Residents of Queens practice numerous religions, and the first Interfaith Harmony and World Peace Fair & Festival is set for June 25 and 26. The event, which organizers plan to hold annually, is free and will be held at PS 145 in Jackson Heights, at 33-34 79th St, near Northern Boulevard.

"We have to integrate and build bridges in order to progress as a community," said Mohammad Rashid, one of the organizers of the festival, which aims to unite people of all races and ethnicities, whether they are Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, or Buddhist.

"I am proud to participate in the festival and I will bring laughter and harmony to those who come," said Alex Eingorn, a chiropractor, who is Jewish. Queens County Supreme Court Justice Thomas Raffaele, who led the press conference announcing the event, said that many of the attendees have known each other for a long time and now "the moment to come together as a community has arrived."

"This neighborhood needs these types of events in order to know what religions our neighbors practice, and to live in harmony," said Shiv Dass, president of the Association of Hindu Business Owners. He runs a Hindu clothing store on 74th Street.

Imam Muhammad Abdul Qayyum said that this country offers many opportunities to "grow and work together in cooperation."

Patricia Mahecha, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Queens, praised the festival and said it will contribute to "the economic prosperity of this neighborhood and the wellbeing of everyone."

During the two days of the festival, free classes will be offered in yoga, meditation, martial arts, music, and folk dancing from diverse parts of the world like Mexico and Pakistan. There will also be sports events like soccer and cricket games, and health education workshops in nutrition, exercise, and preventing cancer.

There will be food from various countries and children will have a chance to have fun. There will also be exhibitions of arts and crafts.

The yoga classes will be led by Shree Vinayak Kaurwar. Kaurwar, who attended the V.M Gandhi event and is ex-president of Community Board 3 in Jackson Heights, said that Jackson Heights represents a true blend of international communities where many languages are spoken. "Integration is key to showing the world who we are and what we can do as a community that lives in peace."

"We have worked together, but we are not integrated," said business owner Eduardo Giraldo at the press conference. "We need to integrate in order to get out of this economic crisis and build a better future for everyone."

"We must work as a team and we have to bring the leaders of every community together," concluded Mohamad Pier, president of the Bangladeshi Business Association.

For more information on the multi-religious festival, call (718) 316-1948, (718) 864-4803, or (646) 912-1885, or visit the website, www.interfaithharmonyworldpeace.com.