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By Maha Kamal
It's New Year's Eve, and there is festivity in the air as we all prepare for the start of 2010, a year we hope and pray promises a better present and future for us all. Closing a tumultuous 2009, the American Muslim Voice Foundation organized an inter-faith event and a candlelight vigil to promote understanding, acceptance and harmony among a diverse group of Americans.
It was encouraging to see inter-faith harmony in practice, as the panel included Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim speakers, all of whom shared messages of hope, peace and friendship, and offered prayers for a better future. Founding executive director of AMV Samina Sundas started the event by thanking all the guests and spreading a message full of hope and promise. She spoke eloquently on why we need to keep hope alive within us, even though the times seem dismal. It was particularly heart-wrenching when she talked about Pakistan 's current political instability as a result of the government support for the War on Terror. Every day life is becoming so difficult for Pakistanis, she said, particularly children who do not have a nurturing environment to grow up in because of bomb threats. However, she pointed out that we should not lose hope, and continue to pray for peace in the world.
Rev. Dr. Diana Gibson from Council of Churches in Santa Clara, CA, continued the same message of hope in the Christian tradition, and how in these times inter-faith harmony is integral. She emphasized the importance of promoting greater understanding of one another in the hope for a better tomorrow. 
Neil Penn, member of Tikkon also emphasized the importance of multi-faith understanding.
Imam Illias Anwar from South Bay Islamic Association led the audience in a prayer for a better tomorrow. He said he came across a prayer during the Gulf War that was even relevant for us today as we ask God for the same things: peace and prosperity.
Panelist Eric R. Stietzel from the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, West Bay Chapter, rightfully pointed out how Americans in general know so little about Buddhism, other than the Dalai Lama. He said we should learn more about each other's faiths. He narrated an anecdote where the Dalai Lama replied, "kindness" when asked about his religion, and said we should have the same spirit of altruism and philanthropy as we strive to promote peace. He rang a gong, and the sound was calming, creating a mood of meditation during which the audience thought about solutions for world problems, and prayed for peace in the world.
Lynne Stietzel insightfully pointed out that we should encourage children's participation in such events to promote awareness, as children are the future of the world. Her suggestion was met with a round of applause.
It was soon time for Maghrib (sunset) prayer and the room resonated with the calming words of the Azaan (call to prayer). Everyone listened attentively, and it was a true display of harmony among diverse people. Beautiful tea-light candles in the shape of a peace sign and a delicious chocolate cake inscribed with "Peace on Earth" added to the evening's peaceful ambiance.
After the prayer, we all gathered for a candlelight vigil with hopes and prayers for peace and friendship in the world, and a promising start to the year 2010.
Dr. Waheed Siddiqee, a senior member in the Muslim community was invited to cut the cake. Samosas, aloo cholay, fruit chaat, basboussa and chai were offered as refreshments as we engaged in conversations and learned about different cultures and faiths.
We thanked God for the evening's success and ended the event, unanimously praying for peace, friendship and renewed hope for the New Year.
(The author is a student at Boston University. It was her first AMV event.)
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