Lahore, Pakistan
My dear brothers and sisters,
I would share this news with you with great joy that the URI family in Pakistan took a leading role in celebrating the International Day of Peace on the 21st of September. Practically all Cooperation Circles (CCs) took an active part in observing this day throughout the country and Azad Kashmir.
These programs were arranged in the cities of Jatoi, Multan, Pir Mahal, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Karachi, Islamabad, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore and Muzaffarbad in Kashmir. Programs were arranged with children, youth, women and men from Muslim, Christan, Hindu, Sikh, Baha and Parsi faith – that is to say, people of all religions. School children sang peace songs and recited poems; tableaus on peace were performed. Recitation from the Holy Books of various religions were done, and the message of Mr. Ban Ki-moon was read in English and Urdu. The reports are coming from all over the country and later on I will be sending you a brief report and photos of all of these.
Here in Lahore, the URI Pakistan-MCC conducted a major program in which 7 CCs plus three other potential CCs participated. The celebration started on the 18th when a program was organized at Darul Hikmat (House of Wisdom) college in which hundreds of students took part.
I (fr James Channan) gave 3 interviews on Radio Pakistan. The first one was on the 20th of September from 11AM to 12 Noon. It was a one hour interview in Punjabi in which the challenges to peace and the role and history of URI in promoting peace and interfaith harmony was highlighted as well as the history of interfaith dialogue, particularly between Christian and Muslims. During the interview, peace songs and light music were broadcast. The message of UN Secretary General Ban was read in Punjabi.
My second interview was in Urdu and also included the message from Mr. Ban. Recorded on 21st of September at 11.30AM, it was broadcast every hour through the day.
My third interview was at 4:30PM at FM RADIO 103. It was a live interview in Punjabi. During that half hour I addressed threats to peace, our role in promoting lasting peace, and the imperative need for dialogue among religions and cultures.
The URI MCC held a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on September 20th to give coverage to our event. Seven TV channels were present (Geo TV, Dawn New TV, AAj TV, Punjab TV, Sindh TV, Dhoom TV, and Royal TV) as well as another 20 journalists from various newspapers and news agencies. I addressed this Press Conference along with Dr. Kanwal Feroze, Mr. ftab Javed, Miss Arifa Shakeel and Mr. Zubair. We responded to the questions which were posed to us.
On 21st of September in the early morning, prayers were offered for world peace. We also observed one minute silence in different places and cities.
The main peace event took place in the evening at Dominican Center. A joint program was organized by the URI-MCC Pakistan and Catholic Bishop Commission on Inter-Religious Dialogue and Ecumenism (NCIDE). Over 200 Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Baha'i and Christians participated in this peace event.
This conference was presided over by Mrs. Sajida Hyder Wandal; Mr. Sohail Umar, Mr. Hamid Khan and Mrs. Neelam Hussain were the Guests of Honor.
Since it was the month of fasting for our Muslim brothers and sisters we started our program with breaking of the fast 6:05PM.
Here is what followed:
1. One minute of silence was observed for world peace.
2. Small children sang a peace song with oil lamps in their land.
3. The peace candle was lit.
4. Welcome address and history of URI was presented by fr James Channan OP.
5. Mr. Javaid William, Executive Secretary of the NCIDE, presented a 10 minute documentary of their interfaith activities.
6. Recitation from the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Bahai and Christian scriptures was done by the representatives of these religions.
7. The message of Mr. Ban Ki-moon was read in English and Urdu.
8. The message of Most Rev. Andrew, Bishop of Multan and Chairman of NCIDE, was read.
9. The Dominican students presented a peace song.
10. The children from Basharat-e-Ibn Mariam School presented a tableau on a famous peace song.
11. Flowers were presented to the guests.
12. The guests of honor and president of the conference gave speeches. The gist of these speeches was that believers of all religions should promote peace and harmony among religions; we should invite those people who have never participated in such programs and thus create awareness among them for peace. We should also approach hardliners and try to soften their hearts. It was also strongly proposed to the TV Channels that they give five minutes to each religion in their morning transmission for recitation from the holy books or message.
Mr. Aftab Javaid did the comparing to a large number of URI members along with their families who were present from Lahore and surrounding areas.
At the end of the program all guests were invited to have delicious supper.
I feel proud to relate that our programs of the URI were the main ones which took place in Pakistan. This way we took a leading role in celebrating this International Day of Peace.
May Peace Prevail in Pakistan!
May Peace Prevail On Earth!
In peace,
fr James Channan OP
Regional Coordinator Asia/Pakistan
Sargodha, Pakistan
We celebrated the International Day of Peace(IDP) in the afternoon on September 21st. We had hoped to have 80 to 100 people for the seminar followed by an AFTAR party to be in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters sharing the spirit of RAMADAN. Due to bad weather, however, only 62 people came. There were Sikh, Baha’I, Christian and Mulim women and men present at this gathering. We welcomed and invited all to join our Muslim brothers and sisters in Aftari. Then we moved to the hall for a Seminar on Peace Day. The following topics were shared with the participants: Introduction of Peace Day, URI, Inter- Faith Dialogue Week, The Need of Peacebuilding and shared an Urdu translation of the UN General Secretary’s message on Peace Day.
The preamble, purpose and principles of the URI were read for the participants. We also had an open session for clarifications and discussion on the need to work for peace and joining the world in prayers for peace.
We ended our seminar with a peace prayer. The youth sang songs with the message of peace. After that, all were invited for a dinner. It was a great experience of being one people of the one world. Happy Peace Day to all and May peace prevail on earth.
Sr. Naseem George, Co-coordinator,
Seeds of Peace CC,
Sargodha – Pakistan
Lahore, Pakistan
On September 20th, the International Day of Peace Vigil started in Pakistan. The Peace and Development Foundation (PDF) conducted a get together. The program started with prayer and focused specifically on the countries and nations most affected by war and religious conflicts.
Adult groups, youth and children presented songs that expressed the day's spirit. Mr.Younis and I shared words regarding the importance of the day as well as the importance of devotion to promote harmony among nations.
Youth of PDF Arts Society displayed their art work and every one appreciated their beautiful paintings expressing peace, love, and care.
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Akhter Murad
Coordinator, Peace & Development Foundation (PDF)
Lahore, Pakistan
In Lahore, Pakistan, the Tehreek Taraque E Insaniat CC held a celebration, forum, and candlelight vigil for the International Day of Peace. Women and men of all ages attended, as well as children. They made a large banner dedicated to Peace and had speakers address the room full of people of all ages. Children sang and everyone held hands in prayer. Near the end of the ceremony, everyone participated in a candle light vigil to show their commitment and dedication to promoting a more just and peaceful world for people of all ages and creeds.
Pictures submitted by Yuel Bhatti
"Let's pledge to make every day a day of Peace."
“Let's all forget our past quarrels, hatred and conflicts and look forwards to the dawning of a new day of love and peace,” said Rev Fr Mukhtar Alam.
“All of us, the followers of different faiths, believers of various gods, should co-exist peacefully in a single society,” stated advocate Mustansar Bajwa as he defined Peace according to Pakistani legislation.
“Islam is the religion of love, unity, understanding and honesty, Islam doesn't enforce any thing,” explained engineer Malik Nazir about the teachings of Islam on account of peace and tolerance.
These three honourable guests were talking to the participants of a study circle conducted by Rays of Development (ROD) Cooperative Circle (CC) under the aegis of United Religions Initiative (URI.) They conducted the study circle to commemorate the occasion of the International Day of Peace.
Participants of the study circle were people of all ages and from all walks of life – the grassroots level of the society. The study circle commenced with recitation from the Holy Quran & Holy Bible. Students of St Paul's High School presented garlands of roses to each of the Honourable Guests as a token of love and respect. Hosting the Study Circle, Mr. Zimran Elias (ROD) shared and discussed the aims and objectives of URI with the audience.
Azeem (ROD) and Shahzeb (ROD) earned admiration and a round of applause by singing a song of Peace. Mr. Jawad Mazhar (ROD) read and translated the message of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon.
During the discussion and suggestion session, Mr. Nazir Wilson and Mr. Yousaf Siraj shared their experiences with other participants. Both the eminent elders from the society appreciate these types of activities, and they underscored the need of such programs. They said that study circles of this kind would pave the path to prosperity, interfaith peace, tolerance and harmony.
The chairman of ROD, Mr. Ferhan Mazher, thanked all the participants and honourable guests. He said that it is the prime objective of ROD to create a society free of all sorts of discrimination, violence, unrest and intolerance. He added that to achieve this goal we must neglect each other’s short comings, faults and slip-ups and must also take care of and respect each other’s rights.
Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)
"Every day should be a peace day.
We should leave parochialism far behind and embrace each other with love."
On the International day of Peace, Rays of Development (ROD) Organization in Sargodha Pakistan and United Religions Initiative (URI) carried out a survey about 'The peace in the world' at the Federal Government Post Graduate College for Women (FGPGW), Wah Cantt, Pakistan regarding the International Day of Peace on Sept 21st, 2007. Promotion of peace and eradication of all sorts of discrimination are the prime objectives of the ROD. Participants in this survey were students and educationists from different departments.
Lecturer in English at FG Post Graduate College for Women, Wah Cantt, and ROD human rights activist, Ms Khadijah Shah, conducted interviews and posed many questions to the participants concerning Peace and the significance of International Day of Peace on Sept 21st, 2007 as announced by the United Nations.
Professor Marjorie (Head of the English department), Ms. Saira Ali (Student), Professor Wajiha Mateen (Head of the Home Economics Department), Ms. Yasmeen Itrat (Head of the Psychology Department), Ms. Iram Shah (Lecturer in Psychology), Ms. Fehmida Salah-ud-din (Professor in English Literature), Ms. Yasmeen Azeem (Lecturer in Economics), Ms. Ayesha Zafar (President, Urdu Debating Society,) and Ms. Faryal Mansoor (MA English Gold Medallist) were interviewed by the ROD activist Ms. Khadijah Shah.
Almost all the participants agreed upon the notion that the root cause of the genesis of conflict, intolerance, terrorism, unrest and violence in the world is socio-economic injustice. Some participants were of the idea that, in some cases, religious fundamental clerics also back the violence in the society. They said that blood is being shed, and people are being abducted and harassed in the name of religion and God. Some participants blasted the US for its dualistic policies. They attributed the present global instability to the US. They also added that US foreign policy has actually robbed the World of its peacefulness.
When asked by Ms. Shah, “How can we bring peace in Pakistan?” the participants came up with different ideas. Some said that each one of us should learn to respect the beliefs of other faiths. Others were of the opinion that every individual must enjoy the freedom of worship in line with his customs, rites and ideology. Interviewees added that we should not let down others by leg pulling and conspiracies. Instead we are supposed to help and co-operate with each other so that peace and prosperity might return to the motherland.
Replying to a question, participants regretted that each one of us is responsible for the present unrest, terrorism and war in the World. They pressed on the necessity of love, peace and tolerance. They also added that we should learn to co-exist peacefully in Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistanis should forge unity in their ranks.
Ms. Khadijah Shah added that modern man is very materialist and selfish. She went on saying that teachers should teach their students the ways to bring peace in the world. A good teacher should treat and teach his/her students without any sort of discrimination.
In a joint statement, Ms. Khadijah Shah and ROD Chief Mr. Ferhan Mazher said that every day should be observed as peace day by each and every human being on the face of the earth.
The chief of ROD asserted that we should leave parochialism far behind and embrace each other with love, peace, tolerance, freedom and harmony with open hearts and open minds on this day. The ROD Chairman appealed to the top world leadership for a cease-fire on this auspicious occasion and also asked them to think about what we have lost in the War.
Survey and Reported by ROD team comprising:
Warispura, Pakistan
Members of the Women and Kids Education Cooperation Circle (WAKE CC) celebrated the International Day of Peace in Warispura
Faisalabad. School Children and staff prayed for peace in the whole world and also prayed for the activities of URI on the International Day of Peace.
Pictures by Sabina Rifat, coordinator of the WAKE CC
Lahore, Pakistan
On 21, September 2007 the “Basharat-E- Ibn-E- Mariam women and children development organization” arranged to celebrate the International Day of Peace at the Basharat-E- Ibn-E- Mariam School Youhanabad, Lahore.
The program was started with a peace walk. Children from different schools had flags from different countries in their hands. They were also carrying different slogans about peace: “We want peace,” “Stop the war,” “No more war,” “Say no to weapons,” “Peace is possible,” “My home is a place for peace,” “My schools may place for peace,” “We need books not bombs,” and “May peace prevail on earth.”
After the walk, Mr. Francis Xavier offered a special prayer for global peace and asked for one minute of silence for Peace. Thepeace candle was lit by the youngest student-master, Jerry John.
Mr. Diamond Joseph, Head Master of Govt. School Sargodha and the Chief Guest for the ceremony, said that young students are our future;
they can practice acts of love and peace from their schools and homes. We should respect each other’s religions.
He also offered words of appreciation for the teachers and management for arranging such a colorful Peace Day for the young students. Then, children sang songs for peace and unity as well as read speeches and poems. The program was ended with the prayer of Miss. Margaret Rose.
Francis Xavier
President
Basaharat-E-Ibn-E-Mariam
Women and Children Development Org.
