URI Global Council Urges Observance of UN International Day of Peace
August 15th, 2003 by sfuqua
The August 2003 letter from Charles Gibbs, Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative, urging observance of the United Nations' International Day of Peace on September 21 and describing plans for such in Chile.
August, 2003
Dear Friends of the URI,
Greetings of love and peace. In July, I wrote on behalf
of URI's Global Council urging an active observance of the UN's International
Day of Peace this coming September 21. I write now to share news of an
observance that is being planned in Chile and to renew my urging to all to
find a meaningful way to join a global community focused on peace. The
suggestions I offered previously for how you might participate are repeated
at the end of this letter.
The Spiritual Forum of Santiago for Peace Cooperation Circle is planning a
three-day observance for international peace with three different aspects,
which are detailed by Global Council Trustee Gerardo Gonzalez:
- Prayers by the communities: We are inviting the communities
belonging to the various religions and spiritual traditions which are
active in Santiago to meet on Saturday 20 or Sunday 21 in their own places
(churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, etc.) to pray from their own faith
for peace in the world, aware that other communities, built upon other
faiths and spiritual traditions are doing the same in other places of our
city, our country and the world. - Prayers for peace in the world at the schools: Private and
public schools are being invited to celebrate the International Day of
Peace during the morning of Monday 22 of September, including prayers,
which will have an ecumenical or interfaith character in those places where
there are students or teachers who belong to different religions or
spiritual traditions. - Central Ceremony of Interfaith prayers for Peace in the World:
The three-day celebration of the International Day of Peace will with a
ceremony in the main conference hall of the UN Regional Headquarters
(ECLAC) in Santiago, where we will be hosted by the Executive Secretary of
the UN Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Representatives from around twelve religions and spiritual traditions
(Christians, Jews, Moslems, Buddhists, Sikhs, Sufis, Bahá'ís and indigenous
traditions) will be seated in a circle at the center of a huge circular
hall, surrounded by a multi-religious audience. They will pray one by one,
using their own sacred languages, songs and rituals. A minute in silence
will follow, allowing all the people attending the ceremony to pray
simultaneously for peace. The event will end with all the participants
reading in loud voice a commitment to the cause of peace.
I hope the vision and plans of our Chilean brothers and sisters excites
and inspires you. I invite others to share their plans and to share the
invitation to join the global community observing the International Day of
Peace. Here are a few suggestions of how you might observe the International
Day of Peace:
-
Have a Moment of Silence for peace at 12 noon.
-
Encourage local religious communities to observe this Moment of
Silence and encourage schools to do this on Friday, Sept. 19, when the
Peace Bell will be rung at the UN. - Hold an International Day of Peace Vigil - a full day of spiritual
observance for peace. See
www.idpvigil.com. - Plant a Peace Pole - plant a new one or re-dedicate an existing
one. - Collaborate with UN offices and missions in your area in commemorating
the Day. See
www.un.org/events/peaceday. - Encourage your city, state, or national government to issue a
proclamation declaring September 21st as a day of peace, nonviolence, and
cease-fire. See
www.internationaldayofpeace.org
for ideas. - Ask your local media to publicize the International Day of Peace.
On behalf of all who yearn for peace, I thank you for your commitment.
Love, Charles Gibbs
