Global PeaceWorks 2004 Meets in New Delhi, India
"As the year 2004 ended with many unresolved violent conflicts among religious communities, a group of volunteers of diverse faiths gathered in New Delhi, India to prove that peace among religions is indeed possible." Also see coverage of the 2003 event.
As the year 2004 ended with many unresolved violent conflicts among religious communities, a group of volunteers of diverse faiths gathered in New Delhi, India to prove that peace among religions is indeed possible.
The group, Global PeaceWorks, “Created a sense of family among strangers of different national, cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.” Said volunteer Melissa Alvarez, a student service specialist at Penn State University (USA), who made the trip as part of her studies with United Interfaith Ministries. It was a “life changing, perspective shifting, heartwarming, and rejuvenating journey” reported Alvarez who was joined by volunteers from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, Kenya, Iran and the United States.
While some service organizations distance themselves from religion, Global PeaceWorks focuses on religion as an essential component of human betterment. “Religion and spirituality help cultivate compassion and foster our sense of interconnectedness as a human family.” Says program facilitator Eric Wenzel of New York. “We have to go beyond the small minded ‘my religion is better’ thinking and work together, honoring all sacred traditions, to solve global problems.”
Khorrum Omer, Global PeaceWorks India project director, has been working in service and interfaith programs for two decades. Omer observed “There are interfaith groups that celebrate diversity and honor different religious traditions with discussion, conferences or prayer meetings, but Global PeaceWorks is different. We don’t just shake hands and say a prayer together. At Global PeaceWorks we say, “Hey, these children need our help – Let’s go and serve them… together. We are different faiths offering service together.”
Though Omer continues active involvement in his local Muslim community, he knows no boundaries when it comes to service. In fact, when the Babri Masjid, an Islamic holy site, was being torn down in 1992 by radical Hindus, Omer was working with an interfaith group to restore a Hindu temple in Vrindaban.
In 2003, Omer led Global PeaceWorks in East Delhi where the group helped build a community center in a challenged neighborhood with the NGO Chetanalaya. For 2004, Omer chose Amar Jyoti, a special school for physically and mentally challenged children as the service site. The service work was to carry thousands of bricks up four flights of stairs to help with construction – an arduous task.
“I picked up the first brick,” realized Pinaki Chakraborty, a child rights advocate and senior at Delhi University, “Day after day, children are carrying these bricks on their heads and in their hearts. They might just keep on doing that if no action is taken.” The thought energized Chakraborty who worked tirelessly for hours on end. “It is hard work, but the most important rewards are spiritual” commented Durga Khadka, a volunteer from Kathmandu, Nepal.
The experience was enhanced by a visit to the Fatehpuri Mosque in busy central Delhi and dialogue with its Imam, Dr. Mufti Mukarram Ahmed. An afternoon at the Bahá’í Lotus Temple; conversations with Sikh leaders at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib; prayers, food and fun at the Gobind Sadan community; and a trip to Vrindaban, home to 5000 Hindu temples were also included.
The event made a lasting impact on the participant David Norenberg, a creator of student interfaith programs at St. Lawrence University in New York, who said, “I don't think I will look at a globe or a map the same way… The world has become infinitely more personal.” Christa Reynolds, creator of ‘Enlighten’ the game of World Religions, who served as a group leader for the program, called the experience a “wonderful adventure” in spiritual discovery and service.
Dr. Deepali Bhanot, a professor of Sanskrit at Delhi University and a program guide, remarked that the uniqueness of the program was in the willingness of the volunteers to work in service while learning about each other’s culture. “It was my best new year experience ever!” Shared Robert Hu of Taiwan, who holds the title of Mr. University from an international contest he attended earlier in the year. “We visited temples, mosques and churches and listened to their stories, discussed their beliefs, histories and offered prayers. Harmony could be felt everywhere.”
Maybe all problems can be solved one brick at a time. Obviously the recent unilateral approach in the in the Mid Easthave proved that point. One brick moving from hand to hand is all it takes