In a heartfelt display of solidarity and shared humanity, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Dayton recently organized an interfaith event at the Fazl-i-Umar Mosque. The gathering, titled “Voices for Peace,” brought together leaders from various faiths to collectively call for peace in the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Faith Leaders Unite
The Ahmadiyya faith, a sect of Islam known for its principle of “Love for all, hatred for none,” took the initiative to invite leaders from Sikhism, Christianity, and Judaism. The goal was to emphasize the universal value of human life and to stand together against the tragedies unfolding in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
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Usama Rehman, the imam for the Dayton mosque, emphasized the non-partisan nature of the event, stating that its fundamental purpose was to highlight the importance of human connection and compassion in times of crisis.
Call for Humanitarianism Amidst Tragedy
As the conflict, which began on October 7, has taken a toll on both Gaza and Israel, with nearly 19,000 lives lost in Gaza and around 1,200 in Israel, according to official sources, the Voices for Peace event aimed to raise awareness about the human cost of the conflict.
Rehman expressed a poignant message, stating, “At the end of the day, the basic function of a human being should be, even if he doesn’t believe in God, that we should love each other as human beings and put the differences to the side when things get this drastic and atrocious.”
Beyond Religious Divides
Sister Jeanette Buehler, a local nun and one of the speakers at the event, addressed the need for unity in the face of tragedy. She stressed that religious differences should not be a divisive factor and urged people to draw upon the teachings of their faiths to foster love and service towards one another.
“Each of our faith traditions calls us to love and service, to give to one another. We are not powerless if we listen to those traditions and join hands and hearts together to bring about the world as (God) created it to be,” she remarked.
Gathering of Compassionate Hearts
Over 60 people attended the Voices for Peace event, representing diverse groups such as the Greater Dayton Peace Coalition and the Dayton Women’s Interfaith Coalition. The event garnered support from individuals committed to promoting peace and understanding in their community.
Global Voices for Peace
The Ahmadiyya faith’s global community organized similar Voices for Peace events in various cities and countries, including Washington, D.C., and Canada. These gatherings aimed to amplify the collective call for peace and compassion during times of conflict.
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The event concluded with a powerful collective prayer, where attendees were invited to pray according to their respective faiths for an end to the ongoing war. This poignant moment highlighted the shared desire for peace and resolution, transcending religious boundaries.