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Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Scientologists, and members of other faiths and beliefs gathered at St. Basil Catholic Church in Los Angeles for the\u00a09th Annual Interfaith Solidarity March\u00a0and forum on Sunday, June 2. The event, organized\u00a0to foster unity, peace and understanding among different faith communities, addressed pressing issues. Key among them were the Israel-Hamas War and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the resulting\u00a0spike in hate crimes<\/a> against Jews, Muslims and Arabs reported in other parts of the globe.<\/p>\n The program was organized and produced by the\u00a0Institute for Religious Tolerance, Peace and Justice (IRTPJ), led by Dr. Arik Greenberg, founder and president of the nonprofit, who also serves on the Loyola Marymount University theology faculty.\u00a0<\/p>\n Those taking part in the march were urged to walk next to someone they didn\u2019t already know, particularly someone of a different faith from their own. It was suggested that by getting to know and understanding an individual who may hold different views from our own, we may learn that communication and interfaith dialogue can be transformative.<\/p>\n Rev. Olivia McDuff of the Church of Scientology International, master of ceremonies at the march launch, acknowledged Dr. Greenberg and described him as \u201ca strong voice for peace.\u201d She said, \u201cHis persistence and passion for bringing all faiths together are the foundation of the initiative\u2019s success. This program develops trust among different faith communities, and this is of vital importance. In the words of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard,\u00a0\u2018On the day when we can fully trust each other, there will be peace on Earth.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Following the march, a\u00a0panel discussed the crises in Gaza and Israel. It was moderated by Father Alexei Smith,\u00a0Ecumenical\u00a0and\u00a0Interreligious Officer\u00a0of the\u00a0Roman Catholic Archdiocese\u00a0of\u00a0Los Angeles.<\/em><\/p>\n Father Smith believes the answer to these issues require moving far beyond\u00a0\u201ctolerance,\u201d which he\u00a0considers to be a negative word. \u201cIt means \u2018I\u2019ll put up with you.\u2019 We\u2019re certainly much beyond merely\u00a0putting up<\/em>\u00a0with other religions, and we should allow ourselves to be\u00a0open<\/em>\u00a0to other faiths. Allow them to nurture us as we nurture and encourage them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is critically important that people today see that men and women of various faith traditions can live harmoniously. We don\u2019t always agree. But we must not let our disagreements prevent us from working together for the greater good.\u201d<\/p>\n Panelist Aziza Hasan, Executive Director of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, shared her personal perspective on discrimination and hate.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter 911, there was so much pain and loss and grief in people\u2019s hearts,\u201d she said. \u201cAs Americans and Muslims, we were upset and grieving along with everyone else. We became the target of people\u2019s anger and hate. A number of interfaith allies made a human chain around us. They said, \u2018We want you to know that we love you.\u2019 That was a key moment because they were there for us when it mattered.<\/p>\n \u201cAn inclusive and respectful society starts at home; it starts with me. And it\u2019s really actually about me being willing to look at myself in the mirror and say, \u2018What can I do better? How can I show up for other communities? And who was already showing up for me.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n She believes that regardless of our own religious beliefs, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and respectful society.<\/p>\n The mission of IRTPJ is to promote religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue and education about religions of the world as a pathway to world peace.<\/p>\n For more information, visit the website at instituteforreligioustolerance.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n