________________
PEACE THROUGH PERFORMING ARTS
Outside my office window, the sky on September 11, 2001, was clear blue and beautiful. Shortly before 9 AM while checking e-mail I heard that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I almost ran to the other side of our floor. In next two hours, we saw the second tower hit and collapse. Since then Sept. 11 has become a new word with a new meaning. In the weeks and months that followed, the thirst for knowledge took a different direction. People wanted to know more about Islam and other religions. They want a life where they understand each other and where there is hope for a better future.
Naresh Jain njain52253@aol.com
When people were recovering from the disaster at the World Trade Center, where many of New Jersey residents perished, the Monmouth Center for
Naresh Jain co-chairs the World Religions and Ethical Thought held its first 'United We Sing' program
Interfaith Committee of the to bring different faiths and communities together to start the process of
Federation of Jain Associations healing. Children in colorful costumes from International Jain Sangh of New
in North America (JAINA). Jersey recited Namokar Mantra in that program attended by 14 faith groups.
He also serves as Since it was a big success, this program has been repeated every year on
Vice President of the the last Sunday before Thanksgiving.
International Jain Sangh,
Trustee of the Educare Foundation, Bharatiya Vidya Bahvan organized the second Ahimsa Diwas (Day of
Advisor to Nonviolence) program in New York on May 11, 2003. A highlight of this the Board of the Monmouth Center program was an interfaith seminar on "Ahimsa: A Religious perspective".
of World Religions
and Ethical Thought; and a We included a prayer "Iswar Allah Tero Naam" choreographed by a Bharat
Member of the Board of the Natyam artist Divya Jain. The dancers in the background had placards of
Council for a Parliament of the many religious symbols. The item was very well received. Artistic
World's Religions. performances and colorful costumes seemed to be doing the trick. After all, art and music know no political and religious boundaries.
The gyrating motions of the 'Whirling Dervishes' dance from the Sufi sect of Islamic mysticism in the 2004 Barcelona Parliament of World's Religions were spellbinding. The Sacred Music Concert held outdoors in the Sagrada Familia Church premises was the most attended event during the eight day Parliament. Over 5,000 participants from around the globe representing every religion practiced on earth rose from their seats listening to the beats and rhythms of the Sheva, Jewish and Muslim music ensemble from Israel with roots in Hebrew, Arabic and Tribal cultures. They sang, clapped and danced together that evening. JAINA had sponsored two youth in the Barcelona Parliament Academy Scholarship, Nirav Shah from Connecticut and Karishma Shah from U.K. In the closing ceremony we were amazed to watch Nirav perform on violin at the stage with other youth. Later we learned that music had made him popular among youth from around the world. Dance and music is a great way to keep the youth connected with our traditions.
Watching the reaction of participants in several interfaith events, we learnt that performing arts is a great communication media to promote peace and
14th Biennial )AINA Convention 2007
74
PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
Jain Education Intemational
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
