by Alanna McAuliffe
I had the privilege of being one of the students from Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst, who benefited from the knowledge and experience of a wide array of cultures and religions by crossing the East River.
My peers and I joined a U.N. assembly titled, “United for a Culture of Peace Through Interfaith Harmony.”
We filed into the general assembly hall, where we sat in the same seats occupied by distinguished delegates from over 190 countries.
While at the U.N., we had the opportunity to explore and experience prayers from faiths across the globe spoken in their native tongues as well as listen to uplifting musical performances, speeches from dignitaries and even witness the powerful and humbling flag ceremony, where the flag of each member nation was presented.
The gathering began with musical performances and opening remarks from the 67th U.N. General Assembly President Vuk Jeremic, a native of Serbia.
After this introductory segment, the bulk of the program began with speeches from various esteemed individuals, all focused on the topic of improving relations between religious and ethnic groups without resorting to violence.
One of the speakers, Ambassador T. Hamid Al-Bayati of Iraq, explained his thoughts on the matter. He said that if we were to step out of stereotypes and prejudice and venture to read the religious texts of all world religions, we would find the same message and the same God.
Likewise, Dr. Patrick Ho, secretary-general of the China Energy Fund Committee, opened his remarks with: “For peace to prevail on Earth, let peace prevail in us.”
He later went on to explain that our materialistic fascination with pleasure and convenience has led us astray from the true message of humility and sacrifice found in all major religions.
After the speeches, a beautiful segment dubbed the “Symphony of Peace Prayers,” allowed the audience to experience the devotion and spirituality that individuals from all across the globe share. From Buddhism to Hinduism to Zoroastrianism to Christianity, over 10 world religions were represented by individuals who shared prayers in their native tongue.
“Different prayers of different melodies make a most beautiful harmony,” said Masami Saionji, chairperson of the World Peace Prayer Society, in introducing the statement.
After the representatives completed their prayer, it became clear that, perhaps our regions or methods of prayer differed, but all religions focused on the common theme of peace and service.
As the assembly came to a close, the 193 flags of the U.N. Member States and two additional flags from Observer Missions were presented, and the entire audience wished each individual nation peace and love.
The symbolic World Peace Flag Ceremony left a great impression on many of us, as it forced us to realize that the world was an enormous place and that there were nations all across the globe, our neighbors that we hadn’t even heard of before.
For many, it was a chance to expand their horizons and envision a new world of peace and harmony.
As we filed out of the assembly hall and stepped out onto the city street, we were left with a newfound sense of appreciation and respect for those of other religions and cultures and even for our own.
It disabled negative reactions to those differing in culture and instead fostered unity and an open mind. Perhaps the entirety of the ceremony was summed up in a quote from Sathya Sai Baba, delivered in a speech by Kiran Bali, chair of the United Religions Initiative Global Council.
“There is only one religion – the religion of love,” she said. “There is only one language – the language of the heart. There is only one caste – the caste of humanity. There is only one God – and He is omnipresent.”
McAuliffe is a junior at Bishop Kearney H.S.