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Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, has called on member states to commit to global peace and to pray for it, emphasizing that “peace is needed today more than ever before.”
Guterres made this call at a religious event at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, where a moment of prayer for peace was observed. The gathering took place on a unique day, the last Friday of Ramadan, with Christians celebrating Easter, Jews marking the end of Passover, and Sikhs enjoying the Festival of Vaisakhi.
The ceremony was held at the Visitors Plaza of the UN Secretariat, in front of the Knotted Gun sculpture, an iconic symbol of the organization’s dedication to global peace.
“Even the calendar is sending a message of unity. Today, at this blessed moment of renewal across faiths, let us lift our hearts and voices for peace – our guiding star and our most precious goal,” Guterres said.
According to the UN chief, peace is crucial, particularly now, as war and conflict have led to devastating poverty and hunger, causing tens of millions to flee their homes. He also noted that the entire planet is struggling with climate change, and even peaceful countries are dealing with significant inequalities and political polarization.
“Let us hold firm to the common faith that unites the human family. Let us come together as communities and countries. Let us pray for peace,” he said.
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