Dialogue of civilizations, tolerance

It is a great pleasure and a great honour to be here to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the giants of the 20th century, a global icon of peace and an advocate for the most vulnerable. I thank Prime Minister Modi and the Indian mission for convening this meeting.
 
Gandhiji’s vision and philosophy are pillars of the work of the United Nations. 
 

Mr. President,
 
Welcome to the United Nations. It’s wonderful to see you back with us.  I also welcome the distinguished members of your Administration. 
 
I want to begin by saluting you, Mr. President, for putting a focus on religious freedom – a pressing global issue and one that is also very close to my heart. 
 

[off mic] …with a very distinguished group of young people on the International Day of Peace. 
 
We usually look at peace from the point of view of the conflicts between human beings.  Peace is not only the absence of war; it is the creation of the conditions of harmony in the way people live with each other to allow for conflicts not to exist.  But today, we have a special Peace Day, because it is not only about peace among people, it is also about peace between people and nature.  Peace between people and the planet. 
 

It is not by chance that this event started with music.  Music is a universal language, and music is the best tool we have to promote peace. 
 
I am deeply grateful for the fantastic work that our two Messengers for Peace do, because what they represent is extremely important for us. 
 
Of course we are use to seeing them receiving standing ovations in fantastic performances in great music rooms around the world. 
 

Good morning. 
 
Today we are launching an important new effort to tackle hate and violence around the globe. 
 
It is called the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites.
 
We are doing so for a reason that is both deeply unfortunate and absolutely necessary. 
 
Our world is plagued with a surge in anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred, attacks against Christians, and other religious groups.  
 

Thank you for joining us as we launch an important new effort to counter hate and violence around the globe.
 
As we are all so tragically aware, our world is facing a surge in anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred, attacks against Christians, and intolerance targeting other religious groups.
 
In recent months alone, Jews have been murdered in synagogues, Muslims gunned down in mosques, Christians killed at prayer.
 
I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. 
 

I thank all involved for bringing us together to tackle the tsunami of hatred that is so visible and violent across the world today.
 
A special welcome to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein from the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego.  Rabbi, thank you for your inspiring actions since the shooting in April that took the life of one of your congregants and injured you as well.
 
Recently I viewed an exhibition at the Museum of Jewish Heritage here in New York that is called “Auschwitz.  Not long ago.  Not far away”.
 
It is an apt title.