Interfaith Peace Walk promotes peace and unity as nation remembers 9/11 tragedy

As the nation reflects on the tragic loss of life on the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, United Campus Ministry (UCM) at Ohio University and several local churches and organizations hosted the ninth annual Interfaith Peace Walk in Athens, Ohio.

The walk was created to unite people of all faith traditions and philosophical and ethical orientations for the common good. It also aims to increase trust across religious divisions.

Before the 2019 walk began in front of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Rev. Evan Young, executive director and campus minister at UCM, reminded the crowd that they walk together with the support of many of the local faith communities and community organizations, as well as the offices, departments and programs at Ohio University.

“What we share is the devotion to the idea that the wellbeing of all of us is our responsibility and that the wellbeing of all of us depends on the wellbeing of each of us,” Rev. Young said. “That is why we come together and walk together.” 

OHIO President M. Duane Nellis told the audience that he is very happy to see people from all walks of life come together to honor the importance of this day. He said he wants everyone to recognize the importance of being part of a diverse and inclusive community where we welcome each other and reach out to one another.

“As we gather here tonight, we remember and honor the lives of those we lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on our country,” President Nellis said. “We are also here to honor all who have served to protect us since that time and we can never take for granted just how precious life is or take for granted those who sacrifice so much in order to protect our freedom.

“I am proud to celebrate our diversity with you here tonight on this day of remembrance and I encourage each of you to get to know someone new tonight, and to learn more about each other,” he continued. “I am also proud to walk with all of you tonight and to walk with you every day as we move together toward a more peaceful future.”

John Howell, retired director of the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute in Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, explained why he participated in the walk.

“Since I was a college student, I have believed that violence is not the way to go. I was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and now I’m part of the Quaker community and associated with United Campus Ministry,” Howell said.

Andrea Reik, retired director of Athens County Children Services, said she attends the walk every year and believes more than ever that we all should look for peace and try to support all races and genders and strive to be one society.

“I always hope we get more folks thinking globally and supporting each other” Reik said. “The 9/11 Interfaith Walk is a symbol of peace and unity and its easy for us to be busy in our everyday lives and forget about it, but this event puts it front and center.”

Mykal DeRamus, a senior psychology major from Cincinnati and an intern for United Campus Ministry, said she has always enjoyed interfaith events.

“I would like people to keep in mind that when we have events like this, it is just one of the ways to remember what happened on 9/11,” DeRamus said. “This walk is one of the ways of achieving unity and we can use the peace of mind that comes from it.”

After the walk ended in front of the Islamic Center of Athens on Stewart Street, Muslim students and Rev. Young provided some final words of encouragement and peace. The event ended with everyone participating in a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of 9/11.

For more information about other upcoming interfaith events, contact Rev. Evan Young at evan@ucmathens.org.