Universal Peace Federation, United Kingdom Official

Children's Relief Bethlehem - Daniel Hurter

Bethlehem Baby Hospital Caritas Baby Hospital, Bethlehem has long been a favourite place for the Universal Peace Federation’s Middle East Peace Initiative to visit. On Thursday April 15th there was an appeal made by Daniel Hurter and Andreas Bachofner of Children’s Relief Bethlehem UK during the Joint Faiths' Celebration.

Daniel Hurter introduced a heartwarming 7 minute video of the work of Children’s Relief Bethlehem which finances and manages the Caritas Baby Hospital. (This can be seen by the video link. For further information please see link.) They provide medical care for all children regardless of race, religion or ability to pay, together with health education and other projects to benefit families in this troubled region of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

For more information please visit www.childrens-relief-bethlehem.org.uk
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Joint Faiths Celebration -‘Mawlid An-Nabi (Birth of Prophet Mohammed), Pesach (Passover), Easter And Vaisakhi’

Joint Faiths Celebration audience April 15th 2010 The Joint Faith’s Celebration was a accumulation of sharing, talk, reading, food, music and drama highlighting the significance of ‘Mawlid An-Nabi (Birth of Prophet Mohammed), Pesach (Passover), Easter And Vaisakhi’. Around the sharing of these precious faiths’ holy events there were many significant meetings among the 80 plus people gathered, including interfaith figures such as Rev. Dr Marcus Braybrooke, President of the World Congress of Faiths, Community Cohesion figures such as Dr Husna Ahmad, CEO, Faith Regen Foundation, Marilyn Brummer of the League of Jewish Women and humanitarian influential figures such as Dr Saif Ahmad, (MADE in Europe), Dr Hojjat Ramzy, Proprietor of the Iqra Girls’ School in Oxford and a presentation by Daniel Hurter about Children’s Relief Bethlehem. Photo Link

World Minorities Alliance launched in UK

UPF-UK Secretary General Robin Marsh addressing World Minorities Alliance UK Launch Universal Peace Federation (UPF) - UK Secretary General, Robin Marsh, was invited to address the UK launch of the World Minorities Alliance. It is a laudable initiative of Mr Julius Salik in Pakistan and supported by UPF Pakistan branch. The initiative shares much in common with UPF's vison of humankind being 'one family under God' in which all people have equal value irrespective of where they are born. Marsh emphasised the founding purpose of UPF to create an Inter-religious Council in the United Nations that would enhance inter-religious and inter-cultural understanding and peaceful relations. He also congratulated Pakistan for its wisdom in co-sponsoring the UN Resolution with the Philippines to establish a unit within the UN Secretariat to promote Interfaith Dialogue. Pakistan Times' UK Bureau article of event link here.

Mysticism as Doctrine & Experience: Prof. Karel Werner

Prof Karel Werner speaking

Prof. Karel Werner of SOAS, Religious studies Department, University of London, reviewed the history of Mysticism contrasting paths of doctrinal belief and ecstatic mystical union. His statement that ‘belief in doctrine was childish’ caused some discussion. He compared also the experience of interfaith dialogue and relationships today with the communities of mystics who have appeared throughout history. He added that the backlash against those who transcended their belief to enter an ecstatic, mystical oneness has also been a common historical theme.

In Memoriam: Abel T. Muzorewa

Bishop Abel Muzorewa

Harare, Zimbabwe - The first black prime minister of an interim white-dominated government before Zimbabwe's independence, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, died at his Harare home on April 8. He was 85.

A Methodist bishop, Muzorewa joined the government of the short-lived Zimbabwe-Rhodesia in a deal with Ian Smith, the last white prime minister, in 1978, two years ahead of the first all race elections that swept President Robert Mugabe to power and dropped the name of Rhodesia, as the former British colony was known. He was granted peace awards by both Pope John II and the United Nations in the 1970s for his efforts to liberate his country from the United Kingdom. Bishop Muzorewa was a member of UPF's Presiding Council.

Bristol UPF Interfaith Meeting

Bristol Bridge of Peace event for Brothers

This is one of our regular interfaith meetings where people can get together and learn about different Saints and their works. Starting with interfaith prayers from Christian, Hindu and Muslim, all the prayers had beautiful sounds. Particularly, Dr Krishna from the Hindu religion said prayers from the Qur’an which sounded so spiritual and enchanted. Report by Tomoko Harris (UPF Bristol).