NYC WIHW Interfaith Prayer Breakfast

On Thursday, February 7th, the interfaith community in New York City came together to celebrate the last official day of the 2019 UN World Interfaith Harmony Week. Sponsored in partnership by the Parliament of the World’s Religions and the Tzu Chi Foundation, the breakfast featured interfaith prayers and special addresses from a number of diverse speakers who gathered at the Tzu Chi Center in Midtown Manhattan.
Kusumita P. Pedersen, a Parliament Trustee who represents the Parliament at the United Nations, said,”We were delighted to see so many key people from the Religious NGOs who work with the UN as well as UN staff and other long-time colleagues and friends. There was a strong sense of community.”
Bruce Knotts, Trustee of the Parliament of the World’s Religions and Tzu Chi Commissioner, served as master of ceremonies. Thomas Chu, the Program Director at the Tzu Chi Foundation, and Audrey Kitagawa, Chair of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, offered greetings during this special celebration of interfaith harmony.
Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer from the Interfaith Center of New York, Nitin Ajmera from the Jain Samaj of Long Island, Carl Murrell Principal United Nations Representative of Baha’is of the United States, Rabbi Roger Ross from the New Vision Interspiritual Seminary, John Cheng the Executive Secretary of Tzu Chi Foundation, and Abdulwahab Abdulai representing the Muslim faith shared interfaith prayers.
The prayers and reflections were followed by an excellent vegetarian breakfast provided by members of Tzu Chi. The program closed with a Hindu prayer and thanks by Parliament Trustee Bhadra Shah.
A special thank you to the interfaith community of New York City for joining us in commemoration of the 2019 UN World Interfaith Harmony Week and to the Tzu Chi Foundation for their support. Enjoy video and photos from the event below!