The Global Peace Project held in Netherlands today brought together Interfaith Leaders from across the world, especially from the Netherlands and India, for world peace and water.
The main purpose of the conference was to cultivate and nurture an antidote to violence and cultivate the human spirit by pursuing loving-kindness for all beings irrespective of race, national origin, gender or religion. It sought to promote greater levels of cooperation amongst peoples and nations in recognition of the fact that national economies in our globalised world are inextricably interdependent and are best served through cooperation rather than pure self interest.
The summit also will support measures that protect all living beings and promote international agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals, already agreed by most nations, that includes protection of the climate and the elimination of poverty and the elimination of nuclear weapons. The high level interfaith leaders pledged to continue to engage and expand their efforts to eliminate suffering such as addressing income inequality and the lack of fresh drinking water in order to fight poverty.
Key speakers during the conference were:
· HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), Co-Founder of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance
· Pir Shabda Kahn, Sufi Ruhaniat International U.S.A.
· Jonathan Granoff, President Global Security Council
· Imam Ahmed Umer Ilyasiji, President of All India Imam Organisation
· Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, Chairman GNNSJ
· Syed Salman Chishty, Chishty Foundation India
· Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, President of Divine Shakti Foundation
· Murshid Karimbakhsh Witteveen, Netherlands
· Henk Ketelaars, water expert
· Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, Greenland
· Sheikh Tijani Ben Omar, Ghana
· the event is being organized by Brigitte Van Buren of the Netherlands
· the Foreign Minister and Senior Officials from the Dutch Government as well as many other leaders from many different countries will participate in the two day conference
The conference was inaugurated today by lighting a lamp from the flame at the International Peace Palace in the Hague and using that to light lamps representing all the different religious of the world.
The religious leaders came together to light the lamp at the Peace Palace and then carried forth a rally through the streets around the Hague, spreading the message of peace, oneness and interfaith harmony.
In discussion with the interfaith leaders prior to the beginning of the two day conference, Pujya Swamiji shared, "It is time that light of peace, love, compassion and oneness should be lit both outside of us but also within each one of us. In this way we each be the flames of peace, compassion and service in our communities and congregations. The time has come for us to show the power of oneness and love to solve the biggest challenges our world is facing today because together we are the solution."
Sadhvi Bhagawatiji emphasized the importance of spirituality in ending violence. "Only deep spirituality is the answer to sustainable peace. Violence and terrorism can never bring peace. We must find peace within ourselves and then share that with the world. When we hold each other's hand and heart, the ripples are felt across the world."
