Representatives of seven of the world’s major religions read from their sacred scriptures at an International Day of Peace interfaith service at the Baha’i Temple on 22 September.
The scriptural extracts had the theme of peace and some were read in their original language. The nine readers represented the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Zoroastrian communities.
Among the guests attending the evening service were out-going Pittwater Mayor Harvey Rose and his wife, local residents, and other people from throughout Sydney and beyond.
The Temple was illuminated for the evening service and it cast its light on to a backdrop of eucalyptus bush land.
The service began with songs of worship performed by the Temple choir in English, the words taken from the Baha’i scriptures. Soloists also sang at intervals during the program.
The service was held on Saturday evening to allow for participation from representatives of the Jewish Community who observed Shabbat on Friday 21 September, the date designated for the International Day of Peace.
Father Patrick McInerney, a reader representing the Catholic Church, said later that he “enjoyed participating in the event and found the simplicity of the interfaith service quite moving”.
The readers were:
Baha’i Faith: Ms Bettina King and Dr Eric Kingston
Buddhism: Ms Mohini Gunasekera
Christianity: Rev Meredith Williams (Uniting Church) and Father Patrick McInerney (Catholic Church)
Hinduism: Mr Sina Fanaian (reading on behalf of the Hindu Community)
Judaism: Ms Sheli Wallach (Jewish Board of Deputies for NSW)
Islam: Ms Rayila Muhammad (Affinity Intercultural Foundation)
Zoroastrianism: Mr Minoo Batliwalla