러시아-우크라이나의 평화를 위한 기도(영문)

HWPL World Interfaith

Joint Prayer Conference:

Prayer Conference for Peace in Russia & Ukraine

Post-Event Report

◆ Event Overview

1. Date/Time: Saturday, 5th November 2022 Session 1) 6:00~6:50AM (UTC) Session 2) 1:00~1:50PM (UTC)

2. Venue: Online via Zoom

3. Participants: Religious Leaders and their affiliated members

4. Name of Event: HWPL World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference: Prayer Conference for Peace in Russia & Ukraine

5. Total No. of Attendees: 493 attendees (including 185 religious leaders) 231 attendees in Session 1, 262 attendees in Session 2

6. Purpose of Event:

The world bears witness to news of yet another disastrous war, that is, the prolonged Russian-Ukraine war. At this time, we must unite to comfort the victims of war, to stop the war, to coexist, and to actively create a peaceful world. Through a relay prayer meeting for peace organized by the HWPL and joined by religious leaders around the world, we continue our prayers and aspirations for peace. Through this, we can realize that the power to stop the evils of war lies in the united voices of civil society, most especially, the religious. As such, HWPL held the World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference, under the theme of "Prayer Conference for Peace in Russia & Ukraine," where religious leaders of various religions led prayers for all attendees.

7. Program:

1) Opening Video

2) Speeches to urge for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the role of the religious

- Russian religious representative speech by a protestant church pastor based in Russia

(information made confidential for security purposes)

- Ukrainian religious representative speech by Vraja Hari Prabhu, Vice President of ISKCON in Ukraine and Moldova

3) Prayers led by Religious Leaders

Session 1 Session 2

a. Christianity (Catholicism)

H.E. Antonio J. Ledesma / the Philippines / Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro

b. Jainism

Dr. Kamini Gogri / India / Head of Research in Ancient Scriptures of the Eikam Resonance foundation

c. Islam

Prof. Dawud Noibi / Nigeria / Former Executive Secretary Muslim Ummah of Southwest of Nigeria

d. Buddhism

Rev. Cheong-bo Seok / South Korea / Abbot of the Temple of Bubgi Taego Order

e. ISKCON

Dr. Aditi V Mishal / India / Chief Sustainability Officer and Dean of Educational Initiatives at Govardhan Ecovillage

4) Prayer time for all participants

a. Christianity (Protestantism)

Mr. Darryn Rex Bell / New Zealand / Instructor of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

b. Sikhism Mr. Bhupinder Singh / India / Head Priest of Guru Teg Bahadar Temple, Jalandhar, Punjab

c. Islam

Mr. Nuredin Jemal Muktar / Ethiopia / Head of Planning and Policy Department of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council

d. Buddhism

Mr. Rajesh Chandra / India / Chairman of Samanvaya Seva Sansthan

e. Hinduism

Dr. Sarma Aryasomayajula / Germany / President of Siva Alayam Temple

5) Video made by youths to urge for the end of Russia-Ukraine War

6) Announcements: Sharing prayers posted on Padlet website & introducing the Worldwide Campaign for Relay prayers

7) Commemorative Group Photo & Closing

8) Introducing related Events: “One Voice: Russia & Ukraine for Peace” Event & Memorial Prayers for Victims of the Itaewon crowd crush

8. Summary of Event

1) Speech

a. Russian religious representative speech by a protestant church pastor based in Russia **information made confidential for security purposes

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I have a great privilege to send you wonderful and warm greetings from Russia. And today men and women around the world raise up their voices for peace in Russia and Ukraine.

I think peace and reconciliation is the key teaching of the New Testament. Today people from all over the world are praying that this military conflict will finish as soon as possible. In my opinion all major conflicts in the world are created by men because they do not listen to the word of God. When God created us he told us that we have to rule over fish and all animals but do not rule over men because men have the image of God in themselves.

In my opinion we need to care and respect other men, other nations, be friendly, be nice to each other and pray for prosperity, for peace, and for no war anymore.

Today I lift up my voice for peace and reconciliation. my country Russia with Ukraine, the people from both sides come to conclusion, that we need to come together to stop this military occupation, military war, because God wants us to have peace.

Because Jesus Christ in his prayer was saying that “Your will is up to heaven on earth. And my prayer is that the will of God that is above all men’s will, will be on earth like up in heaven.

And I really believe that today is a wonderful today when people of God decided to pray for peace and reconciliation in Russia and Ukraine

I’m really thankful that I am able to participate in this wonderful event, I think that this is a historical day for our world. And together, by the grace of God, by his power we can change the world for better.

I wish all the Evangelical Christians, and public leaders, all the government leaders and political leaders, have to realize that together with God, we can make this world different.

Thank you for this time together and my prayer is for peace and reconciliation in Jesus’ name Amen.

b. Ukrainian religious representative speech

by Vraja Hari Prabhu, Vice President of ISKCON in Ukraine and

Moldova

Hari Krishna,

Please accept my humble obeisances. My name is Vraja Hari Das. I am from Ukraine. I would like to begin this prayer with a Shlok from the Bhagavad Gita: bhoktaramyajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram suhridamsarva-bhutanam gyatwa mam shantimrichchati

“A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries..”

The moral position on these events on the basis of Srila Prabhupada’s books, our acharya, or founder, and scriptures is easier to formulate, from the point of view of the shastras, violence is justified only when it serves the purposes of self-defense or is committed by people in power to prevent other violence, and when is committed selectively - only in relation to those people who pose a real threat to others. This is direct violation of the dharma or religion that we see now in this war. Because we are born bringing nothing with us. We die without taking anything with us. Absolutely nothing! And the saddest thing is that in the interval between life and death, we fight for what we did not bring with us and for what we will not take with us.

Therefore, first and foremost, we must establish our relationship with God. Just like father and son, the relationship is already there. But nevertheless, sometimes the son leaves home and forgets his father. Similarly, we left home. We have come from the spiritual world to this material world. We have forgotten our father. Therefore, we must restore our relationship with our father or God or Krishna. This is the main goal of human life. In other kinds of life, which is lower than human life, it is impossible to revive our old relationship with God. So, this

b. Ukrainian religious representative speech by Vraja Hari Prabhu, Vice President of ISKCON in Ukraine and Moldova

is the greatest opportunity.

Therefore, we should not waste time on wars and quarrels. We should serve the Lord and remember that we are all brothers and sisters. And please continue to pray to God. Let’s finish with this Mahamantra, which we usually recite to achieve our internal consciousness:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

Thank you very much.

2) Prayers led by Religious Leaders ( Session 1 )

Heavenly and loving Father,

We lift to you all peoples, especially the nations of Ukraine and Russia, as we pray for peace in the world today.

Grant us the wisdom to see the real state of our modern world, reeling at present from the global pandemic, the climate crisis, and the raging war between two fraternal nations of the same race, culture, history, and Christian faith. Give us the grace to realize the vision of the prophet Isaiah -- that the nations “shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another; nor shall they train for war again.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Enlighten us with your presence to value the dignity of every human person particularly the victims of war and violence and to profess only what is for the common good with a heart to love and feel the pulse of the people, and the arms to embrace everyone, both friends and foes. May we welcome the coming of the Prince of Peace, whereby “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; ... for every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for flames.” (Isaiah 9:1,4)

We invoke the Holy Spirit to mold all nations at war to restore justice, equality, and peace; to bring about reconciliation and human development for all; and to establish the Reign of God in our homes and communities.

We offer this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

a. H.E. Antonio J. Ledesma / the Philippines / Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro

b. Dr. Kamini Gogri / India / Head of Research in Ancient Scriptures of the Eikam Resonance foundation

Jainism puts a significant emphasis on the thought process of a human being. A person’s behavior and actions are the reflection of their internal thoughts, day in and day out. It is not the action but the intention behind the action that results in the accumulation of Karma. Hence, one should be very careful about his thoughts, how he thinks, and the subject matter of his thought.

Four Bhavnas or Virtues

Jainism has laid great importance on the following four Bhavnas or virtues.

• Amity, love, and friendship - Maitri

• Appreciation, respect and joy - Pramoda

• Compassion - Karuna

• Equanimity and tolerance- Madhyastha

I will now sing a song that describes these four bhavnas, and the translation is as follows:

May the sacred stream of amity Flow forever in my heart. May the universe prosper, Such is my cherished desire.

May my heart sing with ecstasy At the sight of the virtuous. May my life be An offering at their feet.

May my heart bleed at the sight of The wretched, the cruel, the irreligious. May tears of compassion Flow from my eyes.

May I always be there to show the path To the Pathless wanderers of life. Yet if they should not hearken to me, May I bide in patience.

May the spirit of goodwill Enter all our hearts. May we all sing in chorus The immortal song of human concord.

1. Oh Allah, we commence this global prayer by seeking refuge with You from the accursed devil and his temptations to war so that we might find peace and harmony without which, we humans, cannot fulfil the purpose for which You created us (Qur’an 51:56).

2. With Your blessed name, Oh Allah, we seek Your intervention for the end of the Russia–Ukraine war; for it is only by Your merciful intervention that we can find a lasting end to this devastating war.

3. Oh Allah! You taught us in the Qur’an 5:32 that taking a single life unlawfully, is like killing all humanity while saving even one life is like saving all humanity; yet thousands of innocent lives are already lost in this avoidable war…

4. A war that is also adversely affecting the social and economic lives of millions of other innocent peoples across the world, true to Your warning in Qur’an 8:25 against evils done by a few people with devastating consequences for the innocent multitudes.

5. Oh Allah, the All-Hearing, You directed us in the Glorious Qur’an 40:60 to call on You and assured us of Your merciful response. Grant our plea for a speedy end to this war and for a lasting global peace and cessation of war for which the HWPL has been working so assiduously.

6. O Allah, shower Your blessings on Your Messenger of our time, Muhammad and all Your Messengers that preceded him for bringing to Your vicegerents on earth, Your messages of peace, peaceful co-existence and cessation of war.

7. Grant our pleas, Oh Allah! Indeed, You have power over all things.

c. Prof. Dawud Noibi / Nigeria / Former Executive Secretary Muslim Ummah of Southwest of Nigeria

Namu Amitabul

To Buddha who is merciful.

It is such a sad, piercing reality we are facing now; to see how young, noble lives are sacrificed in the war between Ukraine and Russia, and to witness the news of wailing mothers and wives who have lost their sons and husbands.

All those with a conscience are struggling with pain and regret to see children and the elderly dying from man-made weapons of destruction.

The war started with human ignorance and ego, disregarding our true, pure natures. I pray with penitence and with one heart on Sambo (3 treasures: Buddha, the law of Buddha and Buddhist monk) to end the war as soon as possible and create a peaceful world.

I pray that all of mankind love all life and learn the right teachings of Buddha to realize the great truth. And for Bodhisattva Samantabhadra to help us remove the sins mankind and we, ourselves committed, so that we are given strength to stop this senseless war and realize our pure, kind human hearts. And I pray earnestly before Buddha that all the people in the world be liberated from samsara and attain Buddhahood.

Namu Amitabul

d. Rev. Cheong-bo Seok / South Korea / Abbot of the Temple of Bubgi Taego Order

e. Dr. Aditi V Mishal / India / Chief Sustainability Officer and Dean of Educational Initiatives at Govardhan Ecovillage

OṀ NAMO BHAGAVATE VĀSUDEVĀYA (3 TIMES)

I bow down to the Lord Vasudev, who resides in the hearts of all beings.

yadä yadä hi dharmasya glänir bhavati bhärata abhyutthänam adharmasya tadätmänaà såjämy aham

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself.

pariträëäya sädhünäà vinäçäya ca duñkåtäm dharma-saàsthäpanärthäya sambhavämi yuge yuge

To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Ram Hare Ram

Ram Ram Hare Hare

O all-attractive, all pleasing Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your loving devotional service

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih! (3 times)

Let there be peace everywhere, Peace in body, peace in mind, peace in speech or spirit.

Prayer of Surrender to the Lord for Protection

3) Prayers led by Religious Leaders ( Session 2 )

Dear Heavenly Father God, Creator of all things,

We thank you for loving all creation, for creating us with the capacity for peace and love. Father, you have promised in your word that there will be peace on this earth, and blessings for peacemakers. We know your heart to dwell in a world where there is peace, and one created without war, but understanding and compassion for one another.

Father, we repent for falling short of your will, and when we have shown greed, arrogance, and aggression towards one another. Please help us to have transformed mindsets to become the reality of the peacemakers that you wish, and create a peaceful world, which pleases you and would be a lasting legacy for future generations.

At this time, there are many unnecessary conflicts and wars, leading to only suffering and death. As your creations who should love one another as yourselves, and live peaceful lives, we truly repent for this. We pray especially for the end of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, that the needless loss of

life and destruction may cease. Please allow there to be peace and unity in the region, and for the necessary discussions and agreements to take place so that this war may end and we hope and pray that it will take place soon.

Father, please transform our hearts to better love and care for one another, and that we will be resolved to work towards the cessation of war and creating a peaceful world without war and the unnecessary loss of life.

Father God, please look down as we have gathered as one, before the Creator. as representatives of our religions. Please hear our prayers for peace and unity, and the end of conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

We ask that as the religions have come together with the united heart and plead for peace that you will look down as the Creator and hear our prayers. We pray that we may continue to be united, and work in harmony for the common goal of a world of peace and love.

We sincerely and humbly pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen

a. Mr. Darryn Rex Bell / New Zealand / Instructor of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

Waheguru!

You are the protector of wisdom, Almighty Lord! Our helper and protector ever, God, the Helper of the helpless, the Strength of the weak, the Supporter of the fallen, the True Father of all.

Forgive us, O Lord, all our faults, and extend Your helping hand to everyone. The world is going up in flames - shower it with your mercy and save it. Save it and deliver it by whatever method it takes.

O Waheguru ji! There is very horrible war in Ukraine. Animals and birds are dead, nature is destroyed, and humanity is also lost.

O God, only you can give us right path and guidance to end this and every war. May God give humanity peace, love and brotherhood.

Through Satguru Nanak, may Your Name be exalted and may all of mankind prosper according to your Will.

b. Mr. Bhupinder Singh / India / Head Priest of Guru Teg Bahadar Temple, Jalandhar, Punjab

Bismillah

In the Name of Allah, The Most High, the Most Merciful, Allah’s Peace and Blessing be up on the Last Prophet and Mohammed Messenger of Allah. O Allah, you are our Lord, we ask you

“Say, “O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.“ (QS. Aal-i-Imraan 3: Verse 26)

“They said, “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.””(QS. Al-A’raaf 7: Verse 23)

O Allah, you are Peace, the giver of peace the sustainer of peace we ask you humbly to make peace among our brothers in humanity the Russians and Ukrainians, and the whole World. O Allah, you are the Restorer of Peace we humbly ask you our Lord to restore peace among your slaves. O Allah, alter the enmity between neighboring brothers among the Russians and the Ukrainians, the Palestinians, Syrians, Iraqis, Libyans, Ethiopians and the rest of the World. You are the Almighty, the Restorer of peace, and abandon Enmity and War among humanities. O Allah heal the Physical and the moral injuries of your slaves.

c. Mr. Nuredin Jemal Muktar / Ethiopia / Head of Planning and Policy Department of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council

c. Mr. Nuredin Jemal Muktar / Ethiopia / Head of Planning and Policy Department of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council

“So they said, “Upon Allah do we rely. Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people” (QS. Yunus 10: Verse 85)

May Allah the Most High prevail Peace on Earth and the Universe. O Allah, Shower Your Blessing and Peace up on Your beloved Messenger Muhammad Ameen

Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Perfect One, the Enlightened One.

Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is the minds of men that the defense of the peace must be constructed.

Hatred never cease through hatred in this world. Through love alone they cease, this is the Law Eternal.

By this declaration of truth may all beings be safe at all times!

By this declaration of truth may all beings have blessings!

By this declaration of truth may all disturbances be destroyed!

Limitless is the power of Buddha.

Limitless is the power of Dhamma, His teachings.

Limitless is the power of Sangha, the spiritual Community.

May all beings be happy. May all beings be safe. May all beings be at peace.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Peace Peace Peace

d. Mr. Rajesh Chandra / India / Chairman of Samanvaya Seva Sansthan

1.1: O Water, because of your presence, the Atmosphere is so refreshing, and imparts us with vigour and strength.

1.2: We revere you who gladdens us by your Pure essence.

2.1: O Water, this auspicious Sap of yours, please share with us,

2.2: Like a Mother desiring (to share her best possession with her children)

3.1: O Water, when your invigorating essence goes to one affected by weakness, it enlivens him,

3.2: O Water, you are the source of our lives.

Om, May Mitra be Propitious towards Us; May Varuna be Propitious May Aryaman, Indra, Brihaspati, Brihaspati be Propitious towards Us. You Indeed are the Perceptible Brahman. I Proclaim the Divine Order and truth. May That (Truth) Move Me, Protect me.

Om Peace, Peace, Peace. May peace radiate there in the whole

Universe – in the vast ethereal space everywhere. In the water, in the land and in the sky, in space, in fire, in the wind, in medicine, in vegetation, in the forest, in the grove, in the subconscious all over the world. May peace reign in the heart of all living beings and in every particle of the world.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Om. May Brahman protect us, may Brahman sustain us, may Brahman illumine our thinking process. May we not find fault with each other, with our teachers or with the world, and may what we study become a source of inspiration to us eternally.

Om peace, peace, peace.

May peace be unto us, and may peace be unto all living beings.

The result of any WAR is loss on both sides. We pray for ending of the Ukraine-Russia war to end soon and for the fast recovery of the holy earth and wellbeing of everyone. Let everyone be happy. May everyone be happy (everyone, every animal, every person and every atom, energy or whatever creatures should be happy and free from suffering).

e. Dr. Sarma Aryasomayajula / Germany / President of Siva Alayam Temple

Shanti Mantram

5) Introducing Related Offline Events: “One Voice: Russia & Ukraine for Peace” Event

World Alliance of Religions’

Memorial Prayers for Victims of the Itaewon crowd crush

6) Post-Conference Participant Interviews

The prayer conference was well planned and participated by religious leaders from all over the world who were eager to make their voice heard and their prayers heard as well. This shows that a huge percentage of mankind wish to have the Ukraine Russian dispute peacefully resolved as soon as possiblethose who participated by listening have also the same sublime desire. May this war come to an end soon!

It was really nice to have a Russian-Ukraine peace prayer meeting this time. Instead of stopping this prayer conference as a one-time prayer, I hope that there will be continuous prayer meetings, and that people will be more aware of it so that the perception that peace between Russia and Ukraine should be achieved quickly. Just as the HWPL resolved Mindanao’s 40-year conflict, I hope peace will come to Russia-Ukraine as soon as possible. I hope that people from all over the world who want peace get together for this goal.

It was a wonderful experience. This is the first time I have attended such a large multi-national conference wherein people from several countries have come together, with a feeling of oneness, with a feeling of peace and spreading that peace to the entire world. I really commend HWPL for its initiative. As a participant, I really feel enlightened and energized by connecting with people. Our mission is also to unite the world into one nation, one family. This is based on the Vedas also. That means that the entire world is one family. So, any such initiative which is contributing in that, we are with that. I am founder of PYP (Project Yug Parivartan). There are several people who are connecting with us who carry the same feeling. Yes. we will definitely participate in all the peace events that HWPL will organize nationally, internationally or in India; wherever we can contribute, and we will definitely come forward and do the necessary.

Imam Abdur Rahman Khan / Guyana / Ahmadiyya / Imam of Baitun Nur Mosque

Mr. Hitesh Chandel / India / Hinduism / Founder and Chief Mentor of Defined Values Consultants

Mr. Frank Sethi / Thailand / Sikhism / Secretary of Chiang Mai Gurdwara

I enjoyed listening to (speakers of) Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism. I have come to the conclusion that if everyone considers themselves as children of God, then we can have peace for the world. Everyone thinks that they are the most important, as is the case in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is an unpredictable and unnecessary conflict. Egoism plays a very big role nowadays. So, let us pray to God to heal all sufferings in the world. Let us have a good understanding of each other and let us pray for peace. It is only He, the Supreme Power, who can bring knowledge. And let us all live together peacefully. Thank you.

About today’s meeting, I think that it was a good idea that we gather and pray for the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. I believe it’s already been a long time, almost more than nine months, since this conflict, which is getting from bad to worse.

We all know that war will give us nothing. War can only create sorrow and suffering, destruction, and miseries. So, in every war, we gain nothing, we only lose all the time. Either you sit at the table and talk before the war begins, or after everything is finished and destroyed, then do you come to sit at the table and discuss matters. That is why HWPL and our organization emphasize dialogue.

I think more than 230 people participated in today’s meeting. It shows the unity of the people and religions from many parts of the world, who do not wish to have war. The sooner the conflict ends, there will be no war but peace, progress, and justice. So, this is basically essential for us.

In collective prayers, the amount of vibration creates positive influence. So, I think that today’s meeting was a very important meeting and a very good initiative of HWPL to gather people of the world and to pray on this particular day for peace.

Mr. Sathit Kumarn / Thailand / Hinduism / President of Ramakrishna Vedanta Association

Rev. Juliana Temparaja / East Timor / Christianity / General Secretary of the Protestant Church in East Timor

I am really happy (to attend the conference). Also, through this prayer (conference), it touched my heart and built also my spirit to remember our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are suffering. Also, we should think about how we can stop the war and (then) we will come in peace in this world. Stop violence, and we’ll come in peace, for our family, all the religious members and countries, wherever we are.

Pastor Thomas Manyol Riek / South Sudan / Christianity / Presbyterian Church of South Sudan

Thank you very much, the prayer conference was very nice. It was an opportunity that brought the world together, and religious leaders too, to pray for peace. This is something very important. And I believe some of the people who also participated were also from Ukraine and they were happy that the world also remembered them in times of suffering by praying for their peace. The same goes for Russia.

We really thank HWPL for this initiative and the efforts you’re making to bring peace, especially in the world. Here in South Sudan, we also have religious councils but mainly for Islam and Christianity. We have other traditional religious sects but they don’t really join religious groups or the religious council in South Sudan.

Two weeks [ago], we had a workshop that brought together religious’ leaders, especially from the Islamic council and Christian council. It was a workshop where religious leaders hold hands and pray for peace, like the way HWPL does. This is very important because these religious groups all have large masses, and they can be a platform to bring peace to the world.

Pastor Armen Grigoryan / Armenia / Christianity / Pastor of Evangelical Church (from Christianity in Armenia)

It was an essential conference. Ukraine is not alone and we are the soldiers in a prayer army for them. HWPL helps to solve the problems. I see it in this conference when HWPL creates the place for coming together.

The morning prayer (session) was really good, I didn’t expect that much people. And I was happy to see the diversity. There were people from many backgrounds. I noticed Hindu people, Jains, Christians, as well as Muslims. I don’t know if there were any Baháʼí or Zoroastrian or any Sikh representative. But overall, it was very diverse, more than I thought actually. I can say that it is one of the best online events I have attended, and people were actually sharing very good views. I am glad that people want to think about it now, because we can’t ignore religion and the power of religion. Even at this time, when most people are less religious, and they believe in science. But still, religion has not lost its power over people and politics. So, if we unite in the name of religion, many things can be fixed in this world. The basic problem with disputes is that first, we need to understand that people of religion should be loveable, polite, be full of humility, and support peace all the time. But in history, you can see that most terror has been introduced by religious institutions and people. However, you, (HWPL) people are different. There’s something in you. So, yes, I will support you with everything, whatever you need.

I wrote two comments in the field of conversations, and in the two comments, I cried with all my heart and tears filled my eyes. I remembered the Kurds and throughout history, cases of murder, rape, displacement, robbery of money, and occupation of homes and lands. And I remembered my brother and my cousins. All three of them were killed simultaneously in March 1991. And I remembered how old women and old men were facing difficulties in escaping the war, and how my daughter who had just been born was suffering. I didn’t know how to get milk for her, while we were running away from Saddam Hussein’s war machine. We were passing over bodies thrown on the street. So, yes, I pray from the bottom of my heart for the innocent people of Ukraine and Russia.

Mr. Pradeep Singh / the United Kingdom / Christianity / Senior Assistant Chaplain of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

Mr. Ibrahim Zrary / Iraq / Zoroastrianism / Member of the High Council of Kurdistan Zoroastrian

Imam Mazin Ali / Germany / Islam / Imam of Muhammed Moschee, Germany

The prayer conference was well organized, very interesting, diverse, and touching. I am hopeful. We have the abilities to influence others and to be influenced by them. In all difficulties of life, we need patience and perseverance to reach the desired goal. Above all, we need the inner peace we feel in prayer.

As a participant in this prayer conference, my feeling was: on the one hand I was very happy, and secondly it was wonderful that we gathered internationally and I saw that we are very different, also in faith. But we are all united to say a prayer together for Ukraine. I hope that we can also do this prayer for Syria.

The good Lord told us in the Holy Scriptures: “O people, We have created you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. The most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you.” Allah told us here that we will come to know each other. We can do that through dialogue between different religions, different faiths, or different schools. We should just sit down and talk together. We can also do that by opening some dialogue with families around a table with a cup of tea or coffee and talk to each other, so that we can also get closer to each other.

I found that the atmosphere was overwhelmed by the spirit and divinity. Everybody prayed in their hearts and felt the (need for the) ban of wars and feelings of love. The biggest merit of this prayer (conference) is that the mental level was raised to spiritual levels. (We need to) raise the spiritual level of humanity across the world and this is very important for global peace and cessation of war. Therefore, such prayers should take place from time to time. But we’ve done this on the verbal level, on the mental level, and on the spiritual level. We are backed and supported by divinity and God. Therefore, we should feel stronger than the war mongers. Our prayers should not be passive. Not only prayer, but powerful actions is needed to see it realized.

Dr. C. D. Naik / India / Buddhism / Former Vice Chancellor of Dr. Ambedkar University

Taweer Ahmed Khan / India / Islam / State Head of World Organization of Religions’ and Knowledge, Telangana Chapter

Today’s gathering of the World Interfaith joint prayer conference was awesome. People from different parts of the world and religious Gurus and scholars from different faiths came together. Everybody was praying for peace, and everyone was saying, “we do not want war”. They explained from their scriptures how different religions teaches peace and is against the war.

I feel very happy and blessed to attend such an important event where so many people were praying to the Almighty in their own languages to stop war between Ukraine and Russia. Many individuals were saying “Back to Life”, “Back to Peace” and “We are One”. This was really great and a very heart touching event. Our sympathies and condolences are with all who got affected in war. Such wars do no good to anyone, it only destroys things. Allah says in Quran Surah 5, Ayat 2 (Quran 5:2): “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.”

I appreciate HWPL for organizing such great event. HWPL always comes forward to establish peace internationally. At WORK (World Organization of Religions and Knowledge), we also work in 350+ districts in India and 10 other countries to establish unity, brotherhood, and peace at ground level. We have very good and long relationship with HWPL, we have done many events with HWPL, for example, Peace Walks, and establishing peace monuments etc. Whenever HWPL do such activities in establishing peace, we will also support them, as we are also doing the same thing at the grassroots’ level. I pray to the Almighty that peace be established in Ukraine and Russia. It was blessing even for me to attend such a noble gathering.

Mr. Faisal Ilyas / Pakistan / Christianity / General Director of Peace Hope Pakistan

Being Christian, I must say, we have a very strong belief that prayers can bring changes, reconsolidate things, and change the situation from war to peace. And hats off to the entire team of HWPL. Everyone is united, like the campaign, ‘We Are One’. Yes, we are one for the promotion of humanity, love, care, and compassion.

And usually, people promote tolerance, like how we pray for the safety of Ukraine and Russia, and obviously, being human, we see the grievances of people who are fighting, and the people who just lost their homes, and so many people lost their lives in such situations. It’s a terrible scenario that we should sit together and talk about at the table. So, HWPL arranged the prayer conference, and more than 200 people joined that conference. It was a lovely gesture by HWPL and I congratulate the whole team, who started this initiative and brought people together. We prayed to God and according to our faiths, we offered prayers. And the objective was one that we need: we want peace in the world. It was a wonderful session, and everyone was united. Everyone was on the same page to offer prayers to stop the war and armed conflicts. There are also many unfortunate situations of unrest, terror, and climate change, such as the flooding situation in Pakistan and the Philippines. So, I think there are many things that we should lift our hands in prayer for the safety of people who are in such kind of disastrous situations. I think we can play a very important role in starting campaigns like the one HWPL organized. And once again, thank you for sharing the opportunity to join the prayer conference and I offered my hearty prayers for humanity and the world.

Mr. Gurpreet Singh / India / Sikhism / Treasurer of Institute of Sikh Studies

The prayer conference was well organized, no doubt. Wherever there is a prayer conference for peace, I think everybody would be happy to attend, because we all look forward to peace on this earth. So, all hostility should cease. And since this prayer conference was for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, I think it was very timely, and hopefully, better sense will prevail. Because war is unnecessary. Lives are lost, destruction happens, and mankind suffers. We can also see the effects of war on others with energy prices rocketing throughout the world and people suffering because of poor food grades. So, war has its very ugly side. And any conference, any event that is held to progress peace, and to end war is always a very welcome step. I, of course, felt very happy to be part of this. Our ninth Guru, who sacrificed his life for upholding human rights of others, Guru Tegh Bahadur, said: Do not give hurt to anybody, and do not fear anyone. That is the way the world should live. You’re not supposed to give fear to anyone else. And you’re not supposed to fear anybody. So, we should live our lives as a sovereign human being and enjoy the company of each other in this world in harmony. So., I think this peace prayer conference was totally in line with Sikhism, and with what is professed in the Scriptures. And I’m glad we could speak about what Sikhism says about such things.

HWPL World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference: Prayer Conference for Peace in Russia & Ukraine Post-Event Report