Praying together for peace

The rhetorical question "Do we want peace?" was answered by the participants with a resounding yes. And so began the 1st Beckum Peace Prayer, which was organised by the Arab-German Association, the German-Turkish Cultural Association, the DPSG St. Stephanus Beckum, volunteers, the Protestant and Catholic churches in Beckum and Neubeckum, the integration management of the town of Beckum, the Mescid-i Aksa Mosque in Neubeckum and pupils from the Roncalli School in Beckum.

The participants sang and prayed for peace in different languages. One thing unites us all: the desire for a more peaceful world and a more peaceful coexistence. The prayer for peace was symbolically framed by the artwork "Angel of Cultures", which unites the symbols of the three Abrahamic world religions on behalf of all cultures and religions. In addition to the cross (Christianity), the Star of David (Judaism) and the crescent moon (Islam), an angel or dove of peace can also be recognised. The angel is regarded as a protector and messenger in all three religions.

Pupils from the Roncalli School in Beckum also sent out a clear signal with their peace song: "Peace for all under the canopy of heaven, no matter what language in the world! There is a thought that unites and holds us together".

Fittingly, this year's motto for the Light of Peace from Bethlehem was "In search of peace". Scouts from the German Scout Association of St George (DPSG) in Beckum brought it to the Beckum Peace Prayer and passed it on. The Peace Light also symbolises the common desire for peace.