In The Light Supports the International Day of Peace Vigil

In The Light is actively supporting and promoting the International Day of Peace Vigil which is held annually on September 21, to coincide with the UN's International Day of Peace. The Vigil is an excellent way for people of all religions, as well as all those who desire peace and nonviolence, to join together throughout the world in spiritual observance of this Day for nonviolence and peace.

On September 7, 2001, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 55/282 designating September 21 each year as the "International Day of Peace". The UN declared that this Day, "henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence", and that it be, "brought to the attention of all people for the celebration and observance of peace."

In 2002 the International Day of Peace Vigil began for the following objective:

"To encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace on September 21 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world."

The International Day of Peace (IDP) Vigil has the potential to involve unprecedented international cooperation for world peace through prayer, meditation and other spiritual observance.

In The Light's active involvement has resulted in the organizers of the Vigil registering for a booth at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Barcelona, Spain from July 7 through July 13, 2004 to encourage the participation of religious, spiritual and interfaith leaders from around the world.

In The Light Board members are working with the Founder/President of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka, Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne (Dr. Ari), who has committed to hold a mass Peace Meditation event in Sri Lanka on September 21, 2004, in observance of the IDP Vigil. Dr. Ari has led such events in Sri Lanka with tens of thousands of participants on numerous occasions and on March 15, 2002 he led an Island-wide Peace Meditation with 650,000 Sri Lankan people participating. Sarvodaya Shramadana's involvement in this year's IDP Vigil is very much appreciated. It has already helped to generate greater enthusiasm to make this year's worldwide Vigil observance the largest yet. There is a determination to see that the UN International Day of Peace becomes known throughout the world soon and that each year this international Vigil of spiritual observance becomes more and more powerful.

We encourage all religious and spiritual groups to make a commitment to observe September 21, 2004 by cooperating simultaneously with millions of people all over the world in prayer or other spiritual practice for peace and nonviolence. If people of all the different faiths and denominations can put their differences aside for one day and work together by applying some of the best of their respective religions in a focused effort for world peace, then it may be easier for all of us to imagine and build a harmonious world where real peace will reign throughout the year.

To be notified of September 21 Vigil activities in Metro Detroit which In The Light may sponsor or be involved in, please email your request to: info@in-the-light.org