International Day of Peace marked with music, prayer and pledges at the Farset Hotel
On Sunday evening, 21 September, the Farset Hotel on Belfast’s Springfield Road was filled with song, poetry and reflection as people gathered to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace. The event, “Our Shared Humanity: Act Now for a Peaceful World”, created a powerful atmosphere of hope and solidarity in a city still scarred by division.
The evening was coordinated and MC’d by Jonny Clark of the Corrymeela Community, who guided the diverse programme with warmth and insight. He reminded the audience:
“Now is the time to be talking about peace. Not in the fluffy, sound-bite sense, but in the sense of that thing that saves lives and interrupts hate.”
Music, Dance, and Poetry
The evening featured rich artistic contributions arranged by Darren Ferguson of Beyond Skin, including:
Mael Dee led the audience in Bob Marley’s One Love, evoking the timeless call for unity.
Maela Amin performed a meditative and captivating dance performance.
Tyrell Black offering a stirring solo song.
Local poet, Marty McKenna, sharied words of resilience and gratitude.
A very special contribution came from Eve Devlin, Roger Courtney and Norman Richardson who sang City of Sanctuary, composed by Roger, which echoed the spirit of welcome and belonging.
Prayers for Peace
A deeply spiritual moment came through interfaith prayers introduced by Edwin Graham of the Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum. Reflections and prayers were shared by:
Dr. Satyavir Singhal (Indian Community Centre)
Mohammed Arshed (Belfast Islamic Centre)
Paul Fitzsimmons (SGI Buddhist)
Juanita Majury (Focolare Movement)
These voices, representing different traditions, highlighted the shared yearning for peace across faiths.
Facing the Challenges, Building Hope
The evening also turned to dialogue, with a panel reflecting on the theme “Facing the Challenges, Building Hope in Belfast.”
Panelists Philip McRoberts (St Matthew’s Church, Woodvale), Julia Picu–Iwaisi (Corrymeela) and Dr Naomi Green (Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain), spoke honestly about the realities of life in the city while affirming the importance of community action and resilience. They acknowledged the reality of misinformation as a thickening membrane, making it harder for truth to travel across divides. They noted that international law risks losing credibility when repeatedly ignored, while dehumanisation and lack of empathy create a culture where injustice becomes normalised. Many people, they said, feel overwhelmed — unsure what to do — and the danger is that the silent majority stays silent.
Yet alongside these stark realities, there was a clear call to resist despair and nurture hope. While some admitted that it is difficult to picture a complete vision of peace, they pointed to the unexpected encounters where hope often breaks through. Others emphasised the power of small, everyday actions as the truest expression of belief — not just words, but daily choices that embody care, justice, and solidarity. Together, these reflections pointed to the need for both courage and humility: to speak out against silence, to live peace in ordinary life, and to remain open to hope where it surprises us.
A Pledge for Peace
As the night drew to a close, Fr. Martin Magill and Rev. Tracey McRoberts introduced the Peace Pledge. Participants wrote their commitments on cards, which would be brought to Belfast City Hall as part of the wider city celebration of Peace Day.
Shared Humanity in Action
For many, the event was a moving testament to how far Belfast has come. Fr Martin, who grew up during the Troubles, reflected:
“On some of our darkest days I couldn’t have imagined an evening like tonight to mark the UN International Day of Peace. To those parts of our world facing violence, bloodshed and darkness, on this day, please don’t lose hope. We here are in a better place; praying that you may now know brighter days.”
After the formal programme, many stayed on to share refreshments and conversation, deepening the sense of connection the evening had built.
Jonny quoted words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech, which resonated in each person’t heart:
“Unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
In the Farset Hotel that night, those words felt alive — carried in song, prayer, poetry and the pledges of people determined to keep building peace in Belfast and beyond.