Third Annual Queens Interfaith Unity Walk ~ Oct. 30th 2011

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The Third Annual Queens Interfaith Unity Walk

Commemorating 9/11/01
Celebrating Our Oneness
Sunday, October 30, 2011, 1:30 PM
Starting at the Sikh Center of Flushing

The Third Annual Queens Interfaith Unity Walk will occur, rain or shine, on October 30, starting at 1:30 PM. People of all faiths are encouraged to attend.

Ten years ago the horrific attacks on 9-11 brought people of all faiths together to mourn and denounce the loss of life. Out of that spirit of world community, the Interfaith Unity Walk developed to provide an opportunity to create understanding and common ground among various faith traditions.

For the past two years, participants have gathered and walked in the neighborhood of Flushing, one of the largest and most diverse communities in New York City.

In the first year, they visited the Hindu Temple Society of North America, Singh Sabha of New York (A Sikh Gurudwara), the Muslim Center of New York, the Free Synagogue, and St. Michael’s Church. The following year the route included the Sikh Center of Flushing, AME Church, Syed Jamaluddin Afghan Mosque, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens, the Won Buddhist Temple, and a return visit to the Free Synagogue. Each of these houses of worship provided a short talk on the tenets of their faith.

Director of Pax Christi Metro New York and one of the Unity Walk’s founders, Rosemarie Pace, noted how this walk is more important than ever. Each day there is something in the newspaper highlighting the distrust and lack of mutual understanding and respect that occur between members of different groups and faith traditions.

In contrast, the Walk seeks to build trust among neighbors of the famously diverse Flushing neighborhood.

Said Planning Committee member Adem Carroll, founder of the Muslim Consultative Network, "We Muslims must reach out and deepen relations with our neighbors. We fully support the message of unity embodied in this event."

This year’s (2011) Walk (30th October 2011 Sunday) will start at the Sikh Center of Flushing, 38-17 Parsons Boulevard, a short distance from the Main Street stop on the 7 train.

Presentation begins at 1:30 but the Sikh community welcomes everyone to share a free vegetarian meal for all(Guru Ka Langar - Community Kitchen) of Indian dishes at 1:00 pm.

After the Sikh presentation, the Walk will continue, stopping at across the street
38-20 Parsons Boulevard
Main Gate Lobby of Temple Gates of Prayer,
Masjid Hazrat Abu Bakr,
Tzu Chi Foundation, and the
Flushing Quaker Meeting House,
where refreshments will again be served.

“We strongly encourage young people to attend," stated Robina Niaz, Executive Director of Flushing-based Turning Point for Women and Families, a Planning Committee member. "Young people can make this event their own and take the steps needed. It may not be the New York Marathon, but trust-building is a long range journey we are undertaking here. The future can look frightening sometimes but action to build trust now is an essential step in building a more peaceful world."

This community event is co-sponsored by Pax Christi Metro, New York and Pax Christi Queens, Muslim Consultative Network, Turning Point for Women and Families, Free Synagogue of Flushing, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens, Women for Afghan Women, the Sikh Center of Flushing, Friends Quakers, Muslim Progressive Traditionalist Alliance, Flushing Jewish Community Council and Queens Counseling Services of The Foundation for Religion and Mental Health in coordination with Diverse Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Gurudwaras, and Temples of Flushing.