The National Day of Prayer is a federally recognized observance in the United States, held on the first Thursday of May each year. President Biden recently issued an official proclamation, encouraging citizens to pray for the nation, strengthen unity, and create hope for a better future.
On May 2, the City of Coral Springs in the Miami area hosted a National Day of Prayer event at its Performing Arts Center, which can accommodate over 1,000 attendees. Miami Fo Guang Shan and the BLIA Miami Chapter were invited to participate. Association President Mei Hanzheng led a delegation of six members, including youth group members and senior association leaders, to join 21 religious groups, city officials, and local residents in a multi-faith prayer for the nation.
Among the 21 religious groups, the majority were Christian, along with representatives from Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Native American spiritual traditions. Each group sent youth representatives to the stage to offer prayers in their respective religious traditions. The BLIA Miami Chapter was the only invited Buddhist organization at the event. President Mei, Director Pu Xiufang, and youth member Cao Yuhe took the stage to recite the "Prayer for World Peace" written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, hoping to bring blessings to the nation through the Buddhist philosophy of interdependence and coexistence.
The event was organized by the City of Coral Springs’ Multicultural Advisory Committee and has now reached its 36th year. Committee Chair Sofiya Deen, a Muslim leader, emphasized in her speech that in today’s turbulent world, faith plays a crucial role in bringing peace of mind. She expressed gratitude to all religious groups for their prayers and support for the community. Vice Mayor Shawn Cerra and City Commissioner Joy Carter also delivered greetings and read the mayor’s official National Day of Prayer proclamation.
After the event, Multicultural Advisory Committee Vice Chair Joyce Campos took a commemorative photo with the Miami BLIA members, praising their over 10 years of active participation in supporting the National Day of Prayer.
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