ADC Joins the Peace Pole Project
The words are simple but powerful, “May peace prevail on Earth.” This is the message on the peace pole which was posted by the African Development Center (ADC) on June 3rd in collaboration with St. Martin’s Table and Trinity Lutheran Congregation. The words are written in many languages including Somali, Amharic, Arabic, and English representing people who live in the neighborhood and across the Twin Cities. The pole is located in front of the ADC building around a profusion of flowers. The event attracted about fifty friends of the ADC, St. Martin’s Table and Trinity Lutheran Congregation.
There was live music at the dedication ceremony and people from the neighborhood enjoyed the sunny afternoon by mingling. A reception followed in the Le Sueur conference room at the ADC where food and drinks were served. The event brought people together in celebration and with a commitment toward peace.
The Peace Pole Project is the official project of the World Peace Prayer Society and was begun in Japan by Masahisa Goi in 1955 after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The project has since grown into more than 200 countries. Peace poles can be found in the pyramids in Egypt, on the border between Israel and Jordan, and at the location where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. People from all walks of life have spoken out in support of this movement including Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and former President Jimmy Carter.
The phenomenon is especially relevant in a community as diverse as Cedar-Riverside, where people come from such war-torn backgrounds. “Many of our clients and community members live with painful pasts from their conflict-torn countries. We are deeply acquainted with this pain, and we believe that it is extremely important to live and promote peace. For us, this peace pole symbolizes peace on a truly global scale – beginning locally and reaching national and international levels,” said ADC Founder and Executive Director Hussein Samatar. Although the ADC, St. Martin’s Table and Trinity Lutheran Congregation come from different backgrounds, we share the same vision of peace expanding through small acts and spreading globally. “This pole presents an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to peace and our dedication to this neighborhood. We believe that there is tremendous power in collective action; this effort makes a profound statement to all in our community that we share a global vision for peace,” said Pastor Jane from Trinity Lutheran Congregation.
ADC, St. Martin’s Table and Trinity Lutheran Congregation join together to promote peace in our neighborhood and in our world. May peace prevail on Earth.
