching orders. You know your profession, and you've made a difference.'

The volunteers will continue on site helping the medical staff of the hospital and the victims and their families as long as they are needed.

Their motto is: No matter how bad the problem - 'something can be done about it.'