PAKISTAN
(2003
World Peace Prayer Society Report)
IDP
Observation Report from Azad (Pakistani) Kashmir
Dr. Zahida Malick at Tolli Peer |
On
Saturday, September 20, a convoy of thirty-four vehicles, organized
by URI CC Islamabad, began driving across Pakistan towards Tolli Peer,
the highest peak in Kashmir, to promote interfaith harmony in Pakistan
and Kashmir. They were greatly supported in this venture by the government
of Azad Kashmir who provided road clearing equipment and support teams
to allow them to reach the heights of Tolli Peer, a peak of deep spiritual
importance for the region.
A crowd of over two thousand awaited their arrival on Sunday, September
21, and they enjoyed a moving three-hour program of speeches, prayers
and songs together. The ceremony concluded with the raising of Pakistani,
Kashmiri, URI, and peace flags and the planting of eleven Peace Poles
by different peace building groups.
We
launched a country-wide peace awareness drive, namely Carnen-e-Aman.
This caravan started from URI CC Islamabad Pakistan Office on 20 September
2003 for Tolli Peer, District Rawlkot, Azad Kashmir. The caravan stayed
the night at Rawalkot and the next day 34 vehicles traveled toward
Tolli Peer. Tolli Peer is one of the highest peaks of Azad Kashmir.
The ex-president of Azad Kashmir, Hayat Khan, and Health Minister
of Azad Kashmir participated in this event.
The International Day of Peace was observed by the all-religious Talawat
(verses from His Holy Books) and one minute of silence after this.
The UN, Pakistani, Azad Kashmir, and URI Flags were hoisted at Tolli
Peer.
11 Peace Poles were planted at the Tolli Peer heights and all participants
sang peace songs, and all religions prayers were observed.
One Peace Pole is planted at Ghorimar in remembrance of the murder
of some persons in sectarian violence. Five Peace Poles were planted
at Dothan Sharif, and one Peace Pole was planted at Dewan Sharif Azad
Kashmir, remembering war killing).
After completing the activities at Azad Kashmir, the caravan went
back to Rawalpindi and the participants planted a Peace Pole at Tarria
and Gogra Villages with combined prayers.
Our activities are not completed because after the assassination of
Mulana Azam Tariq (MNA and leader of extremist Muslim group, namely
Lashker-Jhanvi and Sap-e-sahaba), we closed our activities for a short
time.
(Touqeer Abbas for)
Dr. Zahida Malik, Coordinator of URI CC
Islamabad and Secretary General of 56 ICAET URI CC ISLAMABAD
FAISALABAD,
PAKISTAN
Yesterday
we celebrated the UN International Day Of Peace 21 September 2003.
Peace Rally
1
- We started the programme with prayer at 11:30am from the Salvation
Army Church with 300 hundred people, including Females & Children.
2 - We started a big PEACE RALLY at 11:45am.
3 - We reached a big street at 11:58am and there at 12:00pm we were all silent
for one minute.
4 - We had few speeches about peace and at the end of the rally I
told to people the World Peace Prayer Society efforts for the World.
Also we informed the peoples about Evening Peace Candlelight Rally
and also a Church Pray for Peace with food.
5 - We finished the rally at 1:00pm.
Evening
Candlelight Rally for Peace
1 - The rally started with candles and with a Peace Pole and also
with a cloth banner at 7:00pm from Khadman-e-Salleb
Office.
2 - There were in the rally lot of Muslims, Church Leaders, Organization
Leaders, Women’s Leaders and Government Peace Members.
3 – The rally finished in the Salvation Army Church at 8:00pm.
4 - We had nice prayers and religious songs and a Message for Peace
in Church from 8:05 until 9:00pm.
5 - I thanked the people for this and also told them about The World
Peace Prayer Society.
6 - We provided a nice dinner for everyone at 9:15pm.
We got a lot of photographs and video tapes about 21st September International
Day of Peace.
May
Peace Prevail On Earth.
Pastor.Ajmal Chaughtai
Minister of Christian Life Ministries Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
The Peace Day 21 September was celebrated
with a lot of enthusiasm this time in Pakistan, many organizations,
Institutions, schools and individual people joined in the effort of
propagating the message.
A
few activities managed here are as follows:
1- A special program
was arranged at a teachers training session being conducted locally.
These teachers had come from far-flung areas of Pakistan and represented
almost 100 schools, in the North western province of Pakistan. Present at the
occasion were officials of ministry of Education Pakistan, personnel
from the British Council-Pakistan, members of Rotary club of Islamabad
West-RCIW, the chief guest was Brig. R. Noor Hussein, who was the
last ADC to our Leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1948.
Right
to left :
Rtn. Nsir Javed VP Askari Bank (member RCIW), Mr. Sohail
Anwer manger British Council. Rtn. Bashir Mirza (member RCIW), Rtn.
Masrur Scheik (member RCIW), Brig. R. Noor Hussein, Mrs Noor Hussein,
Rtn Tahira Javed (member RCIW), Rtn. Noreen Mirza (member RCIW and
Peace Rep. WPPS Rawaplindi Pakistan)
The teachers put up very moving skits and sung songs for the
audience. The last skit particularly displayed the message:” May Peace
Prevail on Earth.”
2- In the morning a
rededication at the Peace Pole planted two years ago at a park in
the heart of the city was organized by the Rotary club of Islamabad
West; some members with their families, and some friends gathered
at the park. A young upcoming artist was invited to exhibit his posters
on Peace and give a talk on his concept of Peace. After wards all
present wrote a peace message on cards and shared their thoughts with
others, as a mark of rededication at the pole.
3- At least 10 schools
participated by conducting special assemblies, poster competition
and exhibitions and the slogan “May Peace Prevail on Earth” was highlighted.
In this effort almost 4500 children were involved.
Names of participating schools:
1. SLS Schools
Rawalpindi – five branches
2. Cantonment
public school
3. Fauji Foundation
schools – four branches
The teacher of SLS School writes: “The children
presented an assembly program. The backdrop featured “May Peace Prevail
on Earth.” The assembly began with the recitation from the Holy Quran.
Then teacher explained the concept of Peace day highlighting the important
points like, Why is it celebrated? Who can be responsible for the
World Peace? Also establishing that it depends on each one of us.
Children dressed in white were shown as peace birds on the stage and
they sung the sing “We shall live in Peace…”
4- A local Institution
held a special religious ceremony by reciting holy verses and praying
for Peace within, and for all humanity.
Dear Ms. Noreen Mirza,
Thanks for your kind email about Peace Day. Here is the report of
our activity for peace:
To bring back the peace, love and prosperity in the life of humans
around the world, NCC (Nice Community Creators) Pakistan has been
arranging Mehfil-e-Darood Sharif every month on first Saturday and
third Sunday in NCC Complex, Chungi No.22, Dhamial Road, Rawalpindi
Cantt - Pakistan at 10:00 am since 14 August 2002 on regular basis.
At 12:30 pm, after the afternoon prayers, 50-70 participants including
male, female and children from the local community enjoy lunch and
pray together.
This time our Mehfil-e-Darood Sharif was held on the Peace Day, and
about 30 ladies, 25 men and 10 children prayed for the Peace in the
nice world.
You are welcome at Mehfil along with your friends and relatives next
time. The people who are attending this Mehfil are getting peace in
their own personal lives and getting rid of sicknesses.
Thanks and regards
Yours sincerely
N. A. Siddiqui, President
NCC Pakistan
P: 0092 - 51 - 55 20 564
E: nccpak@yahoo.com
www.iearnpk.org/NAS.htm
5- Rotary Club of Karachi held a special meeting
and visited local hospital, specially the children’s ward and distributed
sweets. The club reporter writers: “the gleam on the face of the children
was so reassuring and the activity gave us an inner peace and satisfaction.
We conveyed the message – “May Peace Prevail on Earth. ”
6- Rotary Cub of Metropolitan-Rawalpindi held a special meeting
in which they lighted candles and observed silence; later the members
shared their views and experiences about peace initiatives. It is
noteworthy point that this club has at least fifteen foreign diplomats
as members.
KARACHI, PAKISTAN
Here
in Karachi, Pakistan we organized a candle light peace vigil on the International day
of Peace on September 21, 2003. The candlelight vigil was
attended by over 50 people, mostly the youth.
This
vigil was organized by:
- Aurangzeb Haneef
(Transcend: A network of Peace and Development)
- Sophia Saifi,
Anum Mansuri
- Currim Suteria
(Youth Initiative for Peace)
The
Vigil was called to make a statement about countries involved
in State terrorism such as:
1 Israel's stance that Arafat must be killed or removed by force
2 India's constant oppression against the people of Kashmir
Transcend
and YIP, called a Candlelight Vigil & invited other Peace,
Human Rights, Women's Rights & Civic Organizations against such
terrorist tactics, which is going to be responsible for destroying
all hope of Peace in the region".
"On International Peace Day we called upon all people
around the world to celebrate it by denouncing all non-peaceful &
violent actions - be they be by Governments, groups or individuals!!!!!!!!!"
"Our lives begin
to end the day we become silent about things that matter" -
Martin Luther King Jr.
Thanks
and regards,
Aurangzeb
Haneef
LAHORE,
PAKISTAN
Report:
Peace Walk on International Day of Peace
Date: 21-09-2003
Greetings
in Peace & Love, and Congratulations on World Peace Day!
With the whole world celebrating the International Day of Peace,
as announced by Secretary-General of the UN, we congratulated the
Secretary-General for this very important initiative. Everybody wants
peace in the world and it challenges all communities that, day by
day, killing forces are increased because of unjustified violence
of injustice. We would request to the UN to play their role to make
a peaceful world.
The
Peace Walk was organized by World Peace Prayer Society-Lahore,
International Peace Bureau-Lahore, The United Religions Initiative
Pakistan, Human Friends Organization, Women and Children Development
Org, and Tahreek Taraki-e-Insaniat on the
International Day of Peace. As the peace activities are taking
place around the world to support United Nations, all the people of
the world are with them towards the promotion of peace and restoration
of human values. It was really a wonderful event where about 200 children
and 100 adult participants took an active role.
The children of St. Paul School, who are the part of our CC Education Project,
started preparations weeks ago. The school children prepared caps,
badges, banners, flags, handbills, and stickers themselves with the
guidance of their teachers. Daily they enjoyed preparing the materials
with their own contribution and school funds. All the children,
of all religions– Christians, Muslims and Hindus–worked together.
With joint work of peace preparation, the interfaith mission was
promoted specially for Peace and Harmony. Daily the Headmistress of
the School & Women’s Coordinator, Madam Rehana, taught them about
peace and love and the mission of the United Religions Initiative.
The children also shared with their parents; it was also good and
positive hearing from the parents.
At
2:30 p.m., the school children with parents, general community
and various URI CC members and the Members of Tehreek Taraqe-E-Insaniate
CC were gathered at the Fallities Hotel, a prominent place of Lahore City. Meanwhile Maulana Khabeer Azad with other
Muslim scholars, Christian pastors and members of the Hindu community
joined with us. They were all happy when they saw the innocent children,
especially girls, on the road to promote peace in the world. They
expressed great tributes to the children and staff for their efforts
for such a wonderful event.
The
Peace Walk was started at 3:00 p.m. The children were in their colourful uniforms with the badges, wearing
caps, waving the Flags of Peace on which they had written:
1. May Peace Prevail On Earth
2. We Want Peace
3. We Condemn Terrorism
4. We Want Peace & Harmony
5. Peace & Love is Life
6. We want rights for education and health
7. God is Love
8. Happy International World Peace Day to all
the world
9. Happy Peace Day to the URI Family.
Tehreek
members and women were holding the placards and banners on which special
slogans of URI and words of peace promotion were endorsed. “May Peace
Prevail on Earth” was in English and also in our local language in
Urdu. Also:
1. The URI is a bridge-building organization,
not a religion
2. We respect the sacred wisdom of each religion,
spiritual expression and indigenous tradition. (This principle of
the URI was written on the banners)
The
Peace Walk crossed the Holiday Inn Hotel, Awan-e-Iqbal, Egerton Road, and reached the Press club in 1-1/2 hours. Children
kept singing peace songs and poems of the World Peace Day. At the
Press Club participants were received by the citizens of Lahore, Pakistan and appreciated. At the closing ceremony, Mr. Yuel Bhatti, Coordinator
of Tehreek Taraqe-E-Insaniate CC, in his speech to the gathering and
to the press media explained the aim of the Peace Walk. He expressed
the URI Charter and efforts for the peace, harmony and reconciliation
among the religions. He said that the purpose of the promotion of
peace in the world is so necessary for our coming generation for a
better life style, economic development, education and in all of life
living.
Thereafter
Maulana Khabeer Azad led a prayer of the Muslim faith, especially
for the URI mission, for peace and harmony, reconciliation in all
religions etc. Mr. Younis Khan led a prayer in the Christian faith;
he quoted Jesus’ mission, as Jesus is the Prince of Peace and Christianity
taught us to respect each other and share each other’s burden, and
he offered a blessing for peace, “May Peace Prevail on Earth!” St. Paul School children sang peace songs and lit the peace
candle, offering a prayer in chain. At that moment they were also
holding the Holy Quran and Holy Bible. The children also distributed
flowers and peace badges to the general public.
In the end Maulana Khaber Azad, Pioneer Member of URI, presented
Shiled to Madam Rehana for special effort for this great event and
awarded special remarks for the children, staff general, and all CCs,
i.e. Lahore CC, Women & Children Development and Tehreek Taraqe-E-Insaniate
CC. Mr. Yuel Bhatti presented flowers to Maulana Azad. Refreshments
of juice and biscuits were served to all the participants. The following
day, the news appeared in all the newspapers.
!MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH!
With
Peace and Love,
Yuel Bhatti, Tehreek Taraqe-E-Insaniate CC
Javed Iqbal Gill, URI CC Lahore
Rehanan Paul
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad
MULTAN,
PAKISTAN
Congratulations
on the International Day of Peace!
I
would like to inform with great joy that we have just completed one
colorful event of World Day of Peace. It took place at the Pastoral
Institute Multan, Pakistan on Sunday,
21st September 2003.
The
following activities have taken place:
1.
Celebration of two Holy Masses for peace around the world. In one
Holy Mass Fr. Albert Youhanna was the Main Celebrant and in the other
Fr James Channan. The theme of our homilies was the UN's Declaration
of the International Day of Peace, as well as challenges to peace
and how people all around the world can make it possible. We appreciated
the UN announcement for peace and congratulated Mr. Kofi Annan for
this day. All hymns in the Holy Mass were on peace. The need to promote
among religion was strongly emphasized.
2.
Peace Walk was held from the Pastoral Institute Multan with hundreds
of people from the Chapel to the office of the Justice and Peace Commission
Pakistan, which is two blocks away. There were also representatives
of Muslim and Hindu communities. Mr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi, the District
Nazi (Commissioner), Sr. Norris Nawab, and Fr. James Channan led the
peace walk. Several banners were carried by young people and children
with the slogans such as: May peace prevail in Earth, Give peace a
chance, Thank you UN for the World Peace Day, We love Peace, Yes to
Peace, No to War. Blessed are the Peace Makers. War Kills Human Resources.
3.
Two trees have been planted to commemorate this World Day of Prayer
and Peace. One tree was planted at the office of the Justice and Peace
Commission of the Major Superiors Leadership Conference of Pakistan
by the Commissioner Mr. Riaz Qureshi and the other at the Pastoral
Institute Multan by Fr. James Channan.
4.
Dozens of doves and pigeons were released as a symbol of peace.
5.
One minute of silence was observed at 12.00 noon for peace in the world.
The
organizations which participated in these events included:
I.
United Religions Initiative Pakistan MCC
II.
World Peace Prayer Society
III.
Pastoral Institute Multan
IV.
Justice and Peace Commission of Major Superiors Pakistan
V.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
This
is our contribution for peace from Pakistan.
We
love peace. People of Pakistan love peace.
May
peace prevail on Earth!
May
peace prevail in Pakistan!
Fr.
James Channan OP
Regional
Coordinator URI Asia
See Appendix for
related news item carried by the Union of Catholic Asian News
(UCANEWS)
PA4799.1255 September 24, 2003
Priest Calls For Government To
Ratify Rights Accords, Forge Peace Treaties
SIALKOT, PAKISTAN
Celebration
of World Peace Day 21st
September 2003 by Pakistan Council for Social Welfare and Human Rights
According to UN declaration that the Peace
Day will be celebrated throughout the world on 21st September, 2003, as a one of active
partner with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) Pakistan Council
for Social Welfare & Human Rights (PCSW&HR) also observe the
peace vigil throughout the Sialkot District using its all resources.
The details of activities taken by PCSW&HR for the observation
of peace day are as under.
BACKGROUND
The PCSW&HR is one of the Non-Governmental
registered Organizations working on human rights, minority rights,
equality, social justice and durable peace, creation of understanding
and harmony among the different creeds,, civilization and communities
through the process of social mobilization and community awareness
at grassroot levels
This NGO was established at Sialkot in 1992 in order
to meet the fundamental rights of citizens.
The Sialkot is one of the multi culture and
multi creeds locality of Pakistan in this area approximately half
million Christian community enjoy their civil rights with the two
and half million Muslims majority and approximately three thousand
Hindu population and one Sikh family is also living in this area.
In this connection, Sialkot is
a model District of Pakistan where the different creeds peoples are
living together to create better understanding and harmony with the
purpose of jointly protection of basic human rights, equality peace
and distribution of social justice and a sustainable social development.
As one of step to achieve the noble goals
of equality, justice, peace, religious harmony the PCSW&HR observed
the international peace day with the following steps.
Meeting
with Executive District Officer (Education)
Chairman Pakistan Council for Social Welfare
& Human Rights Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori, held a meeting with Executive
District Officer Education Department and informed him that Peace
Day will be celebrated through out the world including Pakistan on
21st September, 2003 and Pakistan Council for Social Welfare
& Human Rights is coordinating with UN for the celebrating of
world peace day at District Sialkot. Worthy Chairman requested Executive
District Officer Education for the issuance of a circular to the heads
of all institutions working under the jurisdiction of District Sialkot
for the celebration of peace day on 20th September, 2003
(due to holiday on 21st September, 2003, Sunday). Executive
District Officer Education District Sialkot issued a circular to the
all heads of male and female colleges, higher secondary, secondary,
elementary, primary and technical schools, and instructed them that
special prayers should be arranged on peace day and as well as special
lectures on the importance of peace, justice, equality and tolerance
with reference to Islamic and others religion’s point of view.
Meeting
with District Governor
Chairman PCSW&HR held meeting with District
Governor Mian Naeem Javed and informed him regarding the celebration
of World Peace Day on 21st
September 2003 as per UN decision.
Chairman requested District Governor to inform all the UC Nazims,
Counselors (Union Council team) for the celebration of world peace
at their Union Council level and on that day special prayers should
offered for peace especially at Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine.
Meeting
with Bishop of Sialkot
Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori Chairman PCSW&HR
also held meeting with Bishop of Sialkot for the same above-mentioned
purpose and requested him for the celebration of Peace Day. He requested
the Bishop to arrange special prayers for peace in their churches,
schools etc.
Peace
Day Report
As per declaration of UN and by the efforts
of PCSW&HR, Peace Day was observed throughout the District Sialkot.
At about 2600 educational institutions throughout the Sialkot District,
special prayers were offered by the students and teachers for peace
throughout the world, especially in Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. Lectures were also
delivered by the teachers to their students on the importance of peace,
justice, equality and serving of humanity with reference to religion
point of view. About half million students and teachers were actively
involved in this activity.
Mr.
Arshad Mehmood Bhagoo MP, Bishop of Sialkot Samuel Pervez, Muhammad
Ijaz Noori, Emanuel K.Gill and others during the peace ceremony.
For
the celebration of Peace Day, a joint ceremony was arranged by the
Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights and Sialkot Cathedral School at the premises
of Cathedral School Christian Town Sialkot. Chief Guest of
this ceremony was Mr. Arshad Mehmood Bhagoo MPA Punjab, whereas the
Bishop of Sialkot and the Chairman of National Council Churches in
Pakistan The Ret. Rev. Samuel Pervez presided over this ceremony.
Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori, Chairman, Mr. Arshad Bhatti Vice Chairman
Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights, other personalities
and hundreds of students also participated in this ceremony. The ceremony
started with recitation from both holy books Quran and Bible. After
that Mr. Emanuel K. Gill briefed the audience about the purpose of
ceremony. He said that peace day is being observed for the creation
of awareness in general public on the importance of peace in a human
society according to the religious and cultural values of the Pakistani
society, he said that the peace is essential for the sustainable human
development and a progressive society, addressing the ceremony Mr.
Muhammad Ijaz Noori said in his speech that peace is need of hour
for whole humanity. In these days all world is worry about terrorism
and wants peace in the life. He said that terrorists are only terrorists
and they have no religion. He further said that values has been changed
in the world and now public opinion and unity has made second super
power as we saw this against USA during Iraq war. He added that for
durable peace we have to unite public opinion from the basic level
to the world level.
Principal Govt. Degree
College for Women Sialkot Miss Aqeela Hameed, Vice Principle Tabsum
Naseer, and Professor Naila Arshad delivering lectures on the importance
of peace on Peace Day. Students are also singing peace songs
During his speech Member of Provincial Assembly
and Chief Guest of the ceremony Mr. Arshad Mehmood Bhagoo said that
Islam is a religion that teaches us religion, tolerance, peace, justice
and welfare of humanity. He said that in Islam there is no room for
bloodshed. He further said that according to Islam, murder of one
man is the murder of the whole of humanity, and one who save any soul
has saved the whole of humanity. He further said that Islam means
peace, love, justice, and equality. Mr. Bhagoo said peace is basic
need of humanity. We should try and work for the betterment of humanity,
protection of human rights with out any prejudice of religion, race
and color etc. He said that peace is not only for followers of one
religion; peace is needed for the followers of all religions. He further
added in his speech that in Pakistan we can end the terrorism,
poverty, etc by collective efforts without the discrimination of majority
or minority. Without peace we cannot have development. Bishop Samuel
Pervez In his speech said that Islam and Christianity are both religions
that urge for human development, protection of human rights, peace
and tolerance. Therefore, it is the need of the hour that we should
struggle collectively for peace, elimination of terrorism,
human development and protection of human rights at the grassroots
level with out any discrimination. He further said that we can only
end world crises like terrorism by the promotion of tolerance.
Mr. Arshad Mehmood
Bhagoo MP, Bishop Samuel Pervez, Muhammad Ijaz Noori, Emanuel K. Gill
and Arshad Ali Bhatti lighting the candles at the end of peace ceremony.
At
the end of the ceremony candles were lighted by the Mr. Arshad Mehmood
Bhagoo, Bishop Samuel Pervez, Muhammad Ijaz Noori and others for peace
and collective prayer was also offered for durable peace, justice,
equality through out the world especially in Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan,
Palestine and the South Asia region by the all participants of this
ceremony.
Students of Government Muslim High School and teacher offering collective prayer for
peace.
The Students of Government Degree College for Women Sialkot offering peace prayer
on peace day.
Briefing
to Press Media
Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori Chairman Pakistan Council for Social
Welfare & Human Rights along with other Executive members of the
NGO also briefed to representatives of all National newspapers regarding
the celebration of Peace Day. He requested them to highlight the importance
of peace in their articles. About all newspapers published special
articles on peace, justice and equality in their special edition with
reference to peace.
Mr.
Muhammad Ijaz Noori
Chairman
Pakistan Council for Social
Welfare & Human Rights
2003
World Peace Prayer Society Compilation
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