IMPRESSIONS
ON
THE
URI
ASIA
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
in
New Delhi, India
by
Yuel Bhatti,
Executive Secretary,
United Religions Initiative (URI) Pakistan
10 December 2007
The URI Pakistan delegates, consisting of 26 members, got
unique and significant opportunity and experience by attending the
URI Asia Regional Assembly at
New Delhi
,
India
from 22 to 25 November 2007. The theme of the conference
”Promoting Peace: Through Reconciliation” was so impressive
and healthy. It is because, the peace environment of this region
is not stable. It was historic moment when the Pakistani delegates
meet other members of the URI family from all over
Asia
.
In the
Inaugural Session on 24th November 2007 at 10am at
Nehru
Memorial
Museum
& Library Teen Murti
House,
New Delhi
. The Pakistani
delegates were warmly welcomed by the host in great enthusiasm and
love show that “without Pakistani Delegate Assembly will not be
held “ as said by the Dr. Mohinder Sing. Fr. James Channan OP,
Regional Coordinator for Aisa/Pakistan has
made it possible
to participate in this assembly by obtaining
visas of Pakistani delegates
with a lot of hard work.
Dr. Mohinder Singh also
thanked all the participants from
Korea
,
Bangladesh
,
Nepal
,
Sri Lanka
,
Pakistan
and
India
.
In his
inaugural address, the Chief Guest, His Excellency Shri M. Hamid
Ansari, Vice-President of India said that the nations resolve the
issue but it is great historic moment when the interfaith leaders
gather to resolve the issues especially for interfaith peace and
harmony for sustainable peace and development and in solving
certain issues of the oppressed community in the region. Mr.
Ansari also said that
in my observation the
people of Indo-Pak
would like the brotherhood and see the better environment
for peace and love. It is not a
matter of any religion but the humanity is the
only platform where we can gather and resolve the issues
peacefully. I
congratulate all the organizers of the Assembly and my best wishes
for all the participants to have fruitful and healthy assembly.
The
special messages for this Regional Assembly from Bishop Swing,
Founder and President of the URI,
was read by Fr. James Channan
In his message Bishop Swing said, "I can picture you
all gathered together with stories to tell, with support to be
given, and with the strengthened resolve to
be about the task of peace making in local settings.
Another picture also comes to mind. It is this portrait of a
growing family of URI.
Once upon a time, the
URI was just an idea. But at the Asian Assembly it is a reality
and can be seen with the eye. Beautiful and large, growing
more beautiful and large yet. You all at the Asian Assembly fill
me with great hope and I send affectionate best wishes for a
successful meeting. I am proud to
know you."
After
reading the message of Bishop Swing ,
Fr James added his own message by saying
that I am grateful to the government of
India
for granting visas to all 26 delegates from
Pakistan
. He said these delegates are ‘doves of peace’ from
Pakistan
and we have come with
branches of olive tree in our hands. We want all nations and
religions to live in peace. He also said that let us put into
practice the
Golden Rule as said by Jesus Christ
that “Do unto others, what you would like them to do unto
you”. This rule is found in all religions. Let us practice it.
He also congratulated all members of the Sikh community on the
great occasion of the Birthday of Hazrat Baba Guru Nanak, the
founder of Sikh religion. The message of
Fr James Channan was received with great joy, appreciation
and with rounds of
claps.
Swami
Agnivesh, Dr. Nirmala Deshpande,
Bhai Mohinder Singh, Rev. Jinwol Lee and
Ms.Yoland Triveno congratulated
the organizers for holding this
Assembly and said that it is great time indeed
for interfaith dialogue
and promoting peace and harmony. It
will reflect good impact of the URI purpose and its
dreams coming true for peace in
Asia when the
Interfaith leaders from several countries of
Asia
are gathered for sharing their
experiences of reconciliation
towards peace process
in the region.
Tree
plantation by the delegates was the consustive event when we
planted the Peace plant as representing of their country will be
historic plant in the future. The involvement of the children was
inspiring for new generation towards promoting peace process.
After the
lunch break session was started on “Presentation on vision of
URI.
In her
keynote address Ms.
Yoland Triveno, Chairperson, Global Council URI
said
the prayers
coming true and vision and purpose of URI coming true out of dream
and practically and person to person we are meeting in great joy
and blessings. What a wonderful collaboration of interfaith
leaders who traveled long distances
gathered for their valuable sharing and interaction. I
congratulate all the parcipants for remarkable contribution
towards interfaith dialogue for peace besides facing so many
challenges in their counties.
I am much impressed by this gathering and especially the
Pakistani delegate who faced difficulties in obtaining
visas but I salute
to Fr.James
Channan OP, and his team for their patience, courage and
dedication. The involvement of students of Salwan public School in
the Assembly is amazing and healthy sign for coming generation and
vision of URI for Youth is coming true.
Angles
of Peace: A ceremony was held for fixing the URI mono to the
Salwan
Public School
student who are committed themselves
for peace and interfaith harmony.
Presentation
of Country report: The
representatives of each country presented their reports and
activities for spreading the peace was encouraging and milestone
presentation. From
Pakistan
Fr. James Channan OP, the regional coordinator for Asia/Pakistan
presented a brief
report of the country while Sr. Sabina Riffat, Yuel Bhatti, Allama
Abu Feth Chisti, Saeed –
ur-
Rehman and Rev George Feth Din also presented
reports of activities they did to promote peace and
harmony. All participants appreciated and applauded these
impressive reports..
In the
evening session
Rev.Jinwol Lee, Dr.Ibraham Karickam Mr.Sushil Dutt Dr. J.S. Neki
gave their remarkable experience and sharing for the process of
Peace. They all urged that
we should depart with the new vision and expectations of the
assembly when we all will meet next year for the Global Council in
India
.
Mr. Hira
Paul Gangnegi, extend the warm vote of thanks to all the delegates
and participants
In the
evening cultural program was presented by the Korean delegates. It
was the musical show
of singing
peace and cultural songs while
the Pakistani delegates also present a cultural show with
celebration of honoring the Asian URI Council Members by doing
“Dastar bandi” : a
cultural Turban which is awarded
for recognition and respect. . Mr. Yuel Bhatti put
the turbans on the head of
Dr. Mohindar Sing, Mr. Biswadeb Chakarwarti
to Fr.James
Channan OP and Mr. Saleemi to
Rev. Jinwol Lee which Fr.James Channan honored the turban to Mr.
Hira Paul and Dr. Abraham Karickam.
It was colorful ceremony of the Cultural Progame.
On 25th
November 2007 all delegates visited the historical places
of
New Delhi
, Fort, Qutab Minar, Ghandi Samadi,
Jain Mandar, mosque and
Lotus
Temple
. It was good time
when all the delegates mixed and interacted
in person. It was great time to visit the holy and cultural
place. On 26th
the Pakistan Delegates visited
Agra
to see
Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world.
In
conclusion I can say that URI Regional Assembly provided a
wonderful opportunity to meet the Asian leaders and members of the
URI family from all over
Asia
. We shared our activities and renewed our
goals and
vision of promoting
peace and interfaith harmony . We are confident that in
future the flag of the URI will shine in
each city of the
Asian countries. Long live URI!
Yuel
Bhatti
Executive
Secretary
URI
Pakistan
10
December 2007
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