A Season of Prayer and Peace Action

3 million people gathered for a Peace Action event in Sri Lanka

For more information please go to www.seasonofprayer.org

Beginning September 21st – International Day of Peace

(A joint initiative of seasonofprayer.org, faithfulamerica.org,
The Shalom Center and Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka)


During this season we encourage you to engage

1. your faith community in special times of prayers for peace.


2. with other communities of faith in joint events of witness for peace.


3. In local actions that enhance justice and peace.

We also encourage you to

1. Write new prayers, litanies, meditations and songs and submit them to the Season of Prayer website so others could use them


2. Submit announcements of joint events so others in your area may also participate.


3. Submit stories and pictures of your event.

The Season of Prayer website features prayers, litanies, meditations songs and such prayer aids.


Religious Celebrations and Peace Action Events Calendar

(Several Religious Holy Days occur during this period. Please use those observations as appropriate to promote peace. For more information please see the Shalom Center website: http://www.shalomctr.org)

September 21st: International Day of Peace

Stand up for PEACE on September 21
So far more than 800 events have been posted in 170 countries including concerts, festivals and fairs, conferences, assemblies, ceremonies, prayer services, service projects, marches and parades, peace film screenings, peace vigils and many other observances. For more information please go to:
http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/events.htm
If there aren't any big events taking place near you, get family or friends together and have a Peace Vigil. Please post your event on the InternationalDayOfPeace.org website so that our leaders, the media, and the mainstream will see that we want a more peaceful, just and sustainable world for all, every day of the year!

September 22: Ramadan begins
The Muslim fasting season Ramadan begins (depending on sighting of the new moon) about September 22-24 and ends about October 22 with Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. The month-long commitment to fast from dawn to dusk each day offers food and life-abundance as a sacrifice, focusing on devotion to God instead of on material success, and calls us to turn toward each other in repentance.

September 22 (Evening): Rosh Hashanah begins:
The Jewish New Year begins a month of of turning toward God and toward harmonious relationships among human beings and the earth.

September 23: Navaratri (Nine Nights) to October 1
This Hindu season of prayer and devotion to the Divine Mother in which devotees restrict their food intake to once per day and focus on spiritual disciplines, ending in Vijaya Dashami (October 2) which celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

September 26: Religious Service, Vigil and Non-violent Action – US Senate, Washington DC
The Declaration of Peace National Working Group has set a Framework for Nonviolent Action for the Week of September 21-28 in Washington, D.C., and around the country, aimed at ending the Iraq War.
For more information go to: http://www.shalomctr.org/

October 1: World Communion Sunday (Christian)

October 1 – 2: Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur Retreat, Gainesville Florida
For more information go to: http://www.shalomctr.org/



October 2: Gandhi Jayanti (Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi)
Sarvodaya movement will hold a massive peace demonstration bringing together one million people on Monday, Oct. 2. A two hour long mediation from 3 – 5 p.m. will focus on the theme Vishva Sama Samadhi (the universal consciousness of peace). At a time of increasing violence in Sri Lanka, the peace demonstration is held at the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura located at the edges of the areas of the most serious violence.

For more information go to:
http://www.sarvodaya.org/2006/08/29/universal-peace-meditation/

October 4: St. Francis of Assisi stood almost alone among the Christians of his day in opposing the Crusades and investing months of his life in studying and praying with Muslims


October 8:
“Sacred Seasons, Sacred Earth: An Interfaith Call to Reflect and to Act”
Songs, Chants, Dances, Prayers Celebration in the Sukkah Breakfast meal from Ramadan fast, after sundown

For more information go to: http://www/shalomctr.org