Leaders from diverse religions in St. George, Utah came together for an annual New Year's Day Prayer Over the City, emphasizing unity and shared values in a time marred by global conflicts and hate.
ST. GEORGE , Utah — The idea of a priest, a rabbi, an Islamic follower and an LDS leader walking into a room sounds like the start of a comedian’s joke. But in an annual New Year’s tradition in St. George , they and the leaders and followers of other religions came together and actually got along.Between New Orleans and the conflicts around the world, 2025 has started off with notes of hate.But Wednesday at the St. George Tabernacle, 2025 has started off with the music of optimistic unity.
At a time when people talk about what separates people of different religions, Rabbi Helene Ainbinder and Islam community representative Shadman Bashir were sharing a laugh.“I don't find it hard,” said Ainbinder, with the Beit Chaverim Jewish Community of Greater Zion. “I want to go back in time just a little bit when Golda Meir met with Sadat and he said, ‘How are we ever going to have peace?’ She said, ‘Love your children a little more and hate ours a little less. Then I won't have to send my children to kill yours.'”Ainbinder and Bashir are part of the St. George Interfaith Council, which for the 19th straight year held a New Year’s Day Prayer Over the City. Leaders from 12 different faiths presented thoughts and prayers while an interfaith choir with the combined voices of eight different congregations sang.Bashir, who along with serving on the interfaith council directs the International Students program at Utah Tech University, said it’s about looking more for what brings people together and less about what separates them…“Try to identify the similarities rather than focusing on the differences,” Bashir said. “Because no matter who we are, no matter where we come from, there's always similarities.”But he started the first day of the year reading the news… and the word terrorism atop the headlines.“The first thing that comes to my mind is, 'I hope nothing connected to my religion.' It's a huge religio
Interfaith Unity Religion St. George Prayer
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
World Leaders Condemn Deadly New Year's Attack in New OrleansInternational condemnation has erupted following a deadly attack on New Year's Eve revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, which killed at least 10 people and injured dozens more. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas, expressed their condolences and pledged support for the victims and the American people.
Read more »
World Leaders Condemn Deadly New Year's Eve Attack in New OrleansAt least 10 people were killed and dozens more injured in an attack on a crowd of New Year's Eve revelers in New Orleans. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas, have condemned the attack and expressed their solidarity with the US.
Read more »
What's Open and Closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 2024This article lists the operating hours of various businesses like retailers, grocery stores, pharmacies, delivery services, and banks on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 2024.
Read more »
New Year's Day vs. New Year's Eve: Federal Holidays and ObservancesThis article clarifies the difference between New Year's Day and New Year's Eve regarding their status as federal holidays in the United States. It explains the implications for government services and provides information on other holidays observed in January, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day.
Read more »
Crying into the New Year: Taiwan's Unique New Year's Eve TraditionA student's lighthearted Facebook event encouraging people to cry in a Taipei park on New Year's Eve has become a viral cultural phenomenon.
Read more »
What's Open and Closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's DayFind out which businesses will be open and closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, including stores, banks, government offices, schools, and the U.S. Postal Service.
Read more »