UN Secretary General António Guterres note that the gathering took place at a unique moment: on the last Friday of Ramadan, when Christians celebrate Easter, Jews mark the end of Passover and Sikhs enjoy the Vaisakhi festival.
“Even the calendar is sending a message of unity,” he observes.
“Today, in a blessed time of interfaith renewal, let us raise our hearts and our voices for peace – our guiding star and our most precious goal.”
Now more than ever
Mr. Guterres said today peace is needed more than everwhen wars and conflicts cause devastating poverty, forcing tens of millions of people to flee their homes.
The entire planet is battling climate chaos, he added, and even peaceful nations are facing “inequity and political polarization”.
“Let us hold fast to the common belief that unite the human family,he say. “Let us come together as communities and nations. Let’s pray for peace.”
Combining many faiths
The ceremony was held in the Visitor’s Square at the United Nations Secretariat in front of the symbol knot gun sculpture, has become a symbol of the Foundation’s commitment to global peace.
United Nations staff, members of the diplomatic community and guests at the United Nations were among those in attendance.
Representatives of major religions led the vigil, and a minute of silence was observed including those of secular origin and to remember vulnerable people worldwide affected by the conflict. sudden.
Based on tradition
UN News Chloe Breyer, an Episcopal Priest in New York City who represents Christianity. She is honored to pray for peace together with her peers from different faiths.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate the enduring resources for peace that the world’s religious traditions have to offer and, in doing so, very much in line with the goals of the United Nations,” she said.
Women, peace and security
Father Dr. Breyer and Father Doyeon Park, an victorious Buddhist, were the only female religious leaders to participate in the ceremony, which prompted her to reflect on their role in world peace. bridge.
“When I think of the United Nations and female faith leaders, I think of [Security Council] 1325 . resolution and the need to have women around – and more women around – at the peace table, whether they are religious women or not,” she said.
“It’s definitely what our world needs right now. And you think about Afghanistan, Iran, and the changes that are happening in our country, and how important it is to have women’s voices on faith and without faith at the negotiating table.”
Celebrate what unites us
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, representative of Sikhism and Executive Director of Religion and Society Programs at the Aspen Institute, an international non-profit organization, said it was the fact that people of different religious traditions joined the group. Ending for peace is a profound lesson for humanity.
“Often in our society, we use religion to divide individual and community boundaries, and we see the pain of that all over the world,” he said.
“What I love about the idea of coming together for these holidays is that so many different communities are celebrating; they are reflecting with a lot in common and a lot of things that unite us.
Live in harmony
provide close commentHigh Representative of the United Nations Union of Civilizations (UNAOC), Miguel Ángel Moratinos, described the ceremony as a moment of beautiful harmony, “especially in these difficult times that are challenging all of humanity.”
He said it shows how to mobilize action and act in solidarity, as well as how to show compassion and mutual respect.
UNAOC promotes cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, and Moratinos stressed continued support for efforts to “build bridges of understanding, not walls of hatred and division”.
