Muslim and Christian youths from Indonesia and Britain will gather in Waterford port today for a "voyage of reconciliation and friendship" commemorating the deaths of 202 people in Bali last October in a terrorist bombing.
The Portsmouth-based Sail Training Association and the family of Daniel Braden, an English amateur rugby player who died in the nightclub bombing on the Indonesian island, have combined to organise the trip on board the Stavros S. Niarchos, a square-rigged sailing ship.
The vessel sails from Waterford tomorrow for an eight-night voyage to Portsmouth where it is due to arrive on July 31st having berthed in France en route.
Sail Training has provided space for nine Muslims, who have travelled from Indonesia to Waterford where they will board the vessel today.
The berths are being funded jointly by the Sail Training Association and the Daniel Braden Reconciliation Trust, a charity set up by Mr Braden's family to promote unbiased understanding of other people's beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
The director of the Sail Training Association, Mr Tim Law, said yesterday: "This is what STA tall ships youth work is all about - breaking down barriers, improving understanding, getting on with each other no matter what the situation and the environment. It's a life-building experience which will help everyone on the voyage in the future."
Heroe Soeprapto, who has helped prepare the Indonesian youngsters for their voyage, added: "This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn and mix with different cultures and gain an unbiased understanding of Western life. They are all from poor Muslim families and have never been abroad before, so the voyage will certainly be a life-changing experience."
Also on board will be nine young Muslims from Derby. Aadil Bhatti, social cohesion project co-ordinator, said: "In light of the kind of tensions that exist among different communities, this is a positive way forward. It will help create a greater understanding and respect among various cultural groups."
Joining the Muslim teenagers for the voyage will be eight 16- to 18-year-olds, sponsored by Warwickshire Police. Det Cons Henry Scutt, of the force's youth development team, said: "We know a tall ship voyage is a great way to develop people's self-awareness and give them a more positive attitude to life and different cultures. I know these young people will learn a great deal from this voyage, which in turn will benefit our local community."
Sail Training personnel have been busy preparing for the multicultural voyage from Waterford. The crew has been getting to grips with the logistics of providing Halal food and prayer rooms and translating the strange sailing language of tall ships.
The voyage, which begins tomorrow, has secured support from the British and Indonesian governments.