ID :
18605
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 15:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/18605
The shortlink copeid
WALK FOR GLOBAL PEACE (In conjunction with the International Peace Day on Sept 21) By Melati Mohd Ariff
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) - On Sept 8 in 2001, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had passed Resolution 55/282 that declared Sept 21 as the International Day of Peace.
To commemorate this day, ex-servicemen worldwide would take part in an
event named 'Walk for Peace'.
This year, some one million former servicemen worldwide are expected to
take part in this event, organised by the World Veteran Federation
(WVF).
WVF is an international body comprising 175 ex-servicemen organisations
from 90 nations. It is a non-governmental organisation that has consultative
status with the United Nations.
This federation that represents the interest of more than 25 million former
soldiers worldwide has a Malaysian as its president, Lt Kol (Rtd) Datuk Abdul
Hamid Ibrahim.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MALAYSIA
Malaysia would be holding its inaugural 'Walk For Peace' on this Sept
21, to be staged at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala
Lumpur.
It is the effort of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans' Council (MAVTM)
with the collaboration of Friends To Mankind.
Organising committee chairman, Maj Jen (Rtd) Khairuddin Abu Bakar
told Bernama that about 3,500 participants including former servicemen would be
taking part in the event.
Among the Malaysian armed forces veterans' organisations that have
confirmed participation are the MVATM, Royal Malay Regiment Officers Club,
Malaysian Commando Veterans Club, Malaysian Intelligence Corps Veteran Club,
Ex-Malaysian Military Police Association, Ex-Services Association of Malaysia
and Ex-British Army Club of Malaysia.
Apart from Friends to Mankind, the other NGOs participating in this event
are Seniman Malaysia, Salam Foundation, Aman Malaysia, Malaysian Indians
Cultural Foundation and Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association as well as
several schools.
As this year's event will be held during the fasting month of Ramadan,
Khairuddin said all activities are to be held at the Dewan Merdeka in
PWTC.
Among in the list of itinerary are the recital of the Message of Peace from
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the performance of the song
'Hari Yang Aman'(Day of Peace) specially composed by Khir Rahman and his wife
Siti Jasmina Ibrahim.
At the stroke of noon, simultaneously with the other similar events held
worldwide, a one-minute silence would be observed.
OBJECTIVES
Khairuddin said the organiser hoped that the 'Walk for Peace' would create
public awareness that peace is priceless for mankind.
"Via this event, we wish to create interaction that will bring out the love
for unity and peace among Malaysians of various ethnic groups.
"Unity is hand in hand with peace. We should refrain from creating racial
issues as this creates tension among us.
"If all quarters maintain unity and are respectful of each other, the
nation would continue to enjoy peace and security," said Khairuddin who had
served with the Malaysian Battalion (MalBat) in Somalia in 1995.
APPRECIATE PEACE
During his six months tour of duty in Somalia, Khairuddin had witnessed the
massive destruction of properties and sufferings of people in this war-torn
country.
Khairuddin could still remember clearly the poignant and heart-wrenching
faces of the child-carrying Somali women who came to beg for food at the camp
where he was based.
"The crops were devastated, residences destroyed, there was nothing left.
The people suffered, children were not schooling and the economy was
shattered," he said.
Khairuddin also recalled seeing children loitering around and sleeping at
the railway station while he was attending a course in India in the early
1980s.
"During a train trip from New Delhi to Srinagar, what wrenched my heart was
when I threw out a piece of dried capati outside, people including children
were scrambling for that piece of food. I can never forget such
experience.
"I hope Malaysians are aware the high price to achieve peace and
prosperity. They should do away with trivial matters," said Khairuddin.
EDUCATING THE CHILDREN
Khairuddin is hoping that the participation of school children in the 'Walk
for Peace' would nurture the love for peace and unity among them.
A believer in the 'start them young' concept, Khairuddin said the
youngsters should be taught to live in harmony with everybody, regardless of
their respective race.
In conjunction with the 'Walk for Peace', an exhibition on war-caused
sufferings and destruction would also be staged at the PWTC.
Meanwhile, Friends to Mankind vice-president Yasotha Kishna said the NGO
supported MVATM's move to organise the 'Walk for Peace' event as both
organisations propagate peace as the objective.
However such efforts should be shouldered by all, and not only confined
to groups or associations.
"Each individual has a responsibility towards peace. It is not just a group
or association to carry the burden, all must play a part for this calling for
peace.
"One of the principles of Friends to Mankind is in considering you consider
another. When this principle is lived, then in whatever you do, you will
consider another," said Yasotha who is hoping that more would join the 'Walk
for Peace' event.
Those who are interested to participate in the event can forward their
enquiries and registration at the MVATM, ATM Public Affairs Department, Defence
Ministry, Menara TH Perdana,Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman or call 03-4297 1743 or
visit www.mvatm.org.
Participation is free of charge.
To commemorate this day, ex-servicemen worldwide would take part in an
event named 'Walk for Peace'.
This year, some one million former servicemen worldwide are expected to
take part in this event, organised by the World Veteran Federation
(WVF).
WVF is an international body comprising 175 ex-servicemen organisations
from 90 nations. It is a non-governmental organisation that has consultative
status with the United Nations.
This federation that represents the interest of more than 25 million former
soldiers worldwide has a Malaysian as its president, Lt Kol (Rtd) Datuk Abdul
Hamid Ibrahim.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MALAYSIA
Malaysia would be holding its inaugural 'Walk For Peace' on this Sept
21, to be staged at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala
Lumpur.
It is the effort of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans' Council (MAVTM)
with the collaboration of Friends To Mankind.
Organising committee chairman, Maj Jen (Rtd) Khairuddin Abu Bakar
told Bernama that about 3,500 participants including former servicemen would be
taking part in the event.
Among the Malaysian armed forces veterans' organisations that have
confirmed participation are the MVATM, Royal Malay Regiment Officers Club,
Malaysian Commando Veterans Club, Malaysian Intelligence Corps Veteran Club,
Ex-Malaysian Military Police Association, Ex-Services Association of Malaysia
and Ex-British Army Club of Malaysia.
Apart from Friends to Mankind, the other NGOs participating in this event
are Seniman Malaysia, Salam Foundation, Aman Malaysia, Malaysian Indians
Cultural Foundation and Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association as well as
several schools.
As this year's event will be held during the fasting month of Ramadan,
Khairuddin said all activities are to be held at the Dewan Merdeka in
PWTC.
Among in the list of itinerary are the recital of the Message of Peace from
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the performance of the song
'Hari Yang Aman'(Day of Peace) specially composed by Khir Rahman and his wife
Siti Jasmina Ibrahim.
At the stroke of noon, simultaneously with the other similar events held
worldwide, a one-minute silence would be observed.
OBJECTIVES
Khairuddin said the organiser hoped that the 'Walk for Peace' would create
public awareness that peace is priceless for mankind.
"Via this event, we wish to create interaction that will bring out the love
for unity and peace among Malaysians of various ethnic groups.
"Unity is hand in hand with peace. We should refrain from creating racial
issues as this creates tension among us.
"If all quarters maintain unity and are respectful of each other, the
nation would continue to enjoy peace and security," said Khairuddin who had
served with the Malaysian Battalion (MalBat) in Somalia in 1995.
APPRECIATE PEACE
During his six months tour of duty in Somalia, Khairuddin had witnessed the
massive destruction of properties and sufferings of people in this war-torn
country.
Khairuddin could still remember clearly the poignant and heart-wrenching
faces of the child-carrying Somali women who came to beg for food at the camp
where he was based.
"The crops were devastated, residences destroyed, there was nothing left.
The people suffered, children were not schooling and the economy was
shattered," he said.
Khairuddin also recalled seeing children loitering around and sleeping at
the railway station while he was attending a course in India in the early
1980s.
"During a train trip from New Delhi to Srinagar, what wrenched my heart was
when I threw out a piece of dried capati outside, people including children
were scrambling for that piece of food. I can never forget such
experience.
"I hope Malaysians are aware the high price to achieve peace and
prosperity. They should do away with trivial matters," said Khairuddin.
EDUCATING THE CHILDREN
Khairuddin is hoping that the participation of school children in the 'Walk
for Peace' would nurture the love for peace and unity among them.
A believer in the 'start them young' concept, Khairuddin said the
youngsters should be taught to live in harmony with everybody, regardless of
their respective race.
In conjunction with the 'Walk for Peace', an exhibition on war-caused
sufferings and destruction would also be staged at the PWTC.
Meanwhile, Friends to Mankind vice-president Yasotha Kishna said the NGO
supported MVATM's move to organise the 'Walk for Peace' event as both
organisations propagate peace as the objective.
However such efforts should be shouldered by all, and not only confined
to groups or associations.
"Each individual has a responsibility towards peace. It is not just a group
or association to carry the burden, all must play a part for this calling for
peace.
"One of the principles of Friends to Mankind is in considering you consider
another. When this principle is lived, then in whatever you do, you will
consider another," said Yasotha who is hoping that more would join the 'Walk
for Peace' event.
Those who are interested to participate in the event can forward their
enquiries and registration at the MVATM, ATM Public Affairs Department, Defence
Ministry, Menara TH Perdana,Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman or call 03-4297 1743 or
visit www.mvatm.org.
Participation is free of charge.
