Leaders from diverse religious traditions guided global believers in this spiritual moment of shared humanity – calling for health, compassion and strength in the time of COVID-19.
This event took place on 1 April 2020.
Religions for Peace (RfP) leaders guiding this spiritual moment included:
Dr. Vinu Aram as Moderator | Director, Shanti Ashram
Ms. Bani Dugal | Principal Representative to the UN, Bahá’í International Community
H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel | Metropolitan of France, Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. Homi Gandhi | President, Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America
H.E. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje | Grand Mufti of Uganda
Rev. Kosho Niwano | President Designate, Rissho Kosei-kai
H.E. John Cardinal Onaiyekan | Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria
Grand-Father Dominique Rankin | Algonquin Hereditary Grand Chief
Chief Rabbi David Rosen KSG CBE, International Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee
Dr. Mamta Shaha | Chair, Women’s Committee, Federal Jain Associations in North America
Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, OBE KSG | Chairman, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha
Bishop Gunnar J. Stålsett | Bishop Emeritus of Oslo, Church of Norway
H.H. Shri Shri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji | Abbot, Sri Puthige Matha
The moment will conclude with a shared interfaith commitment read by:
Sr. Agatha O. Chikelue | Chair, RfP International Women’s Coordinating Committee
Hon. Mehrezia Labidi-Maiza | First Vice-President, Constitutional Assembly of Tunisia; Secretary, Association for Women’s Progress
Mr. Renz Argao |Coordinator, RfP International Youth Committee
Dr. Piero Liebman | Executive Director, Federation of Young Jews of Latin America
Shared Interfaith Commitment
United by hope with the entire human family and guided by the values of my own tradition, I commit to both prayer and action in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I commit to be a source of peace and comfort for all people in these troubling times.
I commit to supporting those on the frontlines of this pandemic by keeping myself, my family, and my community safe, to the best of my abilities.
I commit to respecting the value of scientific knowledge and wisdom on prevention, care, treatment and support, also as part of my spiritual obligation to care for all living things.
I commit to protecting and upholding the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable among us, including those experiencing discrimination.
In solidarity with the entire human family, I commit to using this moment to deepen my understanding of our innate interconnectedness and renew my faithful commitment to a world where no one is left behind.
All participants joined in this commitment from home.
