The International Torch for Peace Foundation requests the presence of the Sikh community at their upcoming One Nation, One Peace service which will be held February 8, 2025 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The service begins at 11 am EST.
The event, titled One Nation, One Peace: An Interfaith Service Unifying Nonviolence and Building Communities of Trust will bring together leaders from diverse traditions to stand for one message: peace is possible.
Today, the United Nations estimates that over 2 billion people, or one-quarter of the world’s population, live in conflict-affected areas. Unfortunately, interfaith tensions contribute to this violence.
500 years ago, the founder of the Sikh tradition, Guru Naanak, set a beautiful example relating to interfaith harmony and cooperation. He inspired a spiritual renaissance where people’s common humanity mattered more than their particular religious affiliation. The resulting cooperation helped create more peaceful, just and prosperous communities.
The work of The International Torch for Peace Foundation seeks to cultivate community through similar principles. The One Nation, One Peace service on February 8 will:
- Honor and celebrate unity among all faiths, races, and cultures.
- Promote the philosophy of nonviolence as a tool for healing, transformation, and societal progress.
- Raise awareness and funds for the ongoing peace-building initiatives of the International Torch for Peace Foundation.
- Amplify voices that inspire collective action against violence, systemic inequity, and division.
Members of the Sikh community are invited to attend the service, which will begin at 11 am at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Many leaders within the Sikh community will be honored during the service, including:
Manjit Singh – Co-founder and Board President for the Sikh American Legal and Defense Fund (SALDEF).
Krishna Kaur Khalsa – who sang kirtan at the Harimandir Sahib, Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1980 – which designates her as the first woman to sing kirtan at the Golden Temple in modern times.
Ms. Kiran Kaur Gill – Executive Director for the Sikh American Legal and Defense Fund (SALDEF).
Ek Ong Kaar Khalsa Michaud – former Executive Director for SikhNet.com and Sikh theologian.
In addition, the world-renowned Chardikala Jetha will play kirtan during the service.
Research from The International Peace Institute (https://www.ipinst.org/) shows that non-violent movements are twice as effective as violent uprisings in achieving long-term change. As trust in formal institutions continues to decline, there is a need for to create inclusive conversations with representatives of all faiths, races and cultures.
Please join this unique and special service on February 8 and come pray for the world we wish to create together. Light a candle in remembrance of victims of violence. The Torch for Peace will be illuminated and presented at the service.
For more information, to RSVP or to help sponsor this event, email [email protected].
"Peace is not passive. It is active, intentional, and requires the commitment of every individual, community, and leader. Together, through trust, unity, and nonviolence, we can achieve a world where peace is not a distant dream but a lived reality. The International Torch for Peace Foundation invites you to join us on this transformative journey.
