A Decade of Striving for Belief and Belonging: LA Honors 10th Annual Day of Religious Pluralism with Interfaith Gathering at City Hall
LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2025 — Marking a decade of dialogue and commitment to uplift the beautiful tapestry of faith traditions, Los Angeles today marked the 10th Annual Day of Religious Pluralism at City Hall, led by City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky (CD5) and the LA Civil Rights Department—highlighting the City’s commitment to advancing interfaith dialogue, collaboration, and core values of human dignity. The Los Angeles Day of Religious Pluralism has become an exemplary model of local city government and civil society coming together to affirm shared values of dignity and respect.
Recognized globally for its religious diversity, Los Angeles continues to lead by example, demonstrating the enduring strength and impact of its interfaith communities. Sponsored by the Ismaili Council of the Western USA, LA Council of Religious Leaders, and the Interreligious Council of Southern California, the event includes participation from faith leaders and spiritual communities across the City. The program features multi-faith prayers, choir performances, and an acknowledgment of the Day of Religious Pluralism.
“The Day of Religious Pluralism has become a meaningful tradition in Los Angeles. It reflects the quiet work of building trust, year after year, across lines of difference. In a moment when fear and division are taking hold in so many places, this gathering is a reminder that community is something we choose—and must keep choosing” said Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky of the Fifth District.
“Today's celebration reflects the soul of Los Angeles, diverse and united. When we gather to honor our faith traditions, we honor a shared path built on understanding, compassion, and community" said Los Angeles Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
Since its inception, the Day of Religious Pluralism continues to honor the contributions of religious communities while addressing critical issues—from hate violence and building resilience, to women in peacebuilding, humanitarian solidarity and social healing and belonging. Each year, the event lifts up a theme to reinforce the City's values of equity, inclusion, and mutual respect.
“The work of pluralism is never finished—it is a practice that demands listening with love,” said Capri Maddox, Executive Director of Los Angeles Civil Rights. “In celebrating a decade of this observance, we recommit to building a city where no one is marginalized because of how they worship, and everyone is valued for who they are.”
The Day of Religious Pluralism traces back to April 21, 2015, when the Los Angeles City Council formally passed a resolution to recognize the observance. This milestone followed years of multifaith dialogue, engagement, and community-building under the auspices of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission and local faith leaders. As early as 2006, multifaith convenings created brave and healing spaces for addressing difference, strengthening ties, and cultivating a shared vision of inclusion.
Joumana Silyan-Saba, Director of Civic Participation and Human Rights at the LA Civil Rights Department, has been instrumental in the establishment of the LA Day of Religious Pluralism from the beginning. She added, “Religious pluralism is a foundational value for a healthy democracy. Over the past ten years, we have committed to not just honoring differences but actively fostering collaboration, compassion, and civic responsibility across faiths.”
This year’s celebration features a special recognition of multifaith leaders, community members, and organizations who have worked side by side to sustain and strengthen pluralism in Los Angeles.
Reflections from religious leaders:
The Los Angeles Day of Religious Pluralism is a conscious embracing of our diversity: recognizing that we Angelenos align ourselves with different faith traditions, celebrating our individual uniqueness, learning from each other, and resonating with the many elements of our various shared traditions. It is a mature understanding of “unity in diversity”—that humanity is one, and that we can live together on this planet in peace and joy, appreciating one another in our differences and commonalities. It is an affirmation of where we want to be, an expression of a vision towards which society must evolve if we are to continue as a species on our home planet. - Swami Mahayogananda, Vedanta Society of Southern California & President of the Interreligious Council of Southern California
Respecting the other is the foundation of the Day of Religious Pluralism. Pope Francis made pluralism a key category of work for the Catholic Church. He called it the “culture of encounter” – “a culture of friendship, a culture in which we find brothers and sisters, in which we can also speak with those who think differently, as well as those who hold other beliefs, who do not have the same faith. They all have something in common with us: They are images of God, they are children of God.
- Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Day of Religious Pluralism stands as a powerful reminder that our diversity is not a challenge to overcome but a strength to be celebrated. Over the past decade, this gathering has deepened mutual understanding, fostered enduring friendships across faiths, and reaffirmed Los Angeles as a beacon of coexistence. The Ismaili Council for the USA is honored to be part of this vital effort to build bridges and nurture the common humanity that unites us all. - Ismaili Council for Western USA
For a decade, the City of Los Angeles has courageously observed a Day of Religious Pluralism, which uplifts every tradition and demonstrates that every voice belongs. As a Jewish person, I am guided by the words of Leviticus, which command us to not only to love our neighbor, but also to love the stranger like ourselves, as we were strangers in the land of Egypt. With this text, I know our strength lies in mutual respect of all people, and our memory of being outsiders further compels us to build a city where no one stands on the margins. This day is more than a celebration of diversity—it is a call to dignity, mutual respect, and the shared responsibility of shaping a more just and compassionate Los Angeles.
- Rabbi Sarah Rene Hronsky, Senior Rabbi, Temple Beth Hillel & President, Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders
We live in polarizing times in which secular values have failed to rise to the existential crisis posed by our politics. In the wealthiest nation on earth, majorities of voters seem open to policies rooted in the values of a punishing frugality at best and sheer cruelty at worst. Notwithstanding our ecumenical and interfaith differences, people and communities of faith are our last reliable repository of witness about inalienable human rights and human dignity. If politicians won’t stand up for love and justice, then we must stand even taller. If we do, we may give hope and encouragement to those in power who do want to put us back on the path to righteousness.
- The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, VII Bishop of Los Angeles, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Sikhs conclude their prayers by invoking the God Almighty for the ‘Well‑Being of All.’ As we celebrate the 10‑year milestone of the Day of Religious Pluralism, let us embody that prayer by coming together across traditions to honor the divine spark in every heart and strengthen the bonds that unite us all.
- Duncan S. Sachdeva, Hollywood Sikh Temple
Los Angeles is the most religiously diverse experiment in human history and the Day of Religious Pluralism marks not only the fact of that diversity but also celebrates the flourishing of these communities, the relationships they build, and the partnerships they foster in our thriving city.
- Brie Loskota, Visiting Scholar, Center for the Study of Religion and Society, University of Notre Dame & Former Executive Director, USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
Pluralism is a practice. In a city with so much diversity, while we may run into each other, working together across our differences, especially when we disagree, requires discipline. All in our city deserve to belong and be in community. The religious Day of Pluralism is a reminder to rekindle our commitment to liberty and justice for all.
- Aziza Hasan, Executive Director, NewGround
In this time of such great uncertainty, we all must ground ourselves in our faith that reminds us of the powers within us. We are not helpless or powerless. Faith reminds us, what we need is DEEP INSIDE!
- Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard, Word of Encouragement Community Church
I am delighted that Los Angeles continues to lead in religious pluralism as a central tenet for a thriving local community. As a scholar who studies pluralism and democracy, I am grateful for this continued historic work that makes our city kinder, prosperous,s and more welcoming to all.
- Najeeba Syeed, El-Hibri Endowed Professor of Interfaith Studies
As Mother Teresa said, ‘If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.’ The Day of Religious Pluralism reminds us of this sacred belonging across faiths, cultures, and traditions. It’s a call to see one another not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters in the human family.
- Fr. Etienne Hanna, Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon St. Peter Cathedral
Los Angeles is the most religiously diverse city in the world, and a laboratory for thinking about how our faith traditions can collectively be part of the solution to the world's great crises. The Day of Pluralism is an important opportunity to convene, converse, and celebrate, so that we ensure that our multifaith metropolis remains a global beacon for pluralism, engagement, and reconciliation.
- Varun Soni, Ph.D. Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, University of Southern California
The practice of Religious pluralism is important in many different ways and has tremendous value in bringing prolonged peace and prosperity to our city and to the world. Having the City of Los Angeles recognize and support this concept and practice raises the visibility of, and promotes the realization that, religious pluralism benefits all people, religiously aligned or not.
- Nirinjan Khalsa, Sikh Community & Former Commissioner of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission
As a student of M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi® School of Islamic Sufism®, the Day of Religious Pluralism reflects the understanding that all true religions are rooted in one Reality and the one and only God of the Human family. As stated by M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi®'s 42nd eminent teacher, Professor Nader Angha, the foundation of all religions is based on the same principle, the principle of unity. In a city like Los Angeles, this day offers an opportunity to recognize that the many paths people follow are all seeking the same truth, drawing us closer not only to one another but to a deeper shared connection with the Divine.
- Payam Ayazi
There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. (“Gleanings From the Writigs of Bahá’u’lláh,” pages 217–18)
- Randolph Dobbs, Los Angeles Bahá’í Center
We believe that for societies to be healthy, there must be an appreciation and respect for the religious beliefs of others who are as sincere in their beliefs and practices as we are in ours.
- Elder Scott Tanner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints