UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gathered with religious leaders from various faiths, including Hinduism and Sikhism, to pray for peace. The gathering took place in front of the “Knotted Gun” sculpture at the UN headquarters during a unique moment when Christians celebrated Easter, Jews marked the end of Passover, and Sikhs enjoyed Vaisakhi festivities. Guterres called for unity amidst war and political polarization, noting that even the calendar sends a message of unity.
The religious leaders who joined Guterres included representatives from the Hindu Temple Society of North America, Masjid-Ur-Rahmah Mosque in Bronx, and The Aspen Institute’s Religion and Society Programme. They delivered a message about peace and held a moment of silence. Guterres called on everyone to lift their hearts and voices for peace, emphasizing that peace is needed now more than ever.
Ramaswamy Mohan, Trustee, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, addressed the gathering with a ‘Namaste’ and recited Sanskrit prayers seeking God’s grace for happiness, welfare, prosperity, and justice for all beings. Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director of The Aspen Institute’s Religion and Society Programme, delivered the Sikh prayer and reflected on the values of kindness, generosity, and justice.
Other religious leaders present at the event included Rabbi Joshua Stanton, Won Buddhist Chaplain at New York University and Religious Life Adviser at Columbia University Rev. Doyeon Park, and Executive Director at Interfaith Centre of New York Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer. UN officials also attended, including UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations Miguel Ángel Moratinos and UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also tweeted his greetings to Sikh and Hindu New Yorkers celebrating Vaisakhi.
