[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

18 March 2009

A National Interfaith Prayer Day will be held on 21 March 2009, Human Rights Day, in Bloemfontein. The Deputy President of the Republic, Ms Baleka Mbete, will present a national message of common vision towards a more peaceful, unified and prosperous South Africa.

Various leaders from government, civil society, community organisations, as well as church leaders will lead the service to commemorate the meaning of Human Rights Day and to celebrate the political, religious and cultural diversity of our country. This prayer service will be held within the context of the upcoming elections and will call for peace, fair and free elections for our democracy.

Dr Mathole Motshekga, Father Smangaliso Mkhatswa and Reverend Vukile Mehane are among the guests who will attend the service in Bloemfontein at the Vista University open grounds.

The interfaith prayer will be conducted by the leadership of different formations, which include African religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Bahai, Christianity and Rastafarianism.

The interfaith prayer by eminent religious leaders will focus on:
* the values of a caring society and ethical leadership
* peaceful elections, deepening and entrenching democracy
* education and health
* crime prevention
* decent jobs
* rural development and agrarian reform
* youth development and
* women and children abuse

The service will be attended by 5 000 to 10 000 people from all over the country.

The events of the day will be characterised by spiritual music and dance, praise singing and prayer and will commence at 09h00 and proceed until 14h00.

Issued by: Free State Provincial Government
18 March 2009