The Full Story
About
Alliance for Humanitarian Initiatives Nonviolence and Spiritual Advancement or AHINSA is an Interfaith, Inter-cultural forum for Peace, Nonviolence, and Spirituality founded by sOm Sharma in 2000
AHINSA is a non-profit corporation and shall be operated exclusively for educational, cultural and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Mission
AHINSA's mission is to create and nurture a culture of peace and nonviolence and to promote nonviolence as a way of life, and as a chosen method for resolving conflicts. Through education, training, and service activities based on the examples set forth and principles held by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, MLK Jr. and others, AHINSA’s mission is to promote peace, equality, and justice; mutual appreciation and cooperation, understanding, and respect between various different cultural, ethnic, and religious groups. The organization will serve youth and adults of all faiths and backgrounds in Western Pennsylvania.
Goals and Activities
​
-
To preserve and propagate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, MLK Jr. and other leaders of peace and nonviolence movement and undertake humanitarian causes.
-
To disseminate, especially among youth, knowledge about ideas, strategies and action by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and other peace builders.
-
To conduct interfaith prayer meetings, especially those like Gandhi’s prayer assemblies.
-
To promote and nurture truth, justice and fairness and ethical living.
-
To organize and support events to promote self-reliance, equality, and a spirit of service.
-
To promote dialog among thought leaders and activists for initiating and supporting programs and unified action to fight racial, social, and economic discrimination, and promote mutual appreciation, understanding, and spiritual harmony.
-
To sponsor, especially among youth, essay contests, movies, and art about Gandhi, Peace, nonviolence, social justice, and spirituality.
-
To support peace education and activism and celebrate UN programs like International Day of Peace (Sept. 21), and International Day of Nonviolence (Oct 2nd - Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday).
-
To work with peace programs, especially those offered by Rotary International, the United Nations, and educational institutions
-
To hold an Annual Celebration - Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday (Oct. 2nd) -‘International Day of Nonviolence’, on a day in the month of October as close as possible to Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday each year bringing together interfaith groups and other community service organizations. Invite speakers with deep knowledge of Gandhi’s ideals, activism, and community activism.