Latest news with #PeaceCharter
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sikh delegation meets Pope Leo XIV
The chairman of a Sikh charitable organisation has spoken of the importance of dialogue between people of different faiths, following a meeting with the new Pope. Bhai Sahib, Prof Mohinder Singh, of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) in Birmingham, was among a Sikh delegation who attended an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday. "I was overjoyed, and of course I congratulated him on his inauguration," said Prof Mohinder Singh. "I felt very happy." Those present at the event, representing a a range of non-Catholic Churches and other religions, had attended the Pope's inauguration Mass the previous day. Among the guests were Prince Edward, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Prof Mohinder Singh described it as "a deeply spiritual moment". It was, he said, "a sacred invitation to renew our shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and reconciliation". Following the Mass, Prof Singh presented the inter-faith Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and offered prayers for peace in his country. He also asked the new Pope for "his continued support and blessing for the Peace Charter", a document which was first presented to Pope Francis in 2018. It was the third audience with a Pope for Prof Singh, who was the first Sikh in history to receive the pontifical order of knighthood for his service to interfaith relations. He said he believed the new Pope would continue the example set by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in being a symbol of hope and peace. In his address to the delegates, Pope Leo praised the work made by his predecessor towards interreligious dialogue and spoke of a "common path", involving everyone "in a spirit of human fraternity". Prof Mohinder Singh said this was "very, very important". "As per our own scripture, our Sikh scripture, all humans are sparks of the divine, humanity being one global family," he said. "We need to have interfaith cooperation and collaboration – that is almost essential." He added that he thought Pope Leo would continue, as Pope Francis had done, to represent sincerity and simplicity. "But he will also work on peace-building," he said. "That, I feel, is important for him. "His Holiness walks with humility, courage and moral clarity, following the luminous path of Pope Francis," added Prof Singh. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Pope Leo XIV calls for unity at inaugural mass and meets Zelensky Final respects paid to Pope in West Midlands GNNSJ The Holy See
Sharjah 24
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
Global Peace Summit ends with ‘Love Letter to Humanity' Charter
Sheikh Nahayan highlights wisdom as the foundation of peace Opening the second day of the summit with a keynote address, then Chief Guest, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence, said: 'It will be our wisdom that will bring about and strengthen peace among nations and will promote and ensure respect and human rights for everyone. It will be our wisdom that will allow us to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.' Citing examples of the wisdom of the UAE leaders, Sheikh Nahayan said their wisdom has made the UAE a country of progress, prosperity, and stability. 'It will be our wisdom that will ensure an economic prosperity that will reach everyone in the future and lead to better living conditions for all regions of the world,' adding that 'our wisdom that will make our cultural, economic and religious diversity a basis for mutual respect and for enhancing our capacity to bring great change as we act together.' Peace Charter to be presented to the United Nations Later in the day, Nobel laureates reinforced the call for a peaceful and just world through a Peace Charter – 'A Love Letter to Humanity' – which will be presented to the United Nations, said Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala, Chairman of the I am Peacekeeper Movement, the organisers of the Summit. Charter calls for justice, equality, and human dignity The joint Peace Charter said in its preamble: 'Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, love, and peace, commit to upholding the principles that foster harmony, progress, and human equality for all. We believe that true peace can only thrive when guided by fairness, open dialogue, and unwavering dedication to justice, love, and freedom.' Twelve Nobel laureates sign historic peace pledge The 12 Nobel laureates who took the historic peace pledge included: Abdesattar Ben Moussa (Tunisia, 2015) Houcine Abbasi (Tunisia, 2015) Jose Manuel Ramos Horta (East Timor, 1996) Kailash Satyarthi (India, 2014) Lech Walesa (Poland, 1983) Leymah Gbowee (Liberia, 2011) Mohamed Fadhel Mahfoudh (Tunisia, 2015) Prof. Mohan Munasinghe (Sri Lanka, 2007) Nadia Murad (Iraq, 2018) Oscar Arias Sanchez (Costa Rica, 1987) Ouided Bouchamaoui (Tunisia, 2015) Dr. Shirin Ebadi (Iran, 2003) Upholding fundamental human values The Peace Charter reinforced the importance of justice, equality, fairness, open dialogue, knowledge, the right to education and dignity, leadership, compassion, and action. Foundations of inner peace The charter also emphasised the need to foster the seven human values of: Gratitude, Forgiveness, Love, Humility, Giving, Patience, and Truth, describing them as the foundation of inner peace .
