Acehnese women pray at the mass grave in Lambaro village in the outskirt of Banda Aceh, Indonesia

World leaders have marked the first anniversary of the tsunami disaster in videotaped condolences sent to Indian Ocean communities.

Their messages were shown Monday at a ceremony in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. President Bush said it was a day of sorrow that reminded everyone the world is not always a safe place in which to live. But he said faith can inspire people of all religions to work together for the sake of future generations.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the tsunami was so quick, brutal and extensive that people are still struggling to fully comprehend it. He also praised the global response, saying millions of people around the world stepped forward to help.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth also mentioned the tsunami in her annual Christmas message as one of several natural disasters and terrorist attacks that made 2005 a terrible year for many people.