UNITED SIKHS JOINS NATIONAL FAITH LEADERS TO MARK 9/11 WITH NY 'UNITY WALK'

New York Sept 2 nd , 2006 : In the spirit of unity - Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Shinto and Sikh, leaders will guide participants on a 3-mile "Unity Walk" on Monday, September 11th in New York City , from Union Square Park to the World Trade Center site at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. The Sikhs will join the march on 2 nd avenue , 10 th Street . The effort is in the spirit of interfaith appreciation and understanding.

At St. Peter's, UNITED SIKHS Director, Mankanwal Singh will present UNITED SIKHS’ message of peace and harmony and the positive spirit of “Chardi Kala". The other Sikh speaker will be Harpreet Singh Toor, President, Sikh Educational Foundation

Sikh volunteers will serve participants a cooked meal prepared by the Sikh community, reinforcing the tradition of generosity and equality.

Sikhs from the tri-state area are invited to participate in this walk.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11:

Speakers: Salman Ahmad, world-famous singer and UN Goodwill Ambassador; Sister Annabel, Resident Nun, Green Mountain Dharma Center; Ms. Preeti Bansal, Commissioner, US Commission on International Religious Freedom; Imam Mahdi Bray, Executive Director, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation; The Rev. Chloe Breyer, Board Member, Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation; Rabbi Irving Greenberg, President, Jewish Life Network; Rev. Bud Heckman Executive Director, Religions for Peace-USA; Rev. Suzue Nitobe, International Shinto Foundation, Inc.; Swami Parameshananda, Bharat Sevashram Sangha; Imam Izak-el Pasha Resident Imam, Masjid Malcolm Shabazz; Sheikh Fadhel al-Sahlani, Resident Imam, Imam Al-Khoei Benevolent Foundation; Mankanwal Singh, Director, UNITED SIKHS; Ms. Zainab al-Suwaij, Executive Director, American Islamic Congress; Mr. Harpreet Singh Toor, President, Sikh Educational Foundation

WHEN: Monday, September 11, 2006 – 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: 4:40 p.m. : Participants will gather in Union Square Park (SW corner of Union Square ) for 5 p.m. opening ceremony. The first prayer offered will be of the Sikhs at the SE corner of 2 nd Ave and 20 th st, in remembrance of victims of 9/11, especially Balbir Singh Sodhi who was shot and killed in Arizona and those who have been victims of hate crime after 9/11, on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 10th street. Walk begins at 5:30 p.m. sharp, stopping at the ISKCON center (26 2 nd Ave.) at 5:50 p.m., the Eldridge St. Project (12 Eldridge St.) at 6:30 p.m., at the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Order (245 W. Broadway) at 7:00 p.m., concluding at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church (22 Barclay St. at Church St) for a closing interfaith service from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Dozens of other leaders and individuals from the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian faiths will also participate in the walk.

World-famous Muslim singer Salman Ahmad will perform for the closing ceremony at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. People of all faiths will walk together through the heart of lower Manhattan , striving to know thy neighbor and love thy neighbor!

The Unity Walk originated in 2005 in Washington D.C. and has generated interest for similar walks in Amman , Islamabad , Istanbul , London , New Delhi and South Africa .

Sponsors Include
Points of Light Foundation
InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
Religions for Peace USA
United Religions Initiative of Washington, DC (URI-DC)

Co Sponsors
All Dulles Area Muslim Society
Union for Reform Judaism
UNITED SIKHS
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Amnesty International
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
September Eleventh Families for a Peaceful Tomorrow
The Network of Spiritual Progressives
ISKCON
Americans for Informed Democracy
Our Voices Together
United Religions Initiative
Muslim Public Affairs Council
United Nations Association of the National Capital Area
As Kindred Spirits
Faith in Public Life
Sojourners Call to Renewal
Service for Peace
Catholic Charities USA
Episcopal Relief and Development
Daniel Pearl Foundation
Soka Gakkai International – USA
American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee
Pluralism Project
Partners for Peace
Initiatives of Change
United Church of Christ
U.S. Copts Association
Peace Brigades
World Trade Center Memorial Found.
The Tajiri Institute
Interfaith Youth Core
Wholeness for Humanity
Muslim American Soc. Freedom Foundation (MAS)
Pax Christi
Foundation for Mid East Peace
Islamic Relief USA
Food For Life
Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship
The Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington (IFFP)
UPI Religion and Spirituality Forum
Armenian National Institute
Brahma Kumaris
Sufi Order International
Council on American Islamic Relations
Muslim Public Service Network
Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance
International Council of Community Churches
International League of Muslim Women
Communities of Peace Foundation
Si kh Council on Religion and Education

Issued by:
Arvind Kaur
Multifaith Program Coordinator
UNITED SIKHS
arvind.kaur@unitedsikhs.org
1-888-243-1690

Our Mission

To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.

UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.

UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.

Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.

We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.