LEVERETT — A Walk for Peace in Gaza, bringing participants from Leverett Town Hall to the New England Peace Pagoda, takes place Saturday, an event that organizers view as a way to stand with those experiencing loss and grief.

Sponsored by the Village of Light Ashram in Leverett, all are welcome to participate in all or part of the 3½-mile walk that begins at 9 a.m. and which will be a testimony to seek an end to violence in Gaza and the killing of innocent people. The walk also aims to stand with those who are suffering due to the conflict.

Prayers for peace and the end of violence everywhere will be offered both on the walk and once at the Peace Pagoda, around 1 p.m.

GurujiMa, the spiritual teacher at the Village of Light Ashram, said the idea of the walk is provide a response to enormous suffering and violence.

“It came about because of heartbreak, because of people like myself are feeling such distress about the suffering going on in Gaza,” GurujiMa said.

She adds that the event will recognize more than a million displaced Gazans whose homes have been destroyed and families decimated, while also honoring the suffering of Israelis who have lost loved ones and who seek the return of family members still held in captivity.

“We walk in trust in the Divine which allows us to know that peace is possible, even in the presence of a long history of hostility between Israel and Palestine, and in the firm belief that dignity and respect must be accorded to all people,” GurujiMa said.

Brothers and sisters of the Peace Pagoda will be walking alongside the other participants.

For more information go to Walk for Peace in Gaza lightomega.org/event/gaza-peace-walk/, where people can sign up if they intend to participate.

Anyone with questions can reach out to Karun Das at karun.das108@gmail.com or 413-270-4274.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.