Bahais meet to promote unity, world peace
MORE unity is better than more security when it comes to world
peace. That was the message given by the Malaysian Bahai community's
World Peace Day celebrations held yesterday.
Themed "Volunteerism Towards World Peace," the community's
representative, Paul Koh said that world peace has ceased to be an
option and is now a necessity.
"Never before in the history of mankind has the need for global
peace become more crucial and pressing, as mankind now lives in a
global community. Gone are the days when he could worry only about
himself, his family and tribe.
"This is a complex problem but there is one solution and it
requires putting man in order so that we can put the world in order."
Koh said that once man is at peace with himself, his fellow men
and the community, then the whole world would achieve peace and this
calls for everyone to do their part.
The United Nation's Resident Coordinator in Malaysia, Maxine Olson
quoted UN secretary general Kofi Annan, who said that since wars
begin in the minds of man so the defence of peace must begin in the
minds of man.
She added that the recent acts of terror in New York and
Washington should result in efforts that further unite the world and
not divide it.
Olson said that shields may be able to protect individual
countries against violence and ensure peace after the attack but they
also have the effect of dividing the world.
Meanwhile, National Unity and Social Development Ministry's
Parliamentary Secretary, Datuk S Veerasingam said that Malaysia is a
shining example of unity providing peace.
In his speech, which was read by the ministry"s secretary general,
Dr P Manogran, he said the Malaysian Government has always adopted
peace initiatives among the various races as a permanent agenda in
most of its programmes.
"There are many communities with plural societies where people of
different races live together. However Malaysia is about the only one
where a diverse range of people from various religious, cultural and
ethnic backgrounds have proven that they can live in almost perfect
harmony.
"This is due to the fact that the people have accepted the reality
that peaceful co-existence is something that cannot be avoided
altogether."
He said Malaysians are also united by one national language that
has been highly instrumental in fostering a common form of
communication among the Malaysian people, but the various races are
also allowed to have their own vernacular schools, some of which are
funded by the government.
©Copyright 2001, Malay Mail (Malaysia)
|