InterfaithNews.Net

By Eric Wenzel
Global PeaceWorks

As the year 2004 ended with many unresolved violent conflicts among religious communities, a group
of volunteers of diverse faiths gathered in New Delhi, India to prove that
peace among religions is indeed possible.

The group, Global PeaceWorks, “Created a sense of family among
strangers of different national, cultural, religious, and socio-economic
backgrounds.” Said volunteer Melissa Alvarez, a student service
specialist at Penn State University (USA), who made the trip as part of her
studies with
United
Interfaith Ministries. It was a “life changing, perspective
shifting, heartwarming, and rejuvenating journey” reported Alvarez who
was joined by volunteers from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, Kenya,
Iran and the United States.

While some service organizations distance themselves from religion, Global
PeaceWorks focuses on religion as an essential component of human betterment.
“Religion and spirituality help cultivate compassion and foster our
sense of interconnectedness as a human family.” Says program
facilitator Eric Wenzel of New York. “We have to go beyond the small
minded ‘my religion is better’ thinking and work together,
honoring all sacred traditions, to solve global problems.”

Khorrum Omer, Global PeaceWorks India project director, has been working
in service and interfaith programs for two decades. Omer observed
“There are interfaith groups that celebrate diversity and honor
different religious traditions with discussion, conferences or prayer
meetings, but Global PeaceWorks is different. We don’t just shake hands
and say a prayer together. At Global PeaceWorks we say, “Hey, these
children need our help – Let’s go and serve them…
together. We are different faiths offering service together.”

Though Omer continues active involvement in his local Muslim community, he
knows no boundaries when it comes to service. In fact, when the Babri Masjid,
an Islamic holy site, was being torn down in 1992 by radical Hindus, Omer was
working with an interfaith group to restore a Hindu temple in Vrindaban.

In 2003, Omer led Global PeaceWorks in East Delhi where the group helped
build a community center in a challenged neighborhood with the
NGO Chetanalaya.
For 2004, Omer chose target="_blank">Amar Jyoti, a special school for physically and mentally
challenged children as the service site. The service work was to carry
thousands of bricks up four flights of stairs to help with construction
– an arduous task.

“I picked up the first brick,” realized Pinaki Chakraborty, a
child rights advocate and senior at Delhi University, “Day after day,
children are carrying these bricks on their heads and in their hearts. They
might just keep on doing that if no action is taken.” The thought
energized Chakraborty who worked tirelessly for hours on end. “It is
hard work, but the most important rewards are spiritual” commented
Durga Khadka, a volunteer from Kathmandu, Nepal.

The experience was enhanced by a visit to the
Fatehpuri Mosque in busy central
Delhi and dialogue with its Imam, Dr. Mufti Mukarram Ahmed. An afternoon
at the target="_blank">Bahá’í Lotus Temple; conversations
with Sikh leaders at
target="_blank">Gurudwara Bangla Sahib; prayers, food and fun at
the Gobind Sadan
community; and a trip to
target="_blank">Vrindaban, home to 5000 Hindu temples were also
included.

The event made a lasting impact on the participant David Norenberg, a
creator of student interfaith programs at St. Lawrence University in New
York, who said, “I don't think I will look at a globe or a map the
same way… The world has become infinitely more personal.” 
Christa Reynolds, creator of
‘Enlighten’
the game of World Religions, who served as a group leader for the
program, called the experience a “wonderful adventure” in
spiritual discovery and service.

Dr. Deepali Bhanot, a professor of Sanskrit at Delhi University and a
program guide, remarked that the uniqueness of the program was in the
willingness of the volunteers to work in service while learning about each
other’s culture. “It was my best new year experience ever!”
Shared Robert Hu of Taiwan, who holds the title of Mr. University from an
international contest he attended earlier in the year. “We visited
temples, mosques and churches and listened to their stories, discussed their
beliefs, histories and offered prayers. Harmony could be felt
everywhere.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 30th, 2005 at 9:11 pm and is filed under Groups and Gatherings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.