Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
At a time of deep divisions in the world, leaders of different faiths gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday to pray for peace.
According to what was stated in the daily United Nations news bulletin, of which we received a copy via e-mail today, the event was held yesterday at the entrance to the United Nations building in front of the knotted pistol statue - which has become a symbol of the organization's commitment to world peace - in the presence of United Nations staff, members of the diplomatic corps and visitors to the United Nations headquarters United.
Religious representatives offered prayers and the attendees observed a minute of silence to remember the vulnerable people affected by conflict around the world.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the gathering comes at a unique moment:
"On the last Friday of Ramadan, while Christians celebrate Passover, Jews celebrate the end of Passover, and Sikhs enjoy Vaisakhi."
He commented, "Even the calendar sends a message of unity."
The Secretary-General added:
Today, at this blessed moment of interfaith renewal, let us raise our hearts and voices for peace - our guiding star and our supreme purpose. Let us hold fast to the common faith that unites the human family. Let us come together as communities and countries. Let us pray for peace.
Mr. Guterres stressed that peace is needed today more than ever before, as wars and conflicts cause poverty and hunger and force millions to flee their homes.
He added that the entire planet suffers from climate chaos, and even peaceful countries face "equality gaps and political polarization."

"let's forgive"
Gambia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lamine Diba, read Surat Al-Fatihah and then recited prayers of blessings. Following the event, he spoke to UN News, saying that it is very important for the world to coexist in peace and went on to say:
"Let us be tolerant. Through tolerance we can achieve international peace and security. Let us embrace each other as brothers and sisters in this world."
UN News also spoke to Dr. Chloe Breyer, an Episcopal priest in New York City and executive director of the New York Center for Interfaith Cooperation who has prayed for peace alongside her interfaith counterparts.
"It is an opportunity to express world peace and religious traditions to be followed. In doing so, it is very much in line with the goals of the United Nations," she said.

Women, peace and security
Priestess Chloe Breyer and Priest Doyun Park - the representative of Buddhism - are the only two religious leaders who participated in the ceremony, which prompted them to reflect on their role in world peace.
Priest Chloe Breyer said, "When I think of the United Nations and religious leaders, I think of [Security Council] Resolution 1325 and the need for more women around the peace tables, religious or not."
She continued, "It is definitely something our world needs right now. As you think about Afghanistan and Iran and the changes that are happening in our country, it's so important to have the voices of religious and non-religious women at the table."

"Let's celebrate what unites us"
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, representative of the Sikh community and executive director of the Religion and Society Program at the Aspen Institute - an international non-profit organization - said the fact that people from different religious traditions are united for peace provides a powerful lesson for humanity.
He added, "A lot of times, we use religion to divide each other...and we see the pain of that all over the world. What I love about the idea of coming together during the celebrations of many different communities is that these celebrations express so much in common and so much that unites us."

Building bridges of understanding
Speaking at the closing of the event, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, described the event as a beautiful moment of harmony.
He said that he demonstrates how to work in solidarity, and how to show sympathy and mutual respect, stressing his continued support for efforts aimed at "building bridges of understanding, not walls of hatred and division."
It is noteworthy that the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations works to enhance understanding and cooperation between cultures.