Interfaith runs are a regular feature of the World Harmony Run in Toronto.

On Sunday morning the World Harmony Run team was greeted and joined by a group of 20 youth and adults of the Sikh faith - Guru Sabha Gurudwara.

We ran together passing the torch.

Two runners - oneness.

Father Terry Gallagher who had spoken at the Father John Redmond Catholic High School on 21 May (and is very active in the interfaith movement) enthusiastically joins in the days events with Shivaram, coordinator for the Harmony Run Toronto activities."

After a formal welcome we were given scarves to cover our heads, removed our shoes and were led inside where we made our presentation and showed the World Harmony Run video.

Many of the youth also shared their thoughts on harmony and peace.

After the indoor ceremony we were treated to Langaar - the universal Sikh practice of feeding anyone who comes in at any time.

A little more personal interaction and then we gathered outside around their Holy flagpole. We finished off with another short run.  See more pictures at their website http://www.ggscf.com/wp/

Enthusiasm, love and genuine warmth during the entire proceedings were very noticeable.

Later that day we visited the Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Centre where we met serious Buddhist practitioners. We joined them for a few minutes of special meditation and chanting for the World Harmony Run.

We also had a brief World Harmony Run ceremony in a yoga studio where the members also learn the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

During past years Interfaith events have been a regular feature of the World Harmony Run in Toronto.

This has special relevance since the UN and UNESCO are celebrating 2010 as the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures. Davidson Hepburn, President of the General Conference of UNESCO, has sent a message to all participants of the World Harmony Run in which he points out how the year "presents a wonderful opportunity to creatively celebrate cultural diversity and its role in forging ties between cultures and people. There is great value in bringing together different kinds of people, different forces, different views, different religions, and different beliefs."  Read more messages: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/unesco_year

This days runs follow the 21 May event at the Father John Redmond Catholic High School and demonstrated the advantages of people of different beliefs sharing their aspirations for harmony and doing something together that demonstrated their mutual respect for various faith traditions.

– Shivaram trichur

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