Pictured above: Sister Ruth Stuckel, CSJ; Charanjit Hundal; Doug Alpert; Anand Bhattacharyya; Mahnaz Shabbir; Syed E. Hasan
and Rev. Vern Barnet
The Community Praying for Peace was held on June 9, 2002 at Saint Joseph Health Center’s Community Center (I-435
and Stateline Road). Approximately 40 people attended representing many faiths.
Among the sponsors, cooperating groups, and endorsers were the American Muslim Council-Heartland Chapter, Carondelet Health,
Crescent Peace Society, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Jewish Community Relations Bureau/AJC, Kansas City Harmony, Kansas
City Interfaith Council (CRES), Muslim Students’ Association-UMKC, NCCJ (National Conference for Community and Justice) and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City. Mayor Kay Barnes sent a proclamation for the event.
Congressman Dennis Moore also sent his endorsement.
Prayers and remembrances were prayed in silence for the Americans and other nationals who died that day and their families,
for the innocent victims in Afghanistan, the Palestinians and Israelis who have died in the Middle East conflict, the victims
of internal war in Africa, the dying children in Iraq, the Hindus and Muslims who have died in India’s recent conflict
and Kashmir, for the Christians in conflict in Ireland and elsewhere, for victimized Tibetans, and for Martin Burnham, the
missionary that was killed in the Philippines.
Mahnaz Shabbir, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development at Carondelet Health and one of the organizers,
said, "We prayed for all who suffer from injustice and oppression, that revenge will give way to compassion, that fear and
hatred will be replaced by friendship and peace".
The event ended with Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Interfaith prayers given by Sister Ruth Stuckel, a Sister
of St. Joseph and a member of Carondelet Health Board; Doug Alpert, Vice-Chair, Jewish Community Relations Bureau; Syed E.
Hasan, Ph.D. a Professor of Geology at UMKC; Anand Bhattacharyya; Charanjit Hundal; and Vern Barnet, DMn, Cres minister in
residence.
