Communication Bridges Variations on the ninth Annual Interfaith Solidarity March

 

Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Scientologists, and members of different faiths and beliefs or none affirmed their dedication to interfaith dialogue in June on the ninth Annual Interfaith Solidarity March in Los Angeles. Marchers gathered at St. Basil Catholic Church on Wilshire Blvd. The driving pressure behind the march and the motion is Dr. Arik Greenberg, founder and president of the Institute for Non secular Tolerance, Peace and Justice (IRTPJ), which sponsors the annual exercise. Rev. Olivia McDuff of the Church of Scientology Worldwide, who served as grasp of ceremonies, acknowledged Dr. Greenburg for his dedication to bringing the Los Angeles interfaith neighborhood collectively within the identify of freedom of worship or perception whereas rejecting all efforts to foment battle and hatred amongst faiths. 

Marchers gathered at St. Basil Catholic Church for a rally earlier than taking off down Wilshire Blvd. to advertise their trigger. “Step exterior your consolation zone,” was the problem delivered by IRTPJ board member Mohammed Khan. He urged these marching to hunt out and stroll with somebody they didn’t already know—somebody of one other religion than their very own—and to be taught one thing about that particular person and from that particular person: What they’re involved about, what’s vital to them. That’s one of the best ways to interrupt down partitions and acquire understanding, he stated.

As in different marches, a megaphone-wielding chief urged these collaborating to shout slogans. However on this march, the message was one in all uniting, not protest, with the aim of encouraging all Angelenos to work collectively for peace.

Understanding amongst various communities is especially vital when there are false narratives in circulation. Aziza Hasan, Govt Director of New Floor: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, spoke of simply how insidious false data might be. She shared her story of the extraordinary backlash she and different Muslims skilled after the terrorist assaults of 9/11. 

“As Individuals and Muslims, we had been upset and grieving together with everybody else,” she stated, however due to their religion and ethnicity, Muslims grew to become the goal. She described how her interfaith colleagues “made a human chain round us…they had been there for us when it mattered.” They demanded individuals deal with Muslim Individuals with respect. The assist she obtained from individuals of varied faiths bolstered her and affirmed the significance of the interfaith motion.

On the finish of the march, Father Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, moderated a panel dialogue on the disaster in Gaza and Israel. 

Fr. Smith defined why he’s not working for “tolerance.” Tolerance implies placing up with somebody or one thing. “We’re definitely a lot past merely placing up with different religions,” he stated “and we must always permit ourselves to be open to different faiths. Permit them to nurture us as we nurture and encourage them.”

Though no consensus was reached with the panel dialogue, Fr. Smith was not discouraged. “We don’t at all times agree. However we should not let our disagreements stop us from working collectively for the higher good,” he stated.

The Los Angeles Interfaith March for Peace and Justice coalition is the biggest coalition of interfaith marches on the planet. The Institute for Non secular Tolerance, Peace, and Justice serves because the coalition’s worldwide lead. Dr. Greenburg’s mission for the march is “to promote non secular tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and training about religions of the world as a pathway to world peace.”

That message could also be extra related in the present day than ever earlier than. 

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