Organizers hope Peace Walk will bring people together

Deirdre Newman

COSTA MESA -- An annual peace walk in Costa Mesa today will take on

added significance in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Sept..

11.

The Orange County Peace Walk/Peace Jam 2001 kicks off this morning at

11:30 at the Triangle Square Shopping Center.

While the interfaith event is a traditional celebration of the United

Nations’ International Day of Peace, local leaders say it will help

facilitate the healing process the nation is experiencing.

“Any time the religious leaders and the faith communities can get

together in a collective effort I find it a blessing from God,” said

Haitham A. Bundakji, spokesman for the Islamic Society of Orange County.

“It’s an effort that would definitely bear fruit -- if not immediately,

then in the near future.”The terrorist hijacking of four passenger-filled

planes that were crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center,

the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, have cast suspicion on Islamic

extremist Osama bin Laden as the mastermind, and created a subsequent

backlash against American Muslims.

While many religious services and rallies have been held in the wake

of the attacks, the Peace Walk hopes to attract people of all religions,

nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.

Opening festivities will feature Costa Mesa Mayor Libby Cowan, Mayor

Pro Tem Linda Dixon and Native American Geeta Sacred Song, an

international Peace Shaman.

Dixon said she is looking forward to participating in the walk for the

first time.

“It’s an opportunity to come together on behalf of peace within the

nation and within the community and I think this year, it will have extra

special meaning to the community,” Dixon said.