Birmingham, United Kingdom—About 90 people from seven faith traditions attended a mini-Peace Festival organized by UPF.
The meeting, titled “Building Peace Together,” was held on September 19, 2021, at the Al-Mahdi Institute, which already has hosted several UPF events. In addition to the participants who attended in person, others watched the meeting on YouTube.
After several readings from sacred scriptures, three speakers gave presentations on the broad theme of peacebuilding.
Sheikh Arif Abdul Hussain, the director of the Al-Mahdi Institute, gave an amazing talk that was well received, followed by Rev. Marcia Levine, minister of the New Jerusalem Apostolic Church, who has spoken twice at events of the World Christian Leadership Conference (WCLC), an organization that is affiliated with UPF.
Dr. David Earle of UPF-Birmingham gave an introduction to the ideals and activities of UPF and Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), an affiliated organization.
The third speaker, Homera, a member of the Hazara ethnic minority of Afghanistan, gave a moving, heart-rending talk about the incredible suffering of the Hazaras.
Next on the program was an Ambassador for Peace ceremony, in which eight individuals were awarded UPF and WFWP Ambassador for Peace certificates. Then Dr. Earle and his wife, Patricia, presented white roses to Ruth, a Jewish peace activist who was 100 years old in May and still going strong!
Rev. Malachi Munyaneza of the United Reformed Church, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, offered a deep prayer to close the meeting. The participants then moved outside to the beautiful grounds of the institute for refreshments and socializing.