The Parliament of the World’s Religions Opens | WPN World People News

The 2023 Parliament of the World's Religions takes place on August 14-18 at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, with dignitaries, religious and spiritual leaders as well as members of various organizations from around the world in attendance.

Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Chicago, giving the opening remark

Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson attended the opening and extended a warm welcome to all participants. He delivered a speech, emphasizing the importance of the gift of love: “When you love people, you invest in people, and that's what we do here.” He also encouraged people to “connect with your various communities, using your homes and houses of worship and positions to make sure that every resident in this great city and city across the world has a peaceful and prosperous life.”

Rashad Hussain, the U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, delivering a speech at the opening ceremony.

U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain also attended the event and urged people to work together, stressing, “Now is a critical time. It is not a time for us to be fixated on our differences. But it is a time for us to come together, recognizing that we don't see uniformity. We celebrate our differences. We celebrate our traditions, but we must have the unity and purpose.”

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy holding ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love at their booth in the exhibition area

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a video message affirming the theme of the Parliament: “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights,” and stated, “I deeply appreciate your commitment to reach out across communities and come together as one human family, sharing burdens solving problems and seizing opportunities. Thank you for inspiring the best in each of us to build a better world for all of us.”

Bobby Rush (right) having a delightful conversation with Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, leader of Tai Ji Men

The theme of the Parliament echoed the United Nations-designated International Day of Conscience, and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, was instrumental in the UN’s adoption of this UN day. He led nearly 120 Tai Ji Men dizi (disciples) to attend the conference. In addition to engaging in various conferences and exhibitions, they also hosted four booths for the five-day conference.

Preeta Bansal ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love

Tai Ji Men, which has conducted cultural exchanges in over 300 cities in 101 countries, visited Chicago for the first time. It displayed its world tours of love of peace at its booths, featuring its Bell of World Peace and Love. Tai Ji Men members invited attendees to their booths to endorse various declarations for peace, including the Declaration of International Day of Conscience, Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, and Declaration of the World Prayer Day.

Eric Roux (left) receiving "The Key to the Heart" presented by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, leader of Tai Ji Men.

On this momentous occasion, Tai Ji Men invites influential leaders to ring the Bell of World Peace and Love at its booth. The ringing of the bell can inspire people's conscience, which guides them in the right direction and brings stability to the world.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG ringing the Bell of World Love and Peace

Congressman Bobby Rush rang the bell and stated, “Peace will be present when peace is available to all humankind.”

Preeta Bansal, global chair of United Religions Initiative, rang the bell and stated, “May each person have the tools for connecting with what is life-giving and may our extractive/life-draining systems dissolve peacefully.”

Eric Roux, vice president of European Office of the Church of Scientology, rang the bell and stated, “I wish that the ability of all people to create an environment where peace can take place, increases in such a way that it becomes a reality everywhere.”

Steve Sarowitz, CEO of Paylocity, rang the bell and stated, “May the peoples of the world recognize their oneness and do away with the ancient prejudices that have plagued humanity.”

Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG, one of the most influential Sikhs in the world, rang the bell and stated, “We should love everyone, serve everyone, even sacrifice for others–Pray for the happiness and flourishing of all, leaving no body behind. Peace within will bring peace outside–It is inside we have to start with.”

To date, 509 influential leaders from 133 nations, including 59 heads of state and government, seven Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and UN ambassadors, have rung the Bell of World Peace and Love. The collective kind wishes from the bell ringers, as well as the participants of the Parliament, have injected a powerful force of positive energy to bless the Earth.