Some Central Queensland University students and staff from took time out from the news of war to light a candle at the Interfaith Sacred Garden at CQU Rockhampton Thursday.

University Chaplain, Matthew Quaife-Ryan, invited people to visit the garden throughout the day and light a candle in honour of “reason and hope” around the world.

Mr Quaife-Ryan, who has been the Ecumenical Interfaith Chaplain at the Rockhampton campus for nine years, hoped his invitation would be welcomed as an opportunity for Muslims, Hindus and Christians to come together to express their desire for a common goal of peace.

Jan Dark, a Business and Quality Assurance Analyst for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems, lit a candle to help come to terms with her own personal feelings about the war.

“I thought if I came and lit a candle it might help me see there will be hope,” she said.

Ms Dark said her views of the attack on Iraq were not as important as keeping an open mind about what could result from it.

“I hope there are good outcomes,” she said.

Gregor Mactaggart is a journalism student who believes the United States must remove Saddam Hussein, however, is opposed to Australian involvement.

“I can see why America’s going but I wonder why John Howard has been so quick to put Australia into it,” he said. “Saddam needs to go but its not Australia’s war.\".

Catherine Krezalek, a multimedia student, shared Mr Mactaggert’s sentiments on Australia’s involvement.

“I think it’s pointless for us to be involved,” she said.

“I think we should be more focused on things closer to Australia like Korea.” Miss Krezalek feels directly affected by the nation’s involvement. Her friend. a naval officer, has been sent to fight with Australian troops.

“It seems senseless to send our friends out there,” she said.

“I’ll light the candle to show that I care about the things that are happening in the world..\" Mr Quaife-Ryan hopes that other campuses were able to express their emotions in a similar way.

Media outlets throughout Australia yesterday reported on the massive air and land strike launched on Iraq, an attack many students and staff have expressed their opposition to..

“This is a very important time for Australia and the rest of the world,” said Mr Quaife-Ryan, who believes Australia, Britain, Spain and the United States are involved in an illegal war.

--Kim Lester