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“Even the calendar is sending a message of unity,” he remarked.
“Today, at this blessed second of renewal throughout faiths, allow us to carry our hearts and voices for peace – our guiding star and our most valuable purpose.”
Now greater than ever
Mr. Guterres stated peace is required at the moment greater than ever earlier than, as struggle and battle unleash devastating poverty and starvation, forcing tens of thousands and thousands from their houses.
The total planet is battling local weather chaos, and even peaceable international locations are going through “gaping inequalities and political polarization”, he added.
“Let us maintain agency to the widespread religion that unites the human household,” he stated. “Let us come collectively as communities and international locations. Let us pray for peace.”
Incorporating many religions
The ceremony was held on the Visitors’ Plaza on the UN Secretariat in entrance of the long-lasting Knotted Gun sculpture, which has turn into an emblem of the Organization’s dedication to world peace.
UN employees, members of the diplomatic group, and guests on the UN have been amongst these in attendance.
Representatives from main religions led prayers, and a second of silence was noticed to incorporate these from secular backgrounds and to recollect weak individuals worldwide affected by battle.
Drawing on custom
UN News spoke to Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, an Episcopal Priest in New York City, who represented Christianity. She was honoured to be praying for peace alongside counterparts from completely different faiths.
“It is a chance to precise the long-time sources for peace that world spiritual traditions have to supply and in so doing, very a lot are in step with the targets of the United Nations,” she stated.
Women, peace, and safety
Rev. Dr. Breyer and Rev. Doyeon Park, a Won Buddhist, have been the one ladies spiritual leaders collaborating within the ceremony, which prompted her to replicate on their function in peace globally.
“When I consider the United Nations and girls religion leaders, I consider [Security Council] resolution 1325 and the necessity for girls round – and extra ladies round – the peace tables, be they spiritual ladies or not,” she stated.
“It’s definitely one thing that our world wants proper now. And you consider Afghanistan, Iran, and modifications which might be occurring in our personal nation, and the way important it’s to have ladies’s voices of religion, and no religion, on the desk.”
Celebrate what unites us
The truth that individuals from completely different spiritual traditions united for peace offers a strong lesson for humanity, stated Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, the Sikh consultant and Executive Director of the Religion and Society Program on the Aspen Institute, a global non-profit group.
“Often in our society, we use faith to divide each other throughout particular person strains and group strains, and we see the ache of that all around the world,” he stated.
“What I really like about this concept of coming collectively throughout holidays is that so many various communities are celebrating; they’re reflecting with a lot in widespread and a lot that unites us.”
Living in concord
Delivering the closing remarks, the High Representative of the UN Alliance for Civilizations (UNAOC), Miguel Ángel Moratinos, described the ceremony as an exquisite second of concord, “particularly throughout these tough occasions which might be difficult all of humanity.”
He stated it demonstrated find out how to mobilize motion and act in solidarity, and find out how to present compassion and mutual respect.
The UNAOC promotes cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, and Mr. Moratinos underlined continued help for efforts that goal to “construct bridges of understanding, not partitions of hate and division.”
