It is my great joy and I would like to share the report of International Day of Peace 2010 celebrations on 21st September, 2010 at URI Regional office. The event was organized by United Religions Initiative Pakistan in Collaboration with Minhaj Ul-Quran International, Lahore Pakistan. A number of all faith dignities, women, Youth, children and Coordinators Lahore based participated.
Fr. Abid Habib OFM, CAP, President of the Major Superiors Leadership Conference of Pakistan presides over the IDP celebration.
Guests of Honor was Mr. Raja Jamil Ajmal, Director, Foreign affairs Minhaj Ul-Quran International,
Guest Speakers were Dr. Kanwal Feroze prominent poet and Journalist Mr. Suhail Ahmed Raza, Director Interfaith Relations- Minhaj-Ul-Quran Mr.Victor Daniel, Editor Catholic Naqueeb (Christians) Yousaf Bejnori (Bahai Community) Pandat Lall Khokar (Hindu), Taraget Sigh (Sikh)
Women Speaker: Sr. Sabina Riffat, Mr.Elishba Yuel Ms. Lubna Nazar
Youth Leaders: Miss Sadia, Fr. James Samuel Mr. Shahbaz Khan, Ms. Nazia Habib, Miss Hamid (singer) & Miss Shumila Bhatti
Mr. Yuel Bhatti, Executive Secretary URI Pakistan and Sr.Sabina Riftat, Coordinator, URI Pakistan Women Wing were the masters of ceremony.
Interfaith prayers were offered.
Mr. Yuel Bhatti welcome all the guests and Participants and reflects the History of International Day of Peace and brief the URI Pakistan working and said. As Fr. James Channan OP, Regional Coordinator for Asia/Pakistan at this moment at Rome for very important meetings and he sent his greetings best wishes and Blessings for celebration of International Day of Peace and Maulana Abdul Khbair Azad (Global Trustee) is at Nashawera for distribution of flood relief package.
Fr. James Samuel Read out the messages from Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President PCID, the Vatican and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, Secretary PCID, the Vatican to Muslim brothers and Sister on the eve of Eid-ul-fitre.
Mr.Sahabaz Khan Read out the Message of the Secretary General Ban-ki-Moon on International Day of Peace.
Sr. Sabina Rifat, Coordinator Women wing, URI Pakistan read out the special messages of Ms. Monica Willard, URI-UN Representative and Ms. Fumi, Executive Director World Peace Prayers Society celebration of International Day of Peace in so hard time.
A Better Community for All-CC’s School Children present beautiful tabule on peace and Unity the audience admired very much. Ms.Ameena Hamid, prominent singer sing, Muslim and Christian faith peace songs were admired by the participants.
All women and Children lighten the candles and gents hold the country flags while Fr. Abid Habib prayed for world peace by recalling the Saint Essesi Prayer’O God let me be the source of peace.
The Guest speakers said that today the URI Pakistan is celebrating the International Day of Peace is very unique as due to the present situation of country it is very essential and time of need for such activities. Every religions teaches about the reconciliation, tolerance, acceptance and spreading the message of love and peace. If any conflict can be resolve with dialogue. The dialogue is only source of reconciliation of any dispute and conflict. In all religions some elements are disturbing the peace as in previous day so called Pastor Terry John disturbed the situation and relation between Muslims and Christians we all Christian condemned such kind of mischief role in the name of religion.
Female speaker said that education is best way to promote peace and harmony among religions and disable children must be part of society. All parents must urge their children to have education. Women role in the society is back bone for sustainable peace and harmony in the world. In Pakistan their certain cultural barriers not to come forwarded for promotion of peace besides they have potential to do so hence they can start from their children to educate them with values of respect, love, tolerance and acceptance then their children create peace when they grownup.
Youth speakers said if we all youth may involve in such kind of peace program with commitment the day will come we will create a peaceful environment in the society. The role of youth is very important in all respect.
Raja Jamil Ajmal, Guest of Honor said that It is great privileged to me that I am addressing on specially occasion and thankful to the United Religions Initiative Pakistan who organized this wonderful and memorable world peace day event. To inviting all faith on one platform is historical. I extend my congratulations to the organizers. All speakers especially Children’s presentation is great and their vision for peaceful society is dream.
He quoted a historic example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as He invites the Christian delegate in Masjid-e-Nabvi and said that you may worship of your faith in this Mosque. With this tradition we the community of Minhaj-Ul-Quran celebrate the Christmas in our Mosque and love to celebrate our Eid in Churches. Our Chief Dr.Tahirul Quadri has given a Fathwa about the suicide attacks are not Islamic at all and condemned at large.
Fr. Abid Habid OFM Cap said that I congratulate the URI Pakistan who has organized a very Important Celebration of International Day of Peace. It is great honor for me that I preside over this great event. URI is promoting Inter-religious harmony among the religions is unique and time in deed. I am feeling that all participants are enjoying this celebration of Peace. We have to be injustice that to change our self to develop peace and love in our inner heart and our presentation with others be in respect and love with sacrifice. He gave example that the buddish never believe on war and the peaceful persons can bring the peace. All speaker spoke well,children’s presentation is main theme of celebration.
At the end Mr. Suhail Raza Ahmed thanks Fr.James Channan OP, Mr. YuelBhatti and Sr.Sabina Rifat for organizing this wonderful celebration of International Day of Peace and said that in future Minhaj-ul-Quran will be the part of such celebration. All participants joined in festival dinner.
Reported by:
Yuel Bhatti, Executive Secretary, URI Pakistan.
