Interfaith program to mark United Nations’ International Day of Peace on September 21

The College of Saint Rose will mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace with a gathering featuring interfaith and civic leaders called “Stop the Hate” on September 21 at 7 p.m. in the Interfaith Sanctuary, 959 Madison Avenue in Albany.

The International Day of Peace calls upon people worldwide to cease all types of violence and re-dedicate themselves to the work of peace. “Stop the Hate” speakers include Lisa Good, who works with Urban Grief and the victims of gun violence; Anne Liske, a Quaker whose community works for peace; Walter Ayres, who will reflect on Pope Francis’ naming of the sin of racism; Dr. Shaik Ubaid, who will address the anti-Muslim genocide in India; and Father Vasyl Dovgan, who will share the perspective of the Capital Region’s Ukranian community.

The lecture is sponsored and organized by the Sidney and Beatrice Albert Board for the Interfaith Sanctuary, which is grateful to again bring together in person our interfaith and multi-belief communities to take up working for peace in our homes, neighborhoods, country, and the world.

“At every level in our communities and in our world today, we are being inundated with the horror of gun violence and war,” said Joan Horgan, director of spiritual life at Saint Rose. “The volume of deeply troubling and often greatly disturbing information can make us overwhelmed and want to not think about it all. As we considered ways to bring our interfaith communities and civic leaders together, we could think of no more important theme than to work against hatred and violence.”

The evening will also feature prayers and music from multiple faith traditions. The event is free and open to the public.

“The Sidney and Beatrice Albert Board for the Interfaith Sanctuary has chosen to gather our community together on the International Day of Peace to expand our understanding of how violence is causing harm to so many communities and how peacemakers are fighting back, and to re-commit ourselves to taking up the work of peace in our corner of the world,” Horgan said.