Poetry, song and reflection marked the United Nations International Day of Peace in Belfast to create a powerful atmosphere of hope and solidarity.
The event, Our Shared Humanity: Act Now for a Peaceful World, took place on 21 September 2025 and was hosted by Jonny Clark of the Corrymeela Community.
The Community Relations Council supports Corrymeela Community through its Core Funding Scheme.
Jonny guided the diverse programme with warmth and insight, reminding the audience that “Now is the time to be talking about peace. Not in the fluffy, sound-bite sense, but in the sense of that thing that saves lives and interrupts hate.”
Rich Artistic Contribution
The event featured rich artistic contributions arranged by Darren Ferguson of Beyond Skin, including:
- Mael Dee led the audience in Bob Marley’s One Love, evoking the timeless call for unity.
- Maela Amin performed a meditative and captivating dance performance.
- Tyrell Black offering a stirring solo song.
- Local poet, Marty McKenna, shared words of resilience and gratitude.
A very special contribution came from Eve Devlin, Roger Courtney and Norman Richardson who sang City of Sanctuary, composed by Roger, which echoed the spirit of welcome and belonging.
Prayers for Peace
A deeply spiritual moment came through interfaith prayers introduced by Edwin Graham of the Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum. Reflections and prayers were shared by:
- Dr. Satyavir Singhal (Indian Community Centre)
- Mohammed Arshed (Belfast Islamic Centre)
- Paul Fitzsimmons (SGI Buddhist)
- Juanita Majury (Focolare Movement)
These voices, representing different traditions, highlighted the shared yearning for peace across faiths.
Facing the Challenges, Building Hope
The evening also turned to dialogue, with a panel reflecting on the theme “Facing the Challenges, Building Hope in Belfast.”
Panelists Philip McRoberts (St Matthew's Church, Woodvale), Julia Picu–Iwaisi (Corrymeela) and Dr Naomi Green (Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain), spoke about the realities of life in the city while affirming the importance of community action and resilience. They acknowledged the reality of misinformation as a thickening membrane, making it harder for truth to travel across divides.
Yet alongside these stark realities, there was a clear call to resist despair and nurture hope. While some admitted that it is difficult to picture a complete vision of peace, they pointed to the unexpected encounters where hope often breaks through. Others emphasised the power of small, everyday actions as the truest expression of belief – not just words, but daily choices that embody care, justice, and solidarity.
Further Info
Jacqueline Irwin, CEO of the Community Relations Council, reflected recently on the enduring value of the Internation Day of Peace with the article Peace Must Be Built by All of Us; It Won’t Be Delivered by Someone Else.