World Religion Day Held Sunday

CONCORD, NH - This Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m., leaders of greater Concord’s Jewish, Buddhist, Baha’i, Christian, and Muslim communities will be answering the question: “What in your Religion inspires Peace & Hope?” at this year’s World Religion Day program in Concord, NH, in the Upper Parish Hall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 21 Centre Street. This free event is open to all. Audience participation and discussion is anticipated and encouraged.

The panelists in this year’s program are as follows:

Moderator: Karen Darling, Greater Concord Baha’i Community
Music: Cantor Shira Nafshi, Temple Beth Jacob
Rabbi Robin Nafshi, Temple Beth Jacob
Dori Bongiovanni, Buddhist Natural Dharma Fellowship
Br. Charles Edward OLW, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Imam Mustafa or Ahamed Kenneh, Islamic Community of Greater Concord (to be determined)
Pat Wallace, Concord Quaker Meeting
Geoff Boeckel, Greater Concord Baha’i Community

“In a time that has otherwise seemed to be filled with strife in the name of religion, how lovely it is to have a chance to join together as a community - specifically because of our different religions and the varied practices and prayers - in the spirit of peace, compassion, lovingkindness and good will,” said Kris Schultz, GCIC Vice President, in a press statement.

The Greater Concord Interfaith Council promotes understanding, peace, and respect. We affirm that what unites us is greater than what divides us. We work to create a respectful environment in which earnest people can explore our religious diversity through community gatherings mutual education.

World Religion Day is an interfaith observance established in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and is celebrated in January each year. Though initiated in the United States, World Religion Day is now celebrated internationally by people of many different faiths and practices to promote the idea that the spiritual principles underlying all the world’s religions are harmonious, and to suggest that religion can play an important role in unifying humanity.