URI Pakistan hosted a Symphony of Peace Prayers event in May, bringing together academics, religious leaders, NGO representatives, students, and others of both Christian and Muslim backgrounds from across the country. The event was one of many happening simultaneously in more than 86 countries to transcend differences of faith, ethnicity, or background, build on diversity, and collaborate for a peaceful world. Sharing in various kinds of prayer aids in understanding that all of us pray for peace, building bridges across perceived differences to the core of every spiritual faith and tradition.
Father James Channan, URI Regional Coordinator for Pakistan, says the event was a sign of hope that the people of Pakistan long for peace, and a testament to the work of CC members and their communities in working in ways big and small to heal the wounds of hate.
This event had special significance in Pakistan, where the media narrative more often focuses on cultural and religious division and violence. Though this is an unfortunate reality, Pakistani CC members and other event attendees spoke of hope, mutual respect, and tolerance for each other’s beliefs. Peacebuilding takes place in a multitude of ways, not only in the halls of policy. Communities and CC members engage in healing and reconciliation just by having conversations or traveling cross-country to pray with others of different faiths, as they did here.
Learn more about URI in Pakistan
Read about the URI community’s work on peacebuilding
