An inter-religious, inter-spiritual peace prayer event, the Symphony of Peace Prayers is a global celebration of humanity's diversity and oneness, bringing together people of all faiths, traditions and backgrounds in a common wish and prayer for peace and harmony. First held in 2005 at Japan’s Mt. Fuji Sanctuary, the event has been held in conjunction with Global Peace Meditation and Prayer Day/World Shift Day since 2007.
The Symphony of Peace Prayers is hosted each year by Byakko-Shinko Kai, an organization dedicated to world peace. The founder of Byakko-Shinko Kai, Masahisa Goi, is perhaps best known as the creator of the universal prayer for world peace, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
The event has been celebrated worldwide since 2008. In 2011, ceremonies and prayer gatherings commemorating the event took place in more than 50 countries throughout the world, and more than a million people took part.
During the May 19 event, Mussie presented the peace medal of URI Africa to Masami Saionji, Chairperson of Byakko-Shinko Kai and the World Peace Prayer Society in recognition of the outstanding effort of the two organizations in promoting a culture of peace in the world.
In his peace message, Ambassador Mussie highlighted the importance of promoting the teaching of the Golden Rule -- “Treat others the way you want to be treated” – and for engaging others through interfaith cooperation and inter-religious, inter-cultural constructive dialogue. These, he said, respect and honor the diversity of religious, cultural and spiritual traditions and enable the world’s people to learn and appreciate both our differences and the common values that bind us together.
Ambassador Mussie also called upon the leaders of the world to abolish nuclear weapons and to create a nuclear weapons-free world.
As in the past, the 2013 Symphony of Peace Prayers at the Fuji Sanctuary included a large-scale ceremony of praying for peace in each country and region on Earth. Flag-bearers carrying large national flags entered the Prayer Field and formed a beautiful array of color. Each flag was then presented on stage as the participants prayed for peace in that country, using the country’s own national language.
URI’s Executive Director, the Rev. Canon Charles P. Gibbs, took part in the 2012 ceremony, and the Rev. James Channan, URI’s Coordinator for Pakistan, attended the event in 2007.
While in Japan, Ambassador Mussie paid a visit to Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, President of Mayors for Peace International, an organization of mayors committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons and creating a peaceful world. The two discussed ways to strengthen and enhance the working partnership between Mayors for Peace and URI.
Ambassador Mussie also met with the director of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and gave a talk on the issue of peace and interfaith harmony to the students of Hiroshima University.
