Consultation on the Inter-Religious Council at the UN

Boothroyd Room

UK House of Commons

August 31^st, 2010

The initiative of the Inter-Religious Council (IRC) at the United Nations, initiated by Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon as the founding purpose of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), was yesterday emphasised by his son and successor, Rev. Dr. Hyung Jin Moon, the International Chairman of UPF, in the House of Commons’ Boothroyd room. The Harvard Divinity graduate, Rev. Moon, gave the keynote address commenting on the heritage of the Inter-Religious Council within the UK.

‘I am reminded that the first General Assembly of the United Nations was convened here in London, in 1946, at the Central Hall of the Methodist Church. I also note that the first meeting of the British parliament took place in Westminster Abbey. I believe England has always understood the necessary link between spiritual principles and values, on the one hand, and the public sphere of social, political and economic institutions, on the other hand.’

‘In his message at the United Nations in the year 2000, Father Moon explained that the UN would not be able to fulfil its mission without creating a council that would uphold the spiritual wisdom and heritage of humanity, representing God’s guidance for all of us.’ (for full speech link here)

From campaigners against child soldiers in Africa to those who were battling gang violence on the streets of London or environment clean up service projects, the common theme of the Youth Achievement Awards event in the House of Lords Committee Room on Wednesday 14^th of July was exemplary young people who, as Tom Brake MP commented, had ‘got off their butts and in some cases had put their life on the line to make a difference’

Lord King of West Bromwich, who as a Patron of the Universal Peace Federation was hosting the event, added that this was one of the most enjoyable and meaningful afternoons he had spent in the House of Lords listening to the testimonies of young future leaders speak about their activities.

‘Muslims were also victims of what followed 7/7. Again and again in the book there are examples of utterly decent, patriotic, and law-abiding citizens who were abused, spat at and seen as the perpetrators themselves.’ Peter Oborne said last night in a book launch in the House of Lords of the book ‘7/7 Muslim Perspectives’, compiled by Murtaza Shibli.

Peter Oborne, the conservative commentator, writer and broadcaster continued, ‘The book serves a very important purpose. There has been a failure in public discourse since 7/7. Very understandably in many ways, the discourse concentrated on the innocent victims first of all. That is correct. We just prayed for them just now. The second concentrated on the terrorists themselves. One of the things that does take a lot of courage to say and seems indulgent but is very true. The third focus was the Muslim community who were also victims of what followed. All Muslims were branded as terrorists in some newspapers. We in the press bear and continue to bear a heavy responsibility for this situation. The British press’s culture of victimisation needs to be confronted.’

FIVE YEARS ON – BRITISH MUSLIMS SPEAK OUT ON IMPACT OF JULY 7 BOMBINGS

British Muslims give condolences, and provide findings for future resilience

Our first thoughts and prayers are for those remembering loved ones and friends lost or injured in the 7 July 2005 London bombings. This was the worst act of domestic terrorism Britain has ever experienced.  The shock of finding that the perpetrators were young apparently well integrated British Muslims has caused many to question the role of Muslims in the UK.

The July 7 bombings affected British Muslims in an unprecedented way as questions about their loyalty, Britishness and the nature of their  belonging in our society created endless discussion, academic research, government interventions and media speculation. 

New York, United States - Speaking at the New York City celebration of Africa Day, May 25, 2010 hosted by the African Union and the United Nations African Ambassadors' Spouses Group (UNAASG), in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that peace and sustainable development in Africa was one of the world body’s priorities, and outlined a major personal effort that will take him to the continent no less than three times in the coming month. 

Earlier, messages marking the 47th Africa Day and the 50th Anniversary of independence for 17 African nations were read on behalf of the President of the UN General Assembly by H.E. Mr. Michel Tommo Monthe, Ambassador of Cameroon, Vice-President of the General Assembly and Chair of the Africa Group for the month of May (photo below).

14^th June 2010

We held a local Women's Federation for World Peace - Universal Peace Federation event in Birmingham to recognize the United Nation's Day for Africa. Over 100 people came together, with representatives from 12 different African countries present.

Our first speaker was Rev Charles Ilunga, currently training for the Methodist ministry. He graphically described the horrors which he witnessed and experienced in Congo, and from which he and his family had to flee at barely a moments’ notice.

'We are the product of 14 1/2 billion years of evolution but the next 14 1/2 years will prove if we are viable as a species' stated Lawrence Bloom to add a sense of perspective to the World Environment Day 2010 commemoration event. Chair of the UN Environment Programme for Green Economy Initiative and World Economic Forum, Davos for Global Agenda Council on Urban Development, Bloom emphasied that we are suffering from a 'crisis of values' and that we had lost our sense of interconnectedness to each other and the world around us. Murad Qureshi AM commented that the competing models of economic and political theory that had inspired large sections of society in the past are now all being challenged in an unprecedented manner.  This included environmentalism based on neo-classical economics.