Global Peace Festival Report

By Rajesh Fandan

Basic Introduction:

A Global Peace festival was organized on Saturday, August 9, 2008 in US in Washington DC at national level and various parts of countries at regional level. The main objective of the event was to event to promote cooperation among the world's religious leaders. The event represents the launch of a long-term initiative by more than 150 faith- and community-based organizations to advocate for peace and unity worldwide.

Thousands of people gathered to celebrate the festival at National level in Washington and hundreds gathered at regional level.

Role of Nirankari Mission:

As it is a well known fact in the world that our Nirankari Mission is dedicated to bring peace, harmony and brotherhood in this world at all levels and with the same objective especially with a focus on inter faith harmony several members from Nirankari Mission were invited and honored during this festival.

Dr. Rai Ji, President, SNM-USA represented Nirankari Mission at Washington, Rev. Devraj Ji, Pramukh Northern California along with few other members joined the global peace festival in Bay Area (San Leandro) at Bay Area Family Church.

Event Summary at Bay Area Church, San Leandro:

Rev. Devraj Ji accompanied by Atul Batra ji, Anmol ji, Amar Pal ji, Prafull ji and Rajesh ji represented Sant Nirankari Mission in the Global Peace festival at Bay Area Church, San Leandro, California.

Rev. Devraj Ji’s representation was very significant as a representing Member of Nirankari Mission during this festival and he was Honored and Applauded as ambassador of Peace and Harmony. To enhance the joy further he was presented an award named as “Ambassador of Peace”.

On this day Rev. Devraj Ji addressed the community audiences which comprised of people from different faiths, countries, languages, age and economic groups to believe in Peace, Humbleness and Non-Violence and live a virtuous life. He quoted examples of Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and Baba Gurbachan Singh and drew a parallel among those that all of them had to face tough challenges and opposition but they continued on their path of peace.

After Rev Devraj Ji’s speech a Jewish Rabbi and a Muslim Leader recited Prayers for peace and harmony.

This regional event was composed of outdoor cultural performances and an indoor webcast on Washington event at National level.

The cultural activities were performed by various participants from different countries and different age groups. Few excerpts can be explained in following paragraph;

On one hand a little Chinese girl stole the hearts of the show with her dance and on a different time youth groups caught their attention with regional dances. Key highlights were dances from China, Vietnam and Argentina.

During the similar time frame the people was served Lunch, which was prepared by volunteers.

Later on at 3pm PST, we were invited to view webcast on Washington events in the auditorium.

Through this webcast we saw various religious leaders were asked to pour Holy water in one container to project the faith of “All in One”, “one family under God” and “Unity in Diversity”. Here Dr Rai Ji also participated and represented Nirankari Mission along with other religious heads.

Also, we heard the amazing testimonies of two mothers and the Israeli and Palestinian young men. Speakers included D.C. civil rights activist and former D.C. Delegate Walter E. Faun troy and GPF Chairman Hyun Jin Moon, son of Unification Church founder the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

Few experiences from fellow members:

People were really over whelmed and enjoyed the festivals. Re confirmed the feelings of Love and affection for humanity. Re-strengthened faith in God with nice songs, speeches, testimonies.

Over all it was very beneficial at individual and social level.

General Information about Global Peace Festival event:

· The first festival was held in the Araneta Coliseum in Manila in 2006.

· There are a total of 17 festivals planned for 2008, including a grand finale in Brazil in late December.

· The next festival will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, Aug. 29-31.

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