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Organization: International Day of Peace in Pakistan
The following information may be cited or quoted as long as the source is accurately mentioned and the words are not taken out of context.
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Postal address of organization/institution

---

E-mail address of organization/institution

info@cultureofpeace.org

Website address of organization/institution

http://cultureofpeace.org

Telephone of organization/institution

1-413-329-7517

PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN RIGHTS
WOMEN'S EQUALITY
DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION
UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity


PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?

See website

ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.

2009:

Islamabad: 437 from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists issued a statement urging all democratic forces to unite against terrorism while addressing the causes of poverty in Pakistan. A team of 3 youth organized a Peace program at Pak-Turk school. Lahore: United Religions Initiative Pakistan event with poems, songs and speeches. Guests included religious and political leaders, youth and people various religions. Elsewhere, there was a gathering to interpersonal connectivity, relationships and Peace. In collaboration with Peace Ambassadors Pakistan (ning). (Via United Religions Initiative)

Mardan: Local media presentation about Peace issues in the region, and the role of media in Peace making. Afterwards a Peace walk was organized.

2007:

Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Karachi. Students of Muslims and Christians on September 20th made art presentations and displayed their artwork in their classes. Fr. Bonnie Mendes director HDC and Ms. Rafia Ashfaq of DA 11 encouraged the students.

International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) A peace vigil was attended by a 37 member Pakistan Sikh Youth Federation in Lahore, a 75 member Muslim group in Sargohda and by a 17 member Bahai' in Sargohda.* In Sargohda, 26000 participants of different faiths (Muslims, Christians, Sikh, Hindus and Bahai) celebrated together.

Mutual Advancement and Reconciliation in Society (MARS) 265 participants on Peace Day celebrated at District Council Hall in Sheikhupura with a seminar called “Challenges to Peace”. Speeches were given by Mr. Bryan David Hunt, Principal Officer of the US Consulate, Lahore and professors and NGO directors which who addressed the root causes of intolerance, impatience and the lack of human values.

Organization for Peace and Development (OPD) and World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) Speeches on Peace were given by the Principal Officer of the US Consulate in Lahore, Bryan D. Hunt, and OPD Executive Director Jahangir Piara. A peace prayer followed by peace speeches and songs were also delivered by students of local schools.

Pakistan Christian Life Ministries Churches (Regd) in Faisalabad organized a Peace prayer service, a street rally for Peace and a Peace dance with all members.

A Peace Vigil was held at Polly-Olivia School in Lahore on September 23rd. 72 Christians and Muslims participated in the vigil, which had four main parts: Introspections of Peace, Externalities of Peace, Peace Messages and Resolutions of Peace.

St. Peter's High School, Association for Communal Harmony (ACHA) A 39 Days Peace Campaign took place from August 14 until Peace Day and was launched in Toba Tek Singh by ACHA and was also attended by St. Peter's High School, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Human Development Centre, Mary Jean Foundation Trust, Pakistan, International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) and Bangladesh-Bahrat-Pakistan Peoples Forum (BBPPF) Each day there was a special peace theme and art displayed on peace building. On Peace Day there was a joint fast, a talent show with peace skits and songs, peace games and peace tree plantings. In the evening, a special prayer service, peace vigil and peace potluck dinner took place at a Catholic Church, which was attended by many students and peace makers. In Teko Park, there was a Peace Procession.

Unitarians in Pakistan A group of about 500 participated in peace activities in Lahore.  

United Religions Initiative (URI) 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, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Baha and Parsi faith.

US Federation for Mid-East Peace A gathering of about 25 prayed together for peace

Women and Children Development Org and World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) arranged Peace Day celebrations at the Basharat-E-Ibn-E-Mariam School, Youhanabad, Lahore.

2005:

Organization for Peace and Development observed International Day of Peace at the Dar-Ul-Hikmat Education Centre, together with 400 school children and representatives of the Women and Children Development Society. The celebration started with a Peace Walk, during which the children were waving flags of all countries of the world. The walk was followed by Peace speeches, poems, songs, a tableau and the planting of a Peace Pole. Jahangir Piara of the Organization for Peace and Development talked about the importance of Peace Day and asked all participants to work for Peace in their own lives. At noon there was a prayer in silence for a culture of Peace in the world.

United Religions Initiative (URI) organized several events in cooperation with other organizations in Pakistan:

Staff and students of the Pastoral Institute Multan offered a Holy Mass for Global Peace in their chapel. Special readings on the message of Peace and love were chosen from the Holy Bible. Rev. James Channan, OP lead the ceremony and students sang Peace songs and offered petitions before God for Peace in the world, especially Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel/Palestine. A homily was given on global Peace: the role of the United Nations in promoting Peace and Peace messages from Pope Benedict XI and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

A Peace Walk was organized by the Multan Peace Network, Taraqi Pasand Organization, URI Pakistan and Caritas Pakistan Multan. More than 150 people gathered in front of the Press Club of Multan, where doves were released and Peace songs sung. Children were holding cards with slogans such as “We Want Peace and Not War”, “Give us Books and not Bombs” and “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. Fr. James Channan, OP, addressed the press and said that Pakistan is a Peace loving country, with only a small number of people wanting to disturb the Peace and promote terrorism. He urged the government of Pakistan to continue the dialogue with the government of Israel in order to help resolve the issue of Palestine. He also urged the government to celebrate International Day of Peace on September 21.

Cresent Lines Club of Multan organized a seminar on the theme of “Development of Peace and Harmony” at the Workers Welfare High School in Multan. The entire school staff and over 500 students were present. Students spoke about the need of promoting Peace and harmony among religions and Muslim students emphasized that Islam is a religion of Peace and tolerance. One minute of silence was observed at noon, as suggested by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Mr. Ijaz Ahmed of the Cresent Lines Club said in his speech that we must fight terrorism at all levels and destroy its roots. Fr. James Channan, OP, pointed out that versions of the Golden Rule are found in the teachings of all major religions. If all of us practice this Golden Rule and act upon it, we can bring lasting Peace in the entire world.

A large celebration was held at the Pastoral Institute Multan. The function began at 5pm with the releasing of doves and balloons in the air by guests and students of the Institute. A plant of Peace was planted on the lawn of the Institute by representatives of Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. These activities were followed by a Peace conference under the theme of “The Role of Civil Society in Promoting Global Peace”. A group of students from the Institute presented two Peace songs and a tableau. One minute of silence for world Peace was observed. Then, during the conference, representatives of 23 different organizations gave their view of global Peace and the role their organization is playing to promote Peace in the world. All speakers highlighted the importance of civil society in promoting Peace and human rights. All vowed to support the noble cause of the United Nations, and the message of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was read. Towards the end of the conference the participants agreed upon a number of resolutions which will promote Peace in Pakistan and the world.

The Tehreek-E-Insantiate (TTI) CC, the Peace and Development Foundation (PDF) and the Eric John Welfare society (EJWS) organized a seminar event on September 19, 2005. 250 people participated from the Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Baha’i Communities, including children of different faiths. The program began with interfaith prayers and singing the National Anthem. After one minute of silence for World Peace, Interfaith Prayers were offered. The UN declaration was presented initiating the International Day of Peace, the URI and the World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS). Children of Peace and Development Foundation (PDF) sang a song of Peace, a Peace candle was lit, Peace Pole Ceremony was held, balloons were flown and special prayers were offered. Fr. Nasir Gulfam, President of the Ceremony asked everyone to stand together to pray for world peace.

The Lahore URI CC arranged a Peace walk for school children. They also organized a Peace Conference with the theme “The Importance of World Peace”.

In Gujrat, the National Muslim Christian Dialogue CC and Ulama Peace Committee (Religious Leaders Peace Committee) organized a Peace conference at City Hall, with the theme “Our Role in Promoting Peace in Pakistan”, in which over 500 people participated. The event included speeches, one minute of silence and the message of Kofi Annan was read.

St. Andrews URI CC organized a Peace conference in Gujrat.

A joint Peace conference was organized in Islamabad, by Universal Interfaith Peace Organization, Ibeda Foundation and Press for Peace. The conference was held at a local hotel and had over 150 participants. Leaders of different religions held speeches and a commitment was made to work jointly for Peace in Pakistan and the world. The group observed one minute of silence and said a prayer for world Peace.

An All Pakistan Poetry Concert was organized in Multan on September 19 at the Pastoral Institute Multan. Over 30 poets participated and recited poems on global Peace and tolerance. A group of young girls and boys sang beautiful Peace songs. The International Day of Peace message by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was read in English and translated into Urdu.

The Pakistan Christian Life Ministries Church Worship Hall was opened for prayer for the whole day of September 21. There was a worship and candle ceremony and Peace songs sung by children.

In Lahore the Women and Children Development CC arranged a Peace festival for school children with prayers, Peace walk, poems, songs and dancing around a Peace pole.

In Toba Tek Singh a joint International Peace Day program was organized by The United Religions Initiative CC, The Young Christians Workers, St. Peter’s High School and the Teachers Resource Center and Human Development Center. The Peace message prepared by the United Religions Initiative was read and speeches were given promoting Peace and solidarity throughout the world.

PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade?

On a global level, reported events for the International Day of Peace continue to grow year after year (see the website listed above):

In the 2005 Report, 155 Peace Day events in 47 countries are presented.

The 2007 records show that:
* We had 623 commitments across the world
* 70 countries
* 225 cities (outside of the USA)
* 42 US states
* An estimate of nearly 500,000 participants
* An average of 500 people per event

2009 annual report listed 700+ events

OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?

not reported

PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?

The International Day of Peace is an annual event.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??

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Organization: International Day of Peace in Pakistan

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