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A beautiful ceremony on “Symphony of Peace Prayers 2009” was observed in Lahore, Pakistan on the 17th of May. There were 125 participants that included children, young women and men of various religious gathered under one roof who offered prayers for peace in the world. Allama Syed Ayaz Zaheer Hashmi, Chairman of the National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony (Government of Pakistan) was the Chief Guest, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Grand Imam of the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore was the Guest of Honor, and Fr James Channan OP, Regional Coordinator of the United Religions Initiative, Pakistan presided over. This peace event was jointly organized by the United Religions Initiative Pakistan and National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony (Government of Pakistan).
This ceremony was observed to express deep union and solidarity with the Byakko Shinko Kai which had organized the Symphony of Peace Prayers 2009 at Fuji Sanctuary in Japan. In this ceremony in Japan more than 10,000 gathered from various religions to offer prayers for peace in the world. During the ceremony in Lahore, deep appreciation and thanks were extended to Mrs. Masami Saionji, Chairperson, Byakko Shinko Kai, and her dedicated team for taking the initiative of organizing prayers for peace. 
After the recitation of the Holy Bible and Holy Quran, Yuel Bhatti introduced the program. Fr James Channan read the message of Mrs. Masami Saionji, which she had sent on this special occasion in Pakistan. Sr. Sabina Rifat, URI Women Coordinator Pakistan read the message of Mrs. Saionji in Urdu – the national language of Pakistan. Her message was received with great admiration and appreciation. In her message, Mrs. Saionji said, "This momentous event (in Lahore) signals the arrival of a new religious approach – an approach which, I believe, will spread throughout the world…..In the past, most of the world’s spiritual leaders have focused their power, wisdom, and intuition solely on lightening the sufferings of their own members and their countries. All other matters were left untouched, as though there were 'someone else’s problem.' In past times, this ‘no-touch' approach has been the most comfortable path to follow. Now, however, that approach is open to us no longer. I deeply believe that, from now on, the only approach that can truly resolve the world’s problems is for leaders of all faiths to come together and pray for solutions to all the world’s problems." Mrs. Saionji also admired the gathering at Lahore while saying, “I deeply respect each one of you here today. How wonderful you are, and what noble hearts you possess! You come here not to benefit yourselves, but to be of service to the world. And as you are intently praying together here today, you are joined by 10,000 participants in Japan, at Fuji Sanctuary.”
During the colorful prayer ceremony in Lahore, Sr. Sabina Rifat, URI Women Coordinator Pakistan, recited two poems which she had written for this occasion. Miss. Naseem Sadiq, URI youth leader, directed and performed two peace dances on songs with a group of young girls. These dances on prayerful songs were so moving that they mesmerized the audience and they were in deep ecstasy by these very moving and touching dances. Sr. Genevieve presented a thought provoking speech on the role of women in peacebuilding. She said that God had created both men and women to work for peace and spread the message of love and acceptance for all people. She said women have an imperative role in peacebuilding in our society. She also urged the government of Pakistan to spend more budget on education and reduce budget on defense. This education must be of peace and respect for the people of all faiths.
A beautiful ceremony while holding flags of various countries was performed by children and women. All participants were also given flags of various countries in their hands and prayed “May Peace Prevail in….. Japan, Pakistan, USA, Australia, Ethiopia, Italy…. and in fact for all countries and that …. May Peace Prevail On Earth! Allama Zaheer Hashmi, Chief Guest, in his greeting message, highly appreciated this prayer ceremony. He came all the way from Islamabad to participate in this program. He said, such events are very much needed in our country as we are confronted with very serious crises of fanaticism. This program manifests our unity and solidarity with each other that we want to see peace in the world. He testified that Pakistan was not created by the Muslims only but other religious minorities and especially Christians played a great role in the independence of Pakistan. He criticized the radical approach of some Muslim fanatic religious leaders such as of Maulvi Sufi Muhammad, who is not in favor of the education of women and does not believe in the parliament and democracy. He said the teaching of Sufi are against the spirit of Islam. Hashmi said we want to see a liberal Pakistan. Now is the time of interfaith dialogue and peace. We see excellent examples of interfaith harmony from the Pope, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and United Nations. He said, I believe we are setting a new model of interfaith dialogue and peace and we will make it a part of our education in the schools and that our government is committed in promoting interfaith harmony and peace.
He expressed gratitude to Mrs. Saionji for sending her message and for organizing Symphony of Peace Prayers in Japan. He also expressed thanks to Fr James and said that National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony will keep on working jointly with URI.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said, “I have very profound memories of Symphony of Peace Prayers 2007, while I was there along with Fr James Channan. It was a great spiritual experience to witness more than 10,000 people gathered at Fuji Sanctuary to pray for peace. He further said that today we have gathered here to join the people at Fuji Sanctuary and pray for the world peace. He said I have set an example of interfaith harmony by inviting Fr James Channan and people of other religions at Badshahi Mosque where we prayed together. He expressed his thanks to Mrs. Masami and Byakko Shinko Kai for organizing symphony of peace prayers at Fuji and committed himself to promote interfaith harmony and peace in Pakistan.
In his presidential remarks, Fr James Channan congratulated all the participants who had come from different places to join the ceremony of Symphony of Peace Prayer. It is a wonderful manifestation of our union with many countries where people have gathered to pray for the world peace. To offer prayer is at the heart our religions. In prayers we put ourselves before the Almighty, whom we may call - God, Allah, Bhagwan, Yahweh or whatever the name you might give to that Supreme authority. We pray to that Almighty, praise him, and seek his protection and blessings. So let us always keep on praying for peace in the world and I believe God will hear us. He also expressed his profound and heartfelt gratitude for Mrs. Saionji and the Byakko Shinko Kai for organizing Symphony of Peace Prayer and for sending a very inspiring message for the peace ceremony in Lahore. He emphasized the need of dialogue among all religions. He urged the government of Pakistan to put chapters on the basic beliefs of various religions and on interfaith peace and dialogue. He appealed to the electronic and print media to give much more coverage to the interfaith dialogue and event events.
Fr James thanked all those made this Symphony of Peace Prayers and reality. It was so good to see that the hall in which this program took place was packed to its capacity.
Both electronic and print media gave prominent coverage to our “Symphony of Peace Prayers 2009” in Pakistan. Five TV channels: Geo TV, Citi 42, PTV News, Channel Five and Express News gave coverage to our event, as well as several newspapers printed news and photos of this event.
Reported by:
Fr James Channan OP
URI Regional Coordinator Pakistan
20 May, 2009 |
