Global mischief

United Nations: Proposals gaining steam at the UN concern freedom and life advocates | Alisa Harris

Associated Press/Photo by Craig Ruttle

While a Sept. 25 interfaith gathering honored Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inside New York's Grand Hyatt Hotel, another interfaith gathering protested his presence outside. Carrying signs that said "Stop the Hate" and chanting "The Hyatt harbors terrorists," Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, homosexuals, and others gathered to protest "an international dialogue" promoting "mutual understanding."

The dialogue took place just over a week after the United Nations General Assembly opened, and the day after people protested Ahmadinejad's speech to the General Assembly. It was a controversial start to an assembly where members tossed blame for global crises and scrutinized their own progress on ambitious development goals. The next three months will bring other debates of interest to Christians.