Today, we shall sit together

And say a prayer.

Prayers have power and group prayers

Take one to those heights

Where angels are not afraid to tread.

Let us pray for the vulnerable first,

That ritualistic child abuse will disappear,

Child labour will be inexistent

And all children will have equal opportunities

For food, shelter, clothing, love and education.

Let the muslin saree flutter

Freely in the air,

Let the dress get the respect they deserve

And the salwar kameez worn with pride

By girls and women without whom

No one can exist.

Like vapour, let sex trafficking evaporate,

Like snow, may rape melt

And may no woman be battered.

May men get respect without discrimination,

Whether they are Ministers or food growers,

Single or married, gay or differently abled.

With enlightening radiance, may they build

A world where nature is treated as a goddess

And animals protected so that they

Walk by us, fearless

And head held high.

pramila khadun