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Daily Prayers: CCs Approved 2007
A selection of prayers representing Cooperation Circles approved in 2007 (Day 351 to 334).
Day 351:
There is also a CC from Multiregion approved on July 11th, 2007. It is Global Interfaith Network for Golden Rule CC. Today we received a message from dear Charles Gibbs saying: “We in URI are called to hold each other in our hearts and in our prayers and meditation.” Let us respond to this call in support of this CC.
Its Purpose is: “To practice in our daily life and to promote the Golden Rule through out the world as a guiding principle of life and as a means of promoting the culture of peace and interfaith harmony.”
This is what we learn about the rationale and commitment of cc members: “The Golden Rule, which is clearly stated in different religions and sacred texts, is the password and key to a better world. All of our members are active in interfaith activists. Most of them are GC of URI and the rest are staff of URI. We commit to use the Golden rule as a pass word in our work of interfaith harmony and building and a culture of peace.”
Our interfaith relationship and work needs a solid basis. This basis comes from our own religious background. There is a shared golden rule: treat others as you like to be treated. If we followed it or use it as password as CC members say we would be closer to peace. Let us pray/meditate to support this cc in their effort to make the Golden Rule known and practiced.
May members of the Global Interfaith Network for Golden Rule CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Multiregion!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 350:
Today we will pray/meditate to support The Association of Sohag Community Development and Caring the children of special Needs (SCDA).
The Purpose of this Cooperation Circle approved for membership on July 11th,
2007 is: “finding a better future through improving the community's conditions.”
This is what we know about their work: “The small Muslim community in the city of Sohag is on a daily cooperation with the majority of Coptic Christian in this City. Therefore, we can say we have experienced countless interfaith encounters between Muslims and Christians. To highlight particular experience, once we arranged Ramadani Iftar (Feast) attended by Christian and Muslim friends, after we had our food we spontaneously started to talk about fasting in Islam and Christianity. It was great experience. The atmosphere was unique; we felt how close we are. Same experience happened when we attended Christmas Eve. This really urged us to enhance the spiritual relationship between Muslim and Christian in the City of Sohag.”
I have found this information in internet: Sohag Located about 72 miles south of Asyut, the City of Sohag is the capital of the Sohag governorate. It is also a major Coptic Christian center for Upper Egypt. There are two important Coptic Monasteries (White and Red) just outside town. It is beautiful to imagine cc members developing their work in different parts of the world facing challenges and opportunities according to their local reality and culture. It is a gift that we share a common goal, preamble and principles that embrace us all together. In this incredible union let us pray/ meditate to support this CC in Egypt.
May members of the Association of Sohag Community Development and Caring the children of special Needs ( SCDA) fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Egypt!
May Peace prevail in Middle East and North Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 349:
I invite you to pray/ meditate to support Mercy CC.
This Cooperation Circle also approved for membership on July 11th, 2007 was created with the purpose: “To show solidarity with less fortunate people and empower them through non-formal education, vocational training, and recreation activities, thus to prepare them for better future.”
This is what CC members shared with us: “We are group of adults and youth that share same goals and aspirations. We are dedicated to relieving human suffering, developing community and volunteer work to make our world a better place. We are willing to stand by the less fortunate youth and empower them through non-formal education, vocational training and creating hope for better future. We dream to serve the youth with the spirit of mutual respect despite the race, social class and beliefs. MERCY CC Activities from March 2007 till June 2007.
1. Football Game Competition for groups of youth from different ages at Schniller School. This activity involved 100 players and the winner team got a tournament Award.
2. Easter Activity which we arranged at Schniller School with a group of German volunteers. The activity was an Egg painting competition for the school children to improve their painting talent.
3. A constructive meeting was held at Schniller School Alumni Club to strengthen relationships and to discuss cooperation issues and our CC upcoming projects.”
It is great that members of this CC have not only built bridges among diverse religions but also found ways to bridge among generations to serve in cooperation with Theodore Schniller School (inside orphanage school). I am sure students are also learning by witnessing the collaborative spirit of CC members. Let us support them so that they feel strong to continue their good work.
May members of Mercy CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Jordan!
May Peace prevail in Middle East and North Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 348:
Let us pass to support the CCs approved on July 11th, 2008. The first of them is Ahle-Aman Society- AAS´S.
The purpose of this Cooperation Circle is the: “Promotion of Peace and Harmony Initiative among various religious groups with secular approaches at national and international levels.”
This is what we learnt about this CC in the application: “This group has had long time association with the Gandhi Bhawan a renowned centre for art and culture in Bhopal and with many social activists and their activities. We will work for health, hygiene, local-self government and interfaith dialogue to create a just and peaceful society.”
It is good that CC members identify what they would do to archive their goals so that they can focus. The work of this CC is really focused on important issues and I am sure they will really make a difference. Let us support them.
May members of Ahle- Aman Society fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in India!
May Peace prevail in Asia!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 347:
Also on June 13th CC Approval Committee accepted DR. T.D. Singh Science and Spirituality Cooperation Circle.
This Cooperation Circle was formed: “To honor the memory of Dr. T. D. Singh by encouraging World Wide Science and Religion Dialogue and inviting all persons who are open to reflection and dialogue on the relationship between science and religion.”
This is what we learnt about members and plans of this new CC: “Most of the members are already engaged in integrating science and religions and dialogue around the World. We have the experience in conducting science and religions dialogues around the world, organizing international conferences, and writing and publishing books on science and religions. Future hopes: Meetings via teleconferencing so that we can plan globally but act locally.”
When we talk about dialogue we usually imagine people in dialogue but there is a lot to be done in promoting dialogue among cultures, disciplines, with the Earth. It has to do with making different approaches closer, to complement rather than confront. I can clearly see Dr. T. D. Singh as a model in his search to bring Science and Spirituality together for a fuller understanding of the world we live in. Let us support cc members with our prayers / meditation so that they can make their hope real:
May members of Dr. T.D. Singh Science and Spirituality Cooperation Circle fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in the Dialogue between Science and Spirituality!
May Peace prevail in Multiregion!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 346:
Today we will gather our spiritual strength to support UNISOES – BRASIL.
This Cooperation Circle was created: “To promote the union between all the segments and work for the common good.”
This is what members share with us in the application: “UNISOES-BRASIL was born in 1989. In 1990 we organized a Public Event in the Convention Centre of Salvador (BA), “Union (cooperation) for a Better World” with 800 participants. In 1999 the First URI Meeting in Brasil – in Itatiaia City, UNISOES-BRASIL was invited to participate with representatives from Salvador and São Paulo and was inspired by the vision of URI Charter. In August of 2005, after participating in Inter religious Events in Salvador (BA), the Archdiocese of Salvador invited UNISOES-BRASIL to participate in the Meeting of Religions of the city with the representative of the Bento XVI Pope – Monsignor Michael Fitzgerald (Secretary to the Pontifical Advice for the Inter-religious Dialogue of the Vatican).We are proud of our successful history of 18 years of continuity. Our main hope to the future is to promote a real integration among all the spiritualist, philosophic, scientific and religious organizations. This is our mission.”
Eighteen years of continued interfaith work is, of course, a good reason to be proud. It is important that the events that we may organize are accompanied by concrete, persistent cooperative work. This is how interfaith relations consolidate and really integrate. Let us pray / meditate to support UNISOES in its mission.
May members of UNISOES – BRASIL fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Brasil!
May Peace prevail in Latin America!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 345:
Let us move from Malawi to Uganda to support Inter-Religious Dialogue Programme (INTERDIP – UGANDA) also approved for membership on June 13th, 2008 during our face to face CC Approval Meeting in Antwerp. This Cooperation Circle was created: “To promote Peace through Inter-religious Dialogue, Peace Building Activities, and to promote Peaceful, Cultural harmonious co-existence.”
A very complete report accompanies the application. INTERDIP is a bridge building organization. INTERDIP respects the differences among religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions. The Motto of INTERDIP says “Unity in Diversity for Peace and Progress”. This is what we learn about the activities they develop: “We have a Program for Women known as Inter-religious Women’s Dialogue (IWD). Inter-religious Women’s Dialogue (IWD - UGANDA), is an Interfaith Women Organization which started in 1998 here in Kampala. Our main objective is to advocate for Interfaith Religious Values, women’s and children’s rights, economic empowerment of women, peace building skills, Leadership skills, family life education basically HIV/AIDS among community women of the target area. This is done through sensitization, training seminars and inter-religious Dialogue talks.
Through Dialogue Women are given chance to discuss issues of their own concern and they take action or implement together the outcome. We are operating from Kampala and Wakiso Districts. IWD embraces Women from nine (9) religious beliefs found in Uganda in general these are Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, Seventh day Adventists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Bahais and Sikhs. We promote the spirit of Volunteerism to participate in Community activities like counseling and Mobilizing Women and co-ordination Women Faith Community representatives.”
The creation of safe spaces for dialogue and development is an important service to a community and the World. Women don’t always have it. I invite you to pray/ meditate to support this wonderful space for women in Kampala and Wakiso.
May members of Inter- Religious Dialogue Programme fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Kampala and Wakiso!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 344:
Our daily prayer/ meditation is directed to Africa today. Mc Donald Sembereka has asked us to pray for Peace in Zimbabwe and we will support CRECCAP in Malawi, also approved for membership on June 13th, 2008.
The purpose of this Cooperation Circle developing its work in Northern Malawi (Bwengu) is: “To expand the promotion of an enduring daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.”
This what members share with us: “We believe that URI Charter can make people unite, promote peace and culture and prevent domestic violence so we are committed to share it with different communities . We can make a change by changing our own behavior. We want to be the best example promoting peace building, human rights activities and transparency. We hope our people will benefit from our group and stop domestic violence.”
Yesterday we reflected about families, today we are alerted about domestic violence and called to start creating cultures of Peace, Justice and Healing in ourselves. I am sure you will appreciate this aim of self management to model for a community. This work reminds me of the wonderful quote from Mahatma Gandhi “We must be the change we want to see in the world.” Let us support it with our sincere prayer/meditation.
May members of CRECCAP CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 343:
On June 13th CC Approval Committee accepted Family Peace to Family Association application for membership.
The Purposes of this Cooperation Circle are:
* To assist and support the family to realize its impact and responsibility on their children’s character.
* To teach the youth to value and recognize the benefits of a good marriage.
* To build the capacity of married couples to appreciate and respect the institution of marriage.
* To build the capacity of the already existing institutions dealing with the issues arising the family in Ethiopia.
Members shared with us these highlights of their work: “We celebrated the International Family Day on May 15TH 2007 in collaboration with Interfaith Peace Building Initiative. More than eighty people including scholars, government bodies, students and representatives of different associations attended the program. Two model families were also awarded on the day. Friends & children of the awarded families shared their family life experiences which were very useful.”
Families form society. If we support families in their responsibility we will be helping society to develop healthily. Assisting communication in the families and among families is a superb contribution to society. Please join me in prayer/meditation to support this work in Ethiopia.
May members of Family Peace to Family Association CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Ethiopia!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 342:
There is clear synchronicity in what we do. Today Charles sent us a message asking for prayers for URI young leaders traveling to Mayapur to plan the Young Leaders Conference before the Assembly and for the five teams traveling to Ethiopia for the Moral Imagination workshop as we travel spiritually from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Ethiopia to support Modern Information Center For Persons With Disabilities. I invite that we unite in prayer/ meditation for the safe travels and fruitful work of these URI ambassadors to Mayapur and Ethiopia as we spiritually visit this Cooperation Circle in Ethiopia approved on June 13th, 2007.
Its Purpose is: “To empower persons with disabilities with information, to facilitate for persons with disabilities to look, search and use education and other materials for themselves.”
This is what members shared about their activities and their reasons to join URI: “We are attracted to URI because of its over all purpose and because it is a people’s movement. We value URI for what it is. Our Association is formed by Ethiopian who strongly believe on the need of caring and creating a better opportunity for people that are living with disabilities.”
We can talk about disabilities or about different abilities. In what we read about the work of this CC we understand that they recognize that persons with disabilities are persons with different abilities that need to be taken care of, especially by helping them search and use tools that will allow them develop their talents and possibilities.
May members of Modern Information Center for Persons with Disabilities fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Ethiopia!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 341:
Today we will be praying/ meditating to support United For Peace, DCR from Africa.
This Cooperation Circle also approved for membership on June 13th and our first CC in the Democratic Republic of the Congo expressed that its purpose is to: “Promote peace in our country and worldwide in spite of diversity of beliefs and religions.”
This is what members shared with us in their application: “We are all youth from various organizations here in the Democratic Republic of the Congo gathered for the cause of peace retrieval in our country and worldwide. Most of us are volunteers from various organizations and belong to different religions and beliefs. We are attracted to URI because of its work for peace building and reconciliation. As there was a civil war in our country we found the work of URI very important and relevant. We value very high the work of URI. Our association is formed by people who want to promote peace, unity and harmony.”
What a model! Here again youth wanting a change embraces URI, with its Preamble, Purpose and Principles in search of a needed change. There is a lot to do in a country after war; there is a lot to rebuild outside and inside. Let us pray/ meditate for these young women and men that have chosen to rebuild peace and reconciliation in their country supported by our global community.
May members of United for Peace, DRC CC fulfil their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in the Democratic Republic of the Congo!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 340:
Today we will pass to pray/ meditate to support the CCs that were approved for membership on June 13th, 2007. We will start with a CC from Asia: Nalamchira Sneha Sangamam, Mar Theophilus Training College, Trivandrum.
The Purpose of this Cooperation Circle is: “to make the youth instruments for peace in the ward of tension and terror. As teacher students we hope to carry the message of URI principles to many educational institutions in the near future. We will move as ambassadors of peace and harmony.”
This is what members share with us about their work: “During the past six months, we could work wonders. One of the first programs was a pilgrimage to three Religious Centers (Kurisumala and Kalimala) to learn more about other religions and it was a great experience for our teachers and students. Other programs include a meditation camp, common meal (celebration of Muslim Festival), Vishukkani (celebration of the Hindu festival), donation of 5000 rupees to two of our blind students, sponsoring of the URI Youth Camp at Trivandrum etc. We are thinking of adopting a Harijan Colony ( a slum) so as to support them in having a better living environment. Twenty three children died at a hospital after birth during one year due to unhygienic conditions. We have a project to clean this place, too.”
The strategy is impressive: training teachers in URI principles so that they become ambassadors of peace and harmony, children receive and enjoy the message, it expands from children to families and from families to communities and from communities to countries and from countries to the whole world. A small stone that, thrown to the water, causes movement of all the mass.
So that we see this is true I will tell you: Last Wednesday CC Approval Committee approved four cc from Asia, one of them, Anugraha CC was from South India. The newcomers told us: We were members of Nalamchira Sneha Sanganam CC during our student days. We were really inspired by this great movement and it was the URI Annual Youth Camp last year that changed our world view. We want to continue our work we decided we needed to form a CC of graduated teachers.
I agree with members of this CC, if we unite we can work wonders!!!! Let us support this initiative and we will also receive the impact of their good work.
May members of Nalamchira Sneha Sangaban CC in Mar Teophilus Training College fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in India!
May Peace prevail in Asia!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 339:
Today we will support Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment
(OCICE) in our prayers/ meditation.
This members of this Cooperation Circle approved on May 16th, 2007 share with us: “We educate, raise awareness and empower people to actively protect and preserve creation through responsible stewardship.”
This is what they have done to achieve their purpose:” One highlight is the Caring for Creation conference held annually in October. Last year, Matthew Fox was keynote. Enviro groups come and display and there are many workshops. We also have programs all during the year. We were recently involved with Step It Up (global warming) – marched and presented certificate to mayor of Huntington Beach thanking the City for signing on to the global warming pact. Five cities of 35 in Orange County have signed.
We will visit all city council meetings and encourage other cities to sign on. We have materials to give on how to save energy. Main focus now is global warming.
Other effort – opposing a toll road proposed to go thru last wilderness in Orange County - six lanes thru a state park. Plan originally approved. We have filed amicus brief and held prayer session under oak tree to raise consciousness. Now it’s all been postponed for two years and they don’t know what the final outcome will be.
We basically educate and empower people to do what they can. Each board member has a special interest and leads their efforts in those areas. Go out and give programs on: Toxics in home and yard, How to start enviro ministry in church, Basic stewardship things individuals can do, Creation spirituality, Energy issues, Transportation alternatives. We have 10 board members and 10 others who help with committees. We are always looking for more.”
It is clear that our planet is in danger and that we all need to do something to revert the situation. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve the Earth for present and future generations. As you read this CC has undertaken it with passion : they have been very active and have also tried hard to raise awareness which is really important if we want change.
Let us support their needed work
May Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment (OCICE) fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in California!
May Peace prevail in North America!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 338:
Today we will support Palestinian Peace Club.The purpose of this Cooperation Circle also approved on May 16th, 2007 is: “To achieve peace in the world and especially in the Middle East, to remove the differences between the peoples.”
This is what we learnt about it’s of activities: “We participated in many activities related to peace in Israel and Palestine. We work for peace and tolerance in the world and especially in Middle East to end the conflict in Middle East. We gathered as a group of peace and this group is small and we hope to expand this idea to more and more.”
There is need of work for peace and tolerance in all regions of the world. We know how much it is needed in the Middle East. I like that members say that they want to expand the “idea” more and more It is true that peace needs to grow in our minds and our hearts. We need to have in mind that peace is possible so that we can make peace. Let us be with them and encourage them to persevere.
May members of Palestinian Peace Club fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Palestinian Authority!
May Peace prevail in the Middle East and North Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 337:
We have prayed/ meditated to support all three CCs approved on April 11th, 2007. Let us pass to CCs approved on May 16th. First in the list a CC from India :Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi.
This Cooperation Circle was formed with the purpose of: “Promotion of Inter religious culture in the society – World Peace.”
This is what we know about this group: “This Centre was established in 1971.
Since then we were promoting interfaith programs as it was the time when India and Pakistan were engaged in an atrocious war. Interfaith prayer is a regular feature here. We have organized several multi-faith programs in this famous city of Cochin in Kerala. We have our own publication named “Mulya Sruthi” (Trumpet of Values) which is published every month and we devote several pages to propagate ideas of inter-religious harmony and peace. Ours is a big Centre running several academic programs and we generate our own income. We gather every month and we invite the public to join our prayers.We publish them in our monthly publication and in the local paper.”
One paragraph in our preamble says: We unite to celebrate the joy of blessings and the light of wisdom in both movement and stillness. We can see this balance (movement and stillness) in the activities presented by Chavara Cultural Centre: there is prayer and dedicated work.
Let us join them in prayer and support their work.
May members of Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in India!
May Peace prevail in Asia!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 336:
I invite you to pass from India to Pakistan to support Ambassadors of Love, Arts And Peace (ALAAP).
This Cooperation Circle was created with the Purpose: “To promote a culture of peaceful coexistence in Pakistan.”
This is what we learnt about their background and work: “Alaap was formed as a volunteer initiative of a group of artists, research workers and human rights activists. It was created as a research based cultural and interfaith organization in the backdrop of rising religious extremism and socio-political violence in the society of Pakistan. Alaap is a concerted response towards depleting cultural diversity of Pakistan. The research areas of Alaap mainly emphasize upon the cultural diversity. Alaap works in the following areas:
Advocacy activities of Alaap constitute upon Alaap interfaith Social Interaction, Alaap Peace Campaign and Peace through Young Artists’ Rejuvenation (PYAR). The first initiative is a focused intervention in the society of Pakistan to bridge the widening gulf between different religious and cultural communities and identities living in Pakistan. The annual events bring families of different religion to come under one roof, read their specific scriptures, share the pro-peace music and dine together. First time in the history of Lahore, the five communities celebrated their religious festivals collectively as a part of the above mentioned activities of Alaap.
Alaap Peace Campaign is a symbolic cultural response towards rising religious fanaticism and cultural exclusiveness in the society of Pakistan.It started with the Interfaith calendar, which was the first ever initiative of its kind in the history of Pakistan. Following the calendar, Alaap held three cultural events that invited people of different identities to debate on the papers presented in the events. The papers, written by renowned writers and intellectuals, explored the historic relation of Pakistani arts with peoples’ struggle for peace and rights. The Alaap Peace Campaign has yet to organize three remaining events of Theatre Festival, Painting Exhibition and Music Conference in the coming months.
The new initiative of Alaap, Peace through Young Artists’ Rejuvenation (PYAR), is a concerted effort to develop a network of young potential artists of the colleges and universities (and slum localities) of Lahore. Alaap is currently busy with its membership campaign in such youth. The members shall be educated and motivated through different events such as dialogues, seminars, workshops, exposure visits, film shows, trainings and other events besides different publications.
Trainings of Alaap is a project, funded by Norwegian Human Rights Fund. The one year training program envisions a selected group of 25-30 young artists to be trained in the human rights themes and values especially on the right to life, minority rights, equal right to cultural growth, civil and political rights etc.
Research section of Alaap is mainly working on the three concepts. The first is a focused study on “Peace and Sufism,” second is a research study, “Communities of Lahore” and third one is the community profile of “Bahar Colony of Lahore,” which is one of the oldest Christian localities of Lahore.
Amongst networks, Alaap is closely linked with the social and Human Rights organizations and literary/artistic forums. Besides that, Alaap is closely linked with Janniesses Musicales International (JMI), which is the world largest network of the organizations working on youth and music.
There is no much to say after reading the wide range of activities ALAAP is developing to achieve its purpose. Let us help them to keep on with their dedicated work with our prayer/ meditation and blessings.
May members of Ambassadors of Love, Arts and Peace CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Pakistan!
May Peace prevail in Asia!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 335:
From Africa to Asia we will join in prayer/meditation to support Rural Development Society CC.
This Cooperation Circle approved for membership on April 11th , 2007 aims: “to create an equalitarian civil society free from exploitation, oppression that involves all section of people irrespective of caste, creed, color or religion In the holistic development of the people for the people by the people for the creation of a just world.”
This is what members share about their beginnings and activities: “When we were thinking to celebrate 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movements, at that time we got introduced to URI, so it was very right moment and call for us to join the peace building organization URI. We are already working to break the barriers of caste system in India and creating communal space where we can all be supportive to each other in solving the issues that hold the Nation hostage. We work to promote enduring & communal harmony through Gandhi’s message of non violence. We try to achieve communal harmony through holistic development and bringing tribal people into the mainstream, taking care of handicapped, helping in the rehabilitation of Leprosy and breaking the barriers of caste system in India. We are also working with very backward tribe also known as “Dalit.”
We don’t need to go far to see pain. There is pain close, in our communities. It is important that we are alert, discover where pain is and see what we can do to address issues that affect our brothers and sisters.
Members of this CC have committed themselves to find solutions to the problems in their community. Let us support them
May members of Rural Development Society CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in India!
May Peace prevail in Asia!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 334:
Having strengthened our identity as URI Community deepening in our preamble, I invite you to start a new stage of our daily prayer/ meditation supporting all CCs approved for membership in 2007 after the production of our 2007 Community Directory. We will start with CCs approved on April 11th, 2007.
Let us spiritually travel to Nigeria, Africa to support Organization-Africa Christian Youths Development Fund.
This Cooperation Circle was created with the purpose: “to promote interfaith dialogue, religious harmony and active youth participation in the process of community change, social transformation and the building of bridges across cultural, religious and geographical boundaries.”
This is what we learn about this group in the application: “We heard about the URI during an international conference for youth held in Nigeria. In the URI we saw the hope for resolving the inter-religious crisis that is affecting Nigeria. The African Christian Youths Development fund (ACYD) started operating in 2003. In April 2005, during an international conference for youth (where people of different faiths came together), we met a Representative of the Interfaith Youth Corps. Dr. Katna was a resource person and he shared how the URI operates and what its vision is. In Nigeria, there are recurrent religious crises (especially between Muslims and Christians), and in the principles of the URI, we saw a possible way of dealing with such challenges. The URI to us looked like a credible platform in which young people could come together in the interfaith spirit. Another meeting was held in April 2006 with the Interfaith Youth Corps. As a result, we started Nigeria Interfaith Youth Forum. We subsequently met several times as Muslims, Christians and atheists. We noticed the common elements of our faiths and worked on projects together. We are pleased of the work we do because of the feedback we receive from communities in our state: ‘this kind of work has never been done before!,’ they say. After one of our events, we had officials coming to our office to thank for the work we’re doing. In the future we plan to continue promoting interfaith dialogue to overcome crisis and reduce misunderstanding amongst people of different religions. We also wish to engage in the community and meaningfully contribute to development e.g. through the community support scheme. We wish to continue encouraging young people volunteering in the community in an interfaith manner.”
That youth groups continue to join URI is good news. There is a lot to be done and as members of this CC share with us, there are still many places where interfaith cooperation hasn’t started yet. Pioneer work is always challenging. Let us support it with our prayer/ meditation:
May members of Organization- Africa Christian Youth Development Fund fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Nigeria!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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