MICA, Manteca Interfaith Community Appeal invites the community to attend the 6th annual International Day of Peace community event on Wednesday, Sept. 21,  from 6 to 7 p.m.

The event will be held at Woodward Park, 710 E. Woodward Ave. in Manteca.

 It is being hosted by members of MICA.  Its members are from St. Paul’s United Methodist church, Transformed through Hope Ministries, The Sikh Community, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Islamic Center of Manteca, The Bahai faith and the Seventh-day Adventist church.  The program for Peace Day will feature local community leaders, members of the various churches, including adults and youth. 

The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on the 21st of September and was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.  This is a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”  The theme for this year’s event is “End Racism, Build Peace”. 

A MICA representative noted, “Our country and the world is in difficult times and are experiencing things such as the pandemic, political strife, division and chaos. Achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms.  It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.” 

Though this event cannot change the whole world, MICA hopes to inspire and motivate us to strive to live in peace and harmony with our fellow man.  One way to accomplish this is by serving and working together.  To quote Ann Frank, ‘How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world’.”