Multifaith silent walk for peace

Image by Michael Preston for Quakers in Britain'

Last Sunday, around 1,000 people attended a multifaith peace walk in Central London, 'Peace in every step'. Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and others participated. One Christian walker was Sr Elizabeth O'Donohoe, a Sister of the Holy Cross.

Sr Elizabeth writes: Since October 7th there have been many ways of demonstrating the desire to find a path to Peace for the Middle East: last Sunday we did it in silence.

Hot foot from morning Mass, we arrived in Trafalgar Square to find that Prayers from the Faiths represented were already being offered. In this Vigil, beautifully organised by the Buddhists of Ticht nacht han's Plum Village and the Quakers, the Walk was preceded by short prayer contributions by each Faith, after which there was a respectful pause and the gong of the Prayer bowl.

Other than religious dress, we had all been asked not to bring any flags or slogans, but instead to wear a white flower - many had made their own or bought fresh ones.

Led by the Faith representatives, we set off in silence down Whitehall. Traffic police cleared the way for us and vehicles were very patient. There really was nothing to disturb our contemplative walk: past Downing Street, round the Cenotaph and back to the Square.

Personally, I found a mantra coming to me - in fact from the music we had sung at Mass earlier: 'Have mercy, have mercy, have mercy, Lord. Have mercy, have mercy have mercy, Lord.' It seemed just right for this occasion.

Nearly an hour later, we were back in the Square.

A short thank you from Rabena Harilall and Judith Baker who had worked so hard to make this all-faiths vigil become a reality, and an invitation, in a gesture of common endeavour, to share our white flower with someone nearby. As can happen on such occasions, I gave mine to someone who recognised me from 30 years ago!

This coming Saturday and Sunday, campaigners will be holding local demonstrations in more than 50 locations around the country. For details click here or visit the ICN Listings page.