Durban is unique in South Africa, perhaps in the world, in being a city where members of four of the world’s oldest religions grew up side by side as the city developed over the last 150 years. Visitors to the Warwick Junction area immediately notice how the spire of the Catholic Cathedral and the minaret of the mosque are side by side, not in opposition but in harmony. They might not notice that the West Street cemetery next door has the graves of Christians from a range of different denominations, sections for Muslims, Jews and Parsees and even some Hindu graves (though their bodies are usually cremated). So in Durban, people of different faiths are side by side in life and in death.
The Denis Hurley Centre epitomises this religious co-operation since it is a place where people of all faiths come together to serve the poor. It is named after the man who as Archbishop of Durban for 45 years brought together all the faith communities of Durban to fight against Apartheid.
The projection which will be seen by all driving into the city focuses on the commitment to peace shared by the Hindu, Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions, by showing the word written in the alphabet of the 4 Scriptures. Peace – Shalom – Salaam – Shanti.