About 125 peace activists gathered over the noon hour today to pray for peace in Iraq.The ceremony lasted about an hour and was capped by the lighting of 14 candles to honor the Iowa soldiers who’ve died in Iraq. Another candle was lit as well. Organizers said that candle represented the more than eight-thousand Iraqis who’ve died since last year. The congregation read through works from faiths as varied as Islam, the Cherokee nation and Buddhism. Reverend Roy Nilsen of St. John’s Lutheran in Des Moines hosted the event. Nilsen says one should “live for a purpose higher than war.”Nilsen asked that the congregation’s tears bring honor to all who have given their lives in Iraq. Nilsen says folks from many different “spiritual traditions” gathered to honor the Americans and others who are part of the military coalition as well as the Iraqis. The group sang and closed by reciting a common prayer.The worshipers said they “do not believe that war and hunger are inevitable and peace is unattainable.”
