The speakers were:

• Government - Ericka Benedicto - Executive Director of Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission
• Education - Ms. Lillie Alexis - President of Shorter College
• Faith - Imam Aquil Hamidullah - Imam of Islamic Center for Human Excellence
• Non-Profit - Rev. Bennie Johnson - Founder of Stop the Violence, Inc.

Mrs. Benedicto explained how her commission is working to improve relations among citizens of Little Rock, working with community leaders and pastors to improve resources available to residents in the area. She described the work of city commissions in addressing different areas of development work, and how each is trying to involve a wider spectrum of people representing the racial composition of the city.

Ms. Alexis addressed the importance of education for young people and how it can help them access greater opportunity for their future. Imam Hamidullah stressed the importance of the faith community’s involvement in the lives of those in the city - getting to know the people, the issues and problems they face, and engaging in efforts to make things better.

Rev. Johnson was personally affected by black on black crime in Little Rock in 1991, and decided to do something about it. He started “Stop the Violence” to reach young black men and provide them with positive alternatives. Through programs, counseling and mentoring for youth, his organization is making a difference. All of the speakers gave inspiring addresses and stimulated good discussion at the end through the Q & A time. The consensus was that this was a significant and valuable forum.

On September 21^st an interfaith prayer service was also held at Shorter College from noon to 1 p.m. Rev. Anthony B. Taylor, Catholic Bishop of the Little Rock Diocese offered a Christian prayer. He then read a communication from the Vatican to the Muslim world upon their completion of Ramadan, which was very meaningful.

Rabbi Gene Levy of the Temple B'Nai Israel shared a Jewish prayer and explained the meaning of the word Shalom and the different contexts in which it is actually used, the most significant being “Peace be upon you” or “are you at peace” or “are you whole, complete”.

Johnny Hasan gave a Muslim prayer. Mrs. Lisa Armstrong gave a beautiful Baha'i prayer. It was very uplifting, emphasizing that for God there are no barriers to divide us - truly we are one family under God and the whole world is our home. She stressed that the same ought to be true for us also.

Dr. Dileep Vyas gave a Hindu explanation that God is everywhere and in everything. All of us have a “God spirit” or spiritual nature in us; we are all the same and need to respond to the God nature in one another. It is this nature that is eternal, which we must develop and adhere to during our life-time.

The final prayer was offered by Mimi Dortch, director of the Arkansas Interfaith Conference. She offered a beautiful prayer for the unity of all people.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites