Peacemakers celebrate URI 9th Anniversary with interfaith leaders

The Peacemakers' Circle -- a Cooperation Circle or CC of the United Religions Inititative (URI)-- in partnership with the URI Southeast Asia-Pacific regional office had a beautiful gathering with interfaith leaders and friends on June 25 entitled People for Peace in celebration of URI's 9th Anniversary of its Charter-signing. Around 24 interfaith leaders and representatives braved the Manila typhoon signal warning to grace us their presence to renew bonds and friendships. Old and new friends happily exchanged their interfaith stories and lessons with each other.

The celebration opened with interfaith prayers from Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Tibetan Buddhist, Unitarian Universalist, and Brahma Kumaris traditions. We were also blessed with the presence of Shumei and Jeung San Do spiritual movement representatives. Indigenous flute music as prayer was played by Orlan de Guzman Jr. in the background.

The afternoon involved the screening of URI videos and a sharing on how the URI seed was planted in the Philippines. Personal stories about working with URI and experiences with CC members from around the globe were shared by URI Staff and CC members engaging the guests about this extraordinary global initiative and encouraging them to partner in our programs.

We also celebrated the birthday of Shakun Vaswani, PCFI vice president and URI-SEAP regional coordinator.

URI SEAPac and the Peacemakers Circle CC is looking forward to strengthening relationships and its network through continued interfaith dialogue with the faith groups present and those who could not make it due to other commitments.

Next year, on the tenth anniversary of the URI, we are planning to come up with a big celebration to highlight our work on interfaith dialogue and peace building on the ground.














Please click or copy and paste : http://uriseap.ning.com/photo/albums/uri-seapac-celebrates-uri-9th for more photos on the event.

(reported by Sarah Queblatin, URISEAP programs coordinator)