Jews, Christians, and Muslims working together

Prayers for Peace: Contemplative Traditions in Contact

June 29, 2008

Recently in Brunswick, Melbourne, two contemplative traditions met (perhaps for the first time) in a shared prayer service that incorporated Zikhr and Taize chanting.

Zikhr, or Dhikr, is an Arabic word meaning “remembrance”. In Islam, Zikhr refers to any practice which leads to greater awareness of God. These practices include repetition of the name of allah (God), uttering short phrases of praise, controlled breathing, movement, and any everyday activity performed with awareness of God’s presence. The Zikhr used in the Prayers for Peace service is based on the form used by the Chisti Order, a sufi (or mystical) tradition within Islam. The Chisti order was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami (“the Syrian”) who brought Sufism to the town of Chist, some 95 miles east of herat in present-day western Afghanistan about 930 C.E. and continues to this day. The Chisti order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness.

The Taize tradition of chant takes its name from the town of Taize, in the south of Burgundy, France, the home of an international Christian ecumencial community founded in 1949 by Brother Roger. The community is committed to material and spiritual sharing and to a greater simplicity of life. People from all around the world visit Taize every year to participate in prayer, singing and silence and to share in the life of the community. In Taize style, short songs or chants are sung and repeated again and again, giving them a meditative quality. Using just a few words they express a reality of faith, and our deep longing for the divine.

The shared service arose from two friends, Leesl and Rasheeda, discussing their respective contemplative traditions. Leesl is involved in organising Taize services which take place monthly in the church of the Brunswick Christian Fellowship. Nearby, Rasheeda helps to coordinate a regular Zikhr gathering. The two friends decided to seek a way of allowing the two traditions to meet.

Prayers for Peace opened with Zikhr, led by Ustad Khalil Gudaz. In between chants, verses from the Koran and the Old and New Testaments were read. After a period silence, people joined in Taize chants, interspersed with readings from the Persian Sufi Poet, Hafiz, and Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). In a long period of quiet contemplation, particpants came and lit candles, placing them upon a map of the world, and offered prayers of intercession, reconciliation and healing. After each prayer, the group offered a chant asking for God’s mercy.

The service closed with a prayer from Pax Christi:

O God, you are the source of life and peace
Muslims, Christians, and jews remember, and profoundly affirm,
that they are followers of the one God,
Children of Abraham, brothers and sisters;
enemies begin to speak to one another;
those who were estranged join hands in friendship;
nations seek the way of peace together.

Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these truths by the way we live.
Give to us:
Understanding that puts an end to strife;
Mercy that quenches hatred, and
Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.
Empower all people to live in your law of love
Amen.

It was the first time for many of the Muslim and Christian participants to meet one other, and there was a sense of profound respect following the sharing of each others’ traditions and texts.

A similar service, including Jewish and Buddhist traditions, is being held on Friday 11th July 2008 from 1-2 pm at the Pilgrim house of Prayer, St Augustine Church, Bourke St, Melbourne (between Spencer St and King St).

Mark

Related posts:

1. Great way to experience interfaith contact
2. Abrahamic initiative for mid-east peace
3. Wellington Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East – audio
4. Peace Camp Initiative
5. Interview with Issa Jaber Abu Ghosh

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