Amidst the madness-II ... This Sunday #be4Peace. And Sapan News news
A global virtual vigil to join for 10 minutes between 10am-12 pm. Plus: Sapan News, Tasveer, and Newsmatch; revisiting the Aragalya in Colombo and India-Pakistan cricket matches - and books!
Greetings friends,
If you can spare 10 minutes this Sunday, hope you will join in a global virtual vigil #be4peace, a call made by Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan).
The non-performative initiative, being organised in collaboration with the Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA), India, aims to “envision/pray for an end to the violence at home and elsewhere, for a ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine, and for hostages and child prisoners to be freed.”
Anyone can join regardless of their faith -- or lack thereof -- and focus on positive energy, love, and compassion.
How to participate:
Set a timer - earmark 10-15 minutes whenever you may be between 10 am-12 noon in your time zone.
You may be alone with family and friends or in a religious congregation of any faith.
Take 10-15 minutes to breathe, pray, or meditate in whichever way you choose, and envisage an end to violence at home and abroad. You can pray, tap, chant, or just be. Be for peace. #Be4Peace
Respected politician and human rights activist Farhatullah Babar “wholeheartedly” supports this call. “Silent prayers and positive thoughts radiate positive energy and have a profound impact,” he told Sapan News.
Over 30 organisations around the world plus many individuals have pledged support, from Tel Aviv, Sydney, and Melbourne, to Dubai, and cities in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UK, and the USA. For a list of who’s joining, see the post at the Sapan Events tab.
Faith-based organisations supporting the #be4peace call include the Gandhi Global Family; Hindus for Human Rights; Indian Pluralism Foundation; the Islamic Education Society of Lexington; Islamic Relief and Research Trust, Kashmir, India; Loktantrik Rashtra Nirman Abhyan; Mohsinini Resource Center; the Sikh community of Boston; United Sikhs; Society for Communal Harmony India; the Satya Dharam Samvad, compassionate Acharyas of the Hindu religion; and Muslims for Progressive Values
Reiki practitioners and TaiChi groups will also join, as will cultural organisations like the Joy of Urdu, Majha House Amritsar, Seniors for Seniors, India, besides World Humanist Forum, Asia, and social organisations like ReSolv Education and Training programs and Rotary International, District 3271, Sindh and Baluchistan.
Latest Sapan News features
Sapan News syndicated features are available for republication with due credit.
Peacemongers around the world to join in a global virtual vigil on Sunday across time zones - a call endorsed by over 30 organisations and many individuals around the world. Nov 11. 2023
Does India-Pakistan cricket have to be ‘war without the shooting’? by poet and freelance columnist Malinda Seneviratne, Nov. 1, 2023
Sri Lanka: Why was the ‘Aragalaya’ personal to me? - Rumi Nagpal, a half-Indian, half-Sri Lankan teenager reflects on tumultuous political events, Oct. 27, 2023
Shoutout to our first two monthly sustainers, journalist Amina Saiyid in Washington D.C., and cricket coach Jalaluddin, former Pakistan national team fast-bowler and world record holder for the first ever hat-trick in ODI cricket. We are so grateful for your support.
Support our work
More than 50 organizations and dozens of notable personalities have endorsed the Sapan Founding Charter. Together, we're changing the way Southasia perceives and is perceived, and how we communicate about peace and related issues.
We need your help to keep going. If you like what we do, please consider making a one-time or regular monthly donation. All contributions are tax-freeSapan News news
Sapan News qualifies for Newsmatch!
We are thrilled to announce that Sapan News has a new fiscal sponsor, the nonprofit Tasveer, the acclaimed, long running South Asia film festival in Seattle WA. Becoming independent from Southasia Peace is a step towards our goal of developing Sapan News to a professional setup, and has qualified Sapan News to participate in Newsmatch.
This will double the impact of contributions to Sapan News. We are in the process of setting that up. Watch this space!
Thank you for reading Sapan Alliance newsletter.
Please keep spreading and sharing the inspirational and the good.