Quakers co-create walking peace vigil
‘The energy and love for peace is palpable and we hope all who come on the walk will feel it too.’
Friends joined a thousand people on a ‘Peace is Every Step’ walking silent prayer and vigil in London last weekend.
Quakers were one of the key organisers of this multi-faith Churches Together in England (CTE) event, which invited all faiths and spiritual traditions to ‘lead an action call for non-violence, reconciliation and peace in respect and care for all life’, said CTE.
The event was covered by ITV London news and BBC Radio London, as well as The Guardian, which also interviewed non-religious walkers.
Judith Baker, ecumenical and interfaith officer for Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), said the event was co-created by many faith groups coming together. ‘The energy and love for peace is palpable and we hope all who come on the walk will feel it too.’
The faith groups included the Salvation Army, Plum Village Buddhist Community (Followers of Thich Nhat Hanh) and Together for Humanity.
Judith Baker added: ‘We walk together because we share a deep love for creation and a common universal language of peace. We share horror at the desecration of creation that war brings.’
The walk began at noon in Trafalgar Square, when prayers were offered, including by the chair of CTE trustees, Friend Rowena Loverance. Others offering prayers included rabbi Alexandra Wright, president of Liberal Judaism, and Asim Hafiz, Islamic advisor and imam. It was ‘a solemn moment without flags, placards, or political slogans’, said CTE. Participants walked with a single handmade white flower, which was ‘a poignant reminder of the role of each individual in cultivating a more peaceful world’, said CTE. The group proceeded in silent walking meditation to Parliament Square and back to Trafalgar Square.
‘This call comes in the face of thirty-two wars being waged around the world and the growing violent reprisals in response, exemplified in the warfare in Palestine and Israel,’ said CTE. ‘Recent actions for peace have included people of faith and interfaith calls, but so far in England, no single unified intentional faith action has happened.’
Comments
Welldone All. Please do let me know for when you are organizing the next one.
By dorabek on 25th January 2024 - 15:48
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