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
