Sixth Annual Multi-Faith
Prayer Breakfast
 |
| Muslim
faith audience |
Korean
Church performers |
L
to R: Zafar Abbas, Sarfaraz Khan and others |
Los Angeles, CA: Over
2300 people crammed into the gymnasium at Los Angeles Southwest
Collage to be a part of the largest multi-faith prayer breakfast
in the state of California There was a real sense of freedom
in which we could genuinely appreciate the diversity of
us all.
The Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast, a segment of Community
Day, was birthed as a result of a need to bring about healing
to our communities through clergy and community leaders.
In the past, the Community Day Prayer Breakfast was attended
largely by Christians, which represented in part the diversity
and complexity of the community.
The Prayer Breakfast doors needed to be opened to a larger
audience. It was the input of Sheriff Leroy D. Baca in his
genius that has helped us to open the door of the Clergy
Breakfast in order to bring it to a Multi-Faith level. The
ideas of Sheriff Baca have proven to be the best things
ever in building unity throughout the County of Los Angeles.
We shall continue on this effort, which has been the catalyst
that is bringing people together from all walks of life.
A special Thank you to our Sheriff.
On September 11, 2001, the United States was hit with the
most horrific terrorist attack in its history. Thousands
of people lost their lives; families across this nation
were devastated by its effect. The need to unite and come
together was even greater. Everyone was being judged. People
were being attacked for no reason other than that they appeared
to be of Middle Eastern descent. Fear had set in the hearts
of the people. Something needed to be done openly and from
a united front; therefore, the expanding of the Community
Day vision has encompassed the Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast.
Sherif
Leroy D. Baca and Sarfaraz Khan |
Through the joint efforts
of Sheriff Leroy D. Baca, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department Multi-Faith Clergy Councils and the Helping Our
People Excel for Life Foundation (H.O.P.E. for Life Foundation),
we hosted several Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfasts. This event
is attended by representatives from all religious sects:
Jewish, Muslim, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, and others.
Each group laid aside personal beliefs and focused on the
task at hand - unity. The goal of the Multi-Faith Prayer
Breakfast is to strengthen and unite all people regardless
of race, color, creed or religion.
The event started with prayers of Bishop Edward Turner,
Director Sheriff’s Clergy Council. Many Councilmen
and women also attended the event. LA Sheriff Leroy D. Baca
address the audience and said it was very important for
us to attend this event and work hard to unite people in
a changing world. He welcomed all people and thanked them
for their role in making the event successful.
LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also addressed the gathering
and observed that Los Angeles was a very diverse county
and we have to work to understand each others faith, we
must love and respect each other.
Assemblyman Ray Hanes also addressed the gathering. Radio
host John Sally present on the occasion was the master of
the ceremony.
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