New York City Interfaith Gathering Commemorates HWPL Peace Law Anniversary

More than 100 participants, including community and religious leaders, gathered at the CUNY School of Law to commemorate the ninth anniversary of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light's (HWPL) international law for peace. The event, co-hosted by multiple religious and community organizations, focused on promoting religious freedom and peaceful coexistence. As an international peace non-governmental organization with special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), HWPL's legal framework addresses critical global peace initiatives. The organization's international law encompasses 10 articles and 38 clauses, with the recent event specifically highlighting articles 8-10, which emphasize interfaith harmony and cultural understanding.

The commemoration event aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 16 and 17, which promote peaceful societies and global partnerships for sustainable development. Performances by HWPL volunteers and representatives from the United Sikhs and the Hindu Temple Society of North America underscored the event's collaborative spirit. HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee, whose remarks were shared during the event, emphasized the collective responsibility in maintaining peace. "There are things that humanity needs to keep to protect peace," Lee stated. "If we don't work for it, who will? So even religions, we should all transcend different authorities and differences but work together as brothers and family for the shared goal of peace."

The New York gathering was part of a global series of commemorative events, with the primary celebration taking place in Cheongju, South Korea. By bringing together diverse religious and community leaders, HWPL continues to advance its mission of fostering international understanding and peaceful coexistence. The event's significance lies in its practical demonstration of how legal frameworks can facilitate interfaith dialogue and cooperation. This gathering represents a tangible step toward implementing the principles outlined in HWPL's international law, particularly those addressing religious freedom and cultural understanding. The participation of organizations like the United Sikhs and the Hindu Temple Society of North America highlights the growing recognition among diverse faith communities that collaborative efforts are essential for sustainable peace. The alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals further underscores the global relevance of such initiatives, positioning local interfaith cooperation as a crucial component of broader international peacebuilding efforts.

The implications of this anniversary commemoration extend beyond symbolic recognition, serving as a model for how cities like New York can leverage their diverse populations to advance peace initiatives. As religious tensions continue to challenge communities worldwide, events that bring together leaders from different faith traditions demonstrate practical pathways toward reconciliation and mutual understanding. HWPL's approach, combining legal frameworks with grassroots interfaith engagement, offers a replicable model for other metropolitan areas seeking to address religious conflicts through structured dialogue and cooperation. The organization's consultative status at ECOSOC provides additional legitimacy to these efforts, connecting local actions in New York with global peacebuilding mechanisms at the United Nations. This integration of local and international peace initiatives represents a significant development in how cities can contribute to global stability through organized interfaith collaboration.