The United Nations International day of Peace Celebrations
Dedicated to the Children of the World
September 20, 21 & 22, 2013

International Day of Peace

The United Nations International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. The Interfaith Peace Project has celebrated Peace Day since September of 2006. This year it was celebrated at the Interfaith Peace Project, the Morgan Hill and Gilroy United Methodist Churches, the Islamic Center of the East Bay and The Antioch Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Interfaith Reflection & Prayer
The Interfaith Peace Project
Open House
September 20, 2013

stock.adobe.com  orbcat

We came, we reflected, we lit candles for peace.
We invoked peace in our lives, in our families,
in our neightborhoods, in our cities, in our state,
in our country, in our world, and in our universe.
We agreed that every day be an
International Day of Peace !

Peace is not a day for you and I to come together and pretend the world is at peace. but to access the peace that is deep with in our hearts. But it is insufficient for us to say,“Well. I feel peaceful. I hope everybody else does too.” Once I call get in touch with my inner peace I then have a serious social responsibility to share that peace with other people no matter how significant the violence might be. Either the violence of stereotyping, fear of another person, racism or sexism. So the peace within is not a haven from the world. The peace within is a call to justice in the world.

Fr. Tom Bonacci, CEO

The South Bay United Methodist
Community
September 20, 2013

The South Bay United Methodist Community composed of the Morgan Hill and Gilroy United Methodist Churches observed the International Day of Peace on Friday, September 20th by hosting a Peace Prayer Vigil throughout the day. The Sanctuaries were open to the public for come and go private prayers and silent meditation. Individuals came to pray and were greeted by volunteers who provided prayer and meditation guides for those who came to participate in the Peace Prayer Vigil. Individuals
were invited to light a candle on the altar and ring the church bell in solidarity with the peace bell rung at the United Nations in New York.

Evening Prayer & Dedication of the Peace Pole
Islamic Center of the East Bay
September 21, 2013

We assembled, we were summoned to prayer: Allahu Akbar,Allahu Akbar…; we dedicated the Peace Pole and ourselves to peace, with the words ”May Peace Prevail on Earth ” in the 12 languages of the Peace Pole.

God is the source of all peace.
Peace comes from you,
God and returns to You.
Send your peace that we may
think and act harmoniously.

Br. Mohammad Chaudry

Why do we need a Peace Pole? What good will it do?
The Peace Pole is a symbol of an intangible idea. It
allows the idea to become palpable/touchable similar to
Old Glory Flying. Planting a Peace Pole makes a statement for Peace.

Lonnie Bristow, M.D.,
Board Member, Interfaith Peace Project

Peace Poles are handcrafted monuments erected the world over as international symbols of Peace. Their purpose is to spread the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in the languages of the world. The Peace Pole Project began in 1955 in Japan. Masahisa Goi, in response to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki decided to dedicate his life to spreading the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. His project is now the official project of The World Peace Prayer Society.

The first Peace Poles outside of
Japan were constructed in 1983.
Since then more than 100,000
have been placed around the
world in over 180 countries.

The Islamic Center of the East
Bay is the fifth peace pole planted
in East County.