FOLLOW US
Jerusalem Interfaith Forum Offers Online Prayers
Written by Dr. Nurit Hirschfeld, president, UPF-Israel
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Jerusalem, Israel—During this season of high Holy Days celebrated by Israel’s four main religions, the Jerusalem Interfaith Forum for Understanding and Cooperation among Religions held an online prayer for good health and strength for all humanity in these days of the pandemic.
Two religious leaders from each of the four major religions—Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Druze religion—offered their thoughts and prayers at the April 26, 2020 meeting, which was led by the UPF-Israel team.
Mr. Hod Ben Zvi, the chair of UPF-Israel, opened the meeting with words of UPF founder Dr. Sun Myung Moon emphasizing the core values of religions—living for the sake of others.
The religious leaders called for self-reflection under the circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic. This is the time to get closer to God and to repent for being far from Him and for not loving human beings that He created, they said. They pointed out that the virus attacks human beings regardless of their color or religion—thus teaching us that we are all of equal value and need to unite our efforts. Through unity we can defeat the virus, they said.
Some of them, who work closely with their community, emphasized the loneliness of elder people and called for humanitarian support for those in need.
The meeting concluded with four prayers offered by the representatives of each religion. Prayers were offered in Hebrew and Arabic, and verses from the Quran, the Bible, and from the Druze traditional prayers were read aloud.
The speakers were Bishop Munib Younan, Lutheran Church, Jordan, and the Holy Land; Sheik Dr. Saliman Hatib, educator and school principal, Yanuch; Rabbi Dr. Edgar Nof, Netan-ya Community and Bridges of Hope; and Sheik Samir Aasi, educator, Acre.
Prayers were offered by Father Yacoubos Abu-Aqel, Arabic Orthodox Community, Jdaide-Maker; Sheik Qadi Akhsan Halabi, Druze Religious Court, Dalyet El-Carmel; Rabbi Yaakov Luft, European Communities, Mevaseret Zion; and Sheik Saleh Ryan, head of the Local Council, Kabul.
The prayer meeting was led by the UPF-Israel team: Dr. Nurit Hirschfeld, president; Mrs. Adi Sasaki, vice president; and Mr. Luke Weiler Hill, secretary general.
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
India
UPF-India Observes UN International Days of Peace and Non-Violence
Sikkim, India—The UN International Days of Peace and Non-Violence were observed with a poetry competition and programs held in several states.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
IAYSP-DR Congo Observes UN International Day of Peace
DR Congo—IAYSP-Democratic Republic of Congo observed UN International Day of Peace 2023 and appointed a Youth Ambassador for Peace.
Peru
UPF-Peru Observes UN International Day of Peace
Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru observed the UN International Day of Peace 2023 in the auditorium of the Casa Ramón Castilla.