Leeds faith community marks 25 years since 9/11 with powerful message of peace and unity
‘True security lies in global cooperation’
A Leeds faith group has marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a message calling for peace, unity and greater understanding between different faiths.
The Bahá’í Faith is a worldwide religion which believes in the unity of humanity and the harmony of the world’s major religions.
The Leeds community has been actively involved in interfaith work in the city for more than 50 years, including through its involvement with Concord: Leeds Interfaith Fellowship.
In a statement marking the anniversary, the community said it was joining people across Yorkshire and around the world in reflecting on the events of September 11, 2001.
It said: “On this 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Bahá’í Community of Leeds joins with communities across Yorkshire and worldwide to reflect on our shared humanity and reaffirm our commitment to peace, unity, and interfaith understanding.”
The community said its work with other faith groups was rooted in the belief that “true security lies not in division or force, but in global cooperation and moral transformation”.
Following the attacks in 2001, the Bahá’í community published a vision for achieving lasting world peace, based around six key principles.
These include recognition of the oneness of humanity, the elimination of racism, equality between women and men, tackling economic inequality, overcoming excessive nationalism and promoting religious harmony.
The Leeds community said these principles remained relevant 25 years on.
It said: “In an increasingly interconnected world, genuine security and lasting peace require deep international fellowship, spiritual renewal, and a collective dedication to justice.”
The statement concluded with another quotation from Bahá’u’lláh: “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”