More than 100 people representing diverse faith traditions gathered on February 7 at the Plainview Jewish Center to commemorate World Interfaith Harmony Week, a United Nations-designated observance promoting dialogue and understanding among religions.
Titled “Educating Youth for World Peace,” the event was hosted by the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center in partnership with Shanti Fund and HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), an international peace organization based in Seoul that holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. Faith leaders, educators, and public officials emphasized unity, religious freedom, and youth engagement as pathways to lasting peace.
Among the elected officials addressing the gathering were New York State Senator Steven Rhoads and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. Rhoads praised HWPL’s mission, calling interfaith harmony “the only solution” to many of today’s divisions. “The world will divide us in a million different ways if we allow it,” he said, “but the one thing that unites us all is our belief in something greater than ourselves.”
Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, and Jain leaders reflected on the teachings within their traditions that promote peace and coexistence. Surinder Singh Chawla and Jagjit Singh Saggu of the Sikh Center highlighted Sikhism’s historical role in bridging Hindu and Islamic thought. Interfaith advocate Pankaj Mehta addressed religious persecution and outlined practical steps communities can take to safeguard religious freedom.
(Photo courtesy: Alotusinthemud.com)
Arvind Vora, chair of the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum and Shanti Fund, spoke about interfaith initiatives launched after 9/11, including the installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Suffolk County. Nitin Ajmera, chair of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, urged participants to draw from the strengths of multiple faiths rather than equating secularism with the absence of religion. Imam Muhammad Ajmal of Masjid Darul Quran in Bayshore cited Quranic verses affirming Islam’s message of peace.
Two educators emphasized the importance of teaching the youth core values, including empathy, unity and understanding, to create young ambassadors for peace.
Dr. Mary O’Meara, Superintendent for the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central Schools District, said: “In our schools, we engage in many activities and programs such as ‘No Place for Hate,’ ‘Unity Day,’ and ‘Start with Hello.’ We also have embedded a civics rubric in all of our social studies classes so students have a way to judge themselves.”
The youths played a key role in the program by participating in several cultural performances. Young people from the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center (Plainview Gurdwara) sang traditional hymns and presented a dance. Through their fan dance, a South Korean group promoted unity and harmony.
HWPL received a certificate of recognition from New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay for its role in organizing the Interfaith Harmony Week event.
HWPL New York Branch leaders Amanda Akue and Andre Fadhel, along with Surinder Singh Chawla from the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center, posed for a photo honoring their MOU to implement HWPL Peace Education to train and develop peace educators.
From the Plainview Jewish Center, Rabbi Steven Conn addressed the gathering and said they felt honored to provide the venue for the commemorative gathering. They look forward to future programs that can unite diverse members of the community.
