The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi, has urged delegated and interfaith workers at the just ended Warp Summit in Seoul to seize the moment and capitalize on the opportunity offered by the summit to have a powerful, world-wide peace movement initiated by Mr Man Hee Lee.
Professor Ibrahim, who represented global Muslim religious leaders, was addressing about 200,000 people who gathered at the iconic Olympic stadium in Seoul (South Korea) last week, at the climax of the world’s biggest summit of all religions.
“Starting here, from this great city, Seoul, to the whole world—let us have a movement that should include all religions, cultures, nations, and people from all over the world, to build a peace that lasts forever, peace that all of us, adults and children, men and women, old and young—feel it, experience it, and enjoy it,” he said to a huge round of applause.
Dubbed the Festival of Peace, the grand ceremony, which was part of the four-day event-packed summit, jointly convened by the International Center for Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the Berlin-based Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) , featured a kaleidoscope of countries, creeds, and cultures —as international political leaders—among whom, 30 former presidents and high government officials, religious leaders—among whom, high-level Islamic scholars from the Arab world and spiritual heads of major religious groups, as well as traditional and civil society leaders.
Prof. Ibrahim reminded delegates that peace is not possible without dialogue, and to have peace among peoples and nations, there is the need for peace among religions.
“Islam encourages us believers to open dialogue with others, and Almighty Allah, our God revealed in the Qur’an many conversations and dialogue which took place between messengers and their people—both believers and non-believers,” he added.
Often interrupted by resounding ovation from the teaming crowd at the stadium, he noted that Allah himself has on many occasions dialogued with the devil, and that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was sent to establish peace and bring mercy to the whole mankind—as it’s stated in the Quran: “When those who fight you choose peace, you should choose peace too immediately.”
Prof. Ibrahim further observed that Islamic history had many great examples of the importance of peace building among different nations and peoples, and urged interfaith workers to focus on peace building to rid the world of wars.
“We, who work in interfaith, should work as peace builders, peace promoters, peace mediators, and peace facilitators—people of the middle way, as you might call them—upright in character, with passionate patience and loving kindness,” he declared.
Conveners Messages
Main summit convener and Chair of the international center for Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Lights (HWPL), Hon. Man Hee Lee observed that “Throughout our history, it has been the youth and young adults who have had to sacrifice their lives on the front lines of battle. Despite the fact that they are born into the same world and walk the same earth as any other member of humanity, their lives have been taken from them before they even had the chance to come into fullness. But nobody and no law on this earth have been able to provide compensation for their sacrifice.”
Mr. Man Hee Lee therefore called for an urgent need for bodies like the UN, former heads of states, and leaders of the justice departments of each country to draft and enact a new international law and have current world political leaders to sign the law agreeing to end wars, and be committed to it to encourage its implementation.
Mr. Man Hee Lee also urged the youth to consider themselves as key to peace and stability as they are often the agents through whom those wars are perpetrated.
The Chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Council (IWPC), Ms. Soung Hee Kim, observed that “This generation is in need of change that is close to reformation. In creating a peaceful world and leaving it as an eternal legacy to future generations, today’s signing ceremony is very significant.
“This agreement is only a beginning, but is has a tremendous power that will unite a promise with another and turn the whole world into a world of peace. And this one piece of paper connects one country with another and unites different classes and different religion as one,” she added.
On behalf of the youth, the President of the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), Steve Kim said the summit “Is important for the youth of IPYG because it is here that we are able to enter the dialogue for peace, a dialogue that is most pertinent to the future of our children, with you the leaders, legislators, and custodians of our world.”
Political and faith leaders’ messages
Congratulatory messages came from eigth political and religious leaders at the festival. Former President of Romania and President of the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy, Emil Constantinescu, commended Mr. Man Hee Lee for “his exceptional endeavors” by engaging global youth, religious and political leaders, and assured the summit that through the effort of the Chair of the HWPL, the mantle of world peace would be carried by men, women, the youth, and children.
Former Russian Vice President, Alexandria Rutskoy, expressed his support and hoped that the summit would not be a one-time meeting, but a commemorative celebration that will bring practical outcome and reconciliation for world peace.
Other congratulatory statements came from the former South African Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe, Former Irish leader Bertie Ahern, and former president of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic.
Congratulatory message also came from the Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Manila, Gaudencio B. Rosales, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Singh Sahib Giani, as well as the American Orthodox Rabbi, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.
Festival of peace
Mere words cannot describe the scenery during the Festival of Peace at the Olympic stadium — but simply put, it was very similar to an opening ceremony of a World Cup or Olympic Games: with the WARP Summit logo perfectly drawn on the field of the stadium by thousands of volunteers in adroit choreography, a “card section” synching in perfect harmony as if being performed by extra-terrestrial creatures, video camera-embedded drones being thrown up above (in the sky) capturing a bird’s eye view of the festival, fire rockets and glitteratis being displayed in repetitive; colorful patterns, and thousands upon thousands of Korean volunteers displaying their obvious ingenuity as they sing and synch their twerks (back and forth) to a peaceful, somber, almost melancholic tune. It was a scene to be seen—in order to be believed!
Heavy lifting—peace agreement
But September 18 was the “real heavy lifting”—when the business of peace building took off in marathon session after the main key note session, and singing of peace agreement.
Peace Walk
Friday September 19 again brought some 200,000 people for a Walk of World Peace, which took place at the Peace Square of the Olympic Park—and it was climaxed by a press conference where the resolution made during the summit was presented.