United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called on the religious leaders of all faiths to join forces to work for peace around the world and focus on the common battle to defeat the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
He came up with the call in a "special message" at a time on the spiritual calendar when Christians are celebrating Easter, Jews are marking Passover and Muslims will soon begin the holy month of Ramadan.
Extending his warmest wishes to all those observing these important moments, he said, “We have always known these occasions to be moments of community.”
"How do we celebrate at a time like this?", he wondered after saying: "This is a time like no other …. We are worried about our loved ones who are equally worried about us."
The UN chief urged all and sundry to take inspiration from the essence of the current holy occasions as moments for reflection, remembrance and renewal.
Guterres said, “As we reflect, let us spare a special thought for heroic health workers on the frontlines battling this awful virus – and for all those working to keep our cities and towns going.”
He also asked not to forget the most vulnerable of the vulnerable around the world – those in war zones and refugee camps and slums and all those places least equipped to fight the virus.
The UN chief voiced hope that the world can and will defeat this virus – with cooperation, solidarity, and faith in our common humanity.
Since the novel coronavirus was first reported in China in late December last year, it has so far infected 1,784,751 people, of whom 109,011 died and 405,118 recovered, around the world.