Walk with me: Faith groups make silent public call for peace

Faith organizations will march in solidarity with each other through the streets of London on Sunday June 23, in a silent call for peace.

Faced with the escalation of violence and loss of life in more than 100 wars and armed conflicts around the world, notably in Palestine and Israel, Sudan, Ukraine and Myanmar, the silent vigil aims to transcend borders religious and cultural.

Facilitated by Plum Village UK and Quakers in Britain, this second peace march, held by popular demand, reflects a wave of desperate and heartbreaking calls for peace here in London, inspiring similar events in Washington on the lawns from the Capitol, Grand Park and Los Angeles. and France the same day.

It reflects a common and unified commitment to non-violence, reconciliation and just peace, and represents the values ​​of all spiritual communities.

The march, open to all, will commemorate those killed during the war, alongside a call for an end to the massacres.

Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists and many other faiths are expected to join the march from 3pm to 5pm, from Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square and back, weaving a tale of peace between the city’s major political landmarks.

Without flags, signs, slogans or chants, participants will dress in mourning attire of their choice to remember the loss of life caused by war, carrying white handmade flowers as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in the culture of a more peaceful world.

The slow meditative walk will stop at key moments and landmarks to hold a vigil and offer prayers from a diverse group of grassroots religious representatives, primarily women, united in calling for a different way to resolve conflicts and wars.

Prayers will be offered by Lakshmi Vyas (Hindu), Shahin Bekhradni (Zoroastrianism), Maureen Goodman (Brahma Kumaris), Islam (TBC), Rabbi Rebecca Birk (Judaism), Rev. Sarah Farrow (Christian), Jinali Meisheri (Jain ), Mandip Singh. (Sikh)), Buddhist (Sr Dao Nghiem), Koje Freemantle (Baha’i).

The Plum Village Buddhist community will send monks from France for the event, which hopes to attract thousands of people and is now supported by leading aid organisations, Christian Aid and the Salvation Army.

Rehena Harilall, co-organizer of Plum Village UK, said: “The silent nature of the march reflects our current state at the grassroots. There are simply no more words to express our anger and sorrow.

“This march symbolizes our commitment, each step connecting our broken hearts, united in hope for peace built on the foundations of love, compassion, justice and respect for all life.”

Judith Baker, co-organizer of Quakers in Britain, said: “We walk together because we share a deep love of creation and a common universal language of peace.

“We share the horror of the desecration of creation that war brings. War is the failure to love our neighbors as ourselves; the failure to seek and pursue peace; failure of dialogue and diplomacy; failure to respect fundamental principles of international law and ethical standards.

“But the possibility of peace is always with us, based on love, compassion and respect for all life. We urge everyone to join us in working together for peace.”