UPF UK: Reflection on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People — Tageldin Ibrahim Hamad

Bridging Communities: A Universal Peace Federation Reflection on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Each year on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People invites the global community to reflect on the human impact of conflict and the shared aspiration for dignity, security, and coexistence. For the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), this day is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to constructive engagement, respect for all faith traditions, and the search for a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side with mutual recognition and safety.

UPF has long invested in creating genuine spaces for interfaith understanding, including efforts that brought Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders together in moments of shared reflection. This includes the Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) in the early 2000s. Leaders of the Abrahamic traditions visited Jerusalem to reflect together on their shared heritage and responsibilities for peace, as well as UPF’s Forum on Abrahamic Traditions, which highlighted the ethical foundations linking Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. UPF’s Middle East Peace Initiative has consistently emphasized a simple but essential conviction: communities flourish when they are able to see one another not as adversaries, but as neighbors with histories, hopes, and identities worthy of respect. (Photo of UPF MEPI delegation meeting Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority with the then Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, Bishop Riah Abu El Assal)

This approach is also reflected in UPF’s long-standing friendship with leaders of the Muslim world. In December 2001, our federation helped convene the Summit of World Muslim Leaders in Jakarta, bringing together more than fifty nations to discuss the future of Islam and the responsibilities of global citizenship chaired by former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid. The following year, in August 2002, a second summit took place in London. These gatherings affirmed Islam’s contributions to global peace and highlighted the importance of cooperation with Jewish and Christian communities. They continue to stand as examples of UPF’s respect for Islam and our determination to foster sincere dialogue among all peoples.

In the spirit of this history, UPF founders, Dr. Hak Ja Han and her late husband Dr. Sun Myung Moon, emphasized that solidarity must include the pursuit of practical conditions for peace. We encourage renewed efforts toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive settlement, including progress consistent with relevant United Nations resolutions and the principles of international humanitarian law. This also means supporting initiatives that strengthen local communities, including access to education, protection of civilians, and development strategies that offer young people on both sides opportunities to build stable and fulfilling lives.

Our outlook is guided by the principle of One Family under God, which calls us to see the Middle East not as a landscape of division, but as a region whose peoples, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and others, have deep and interconnected histories. As we observe this day, UPF expresses respect for all families affected by the conflict and reaffirms its readiness to work with leaders, civil society, and faith communities to advance pathways of dialogue and cooperation.

Dr. Tageldin I. Hamad, Chairman, Universal Peace Federation International

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Definition and Criteria Launched in 2001, Ambassadors for Peace is the largest and most diverse network of peace leaders. As of 2020, there are more

than 100,000 Ambassadors for Peace from 160 countries who come from all walks of life representing many races, religions,

nationalities, and cultures, and commit to:

• Stand on the common ground of universal moral principles, promoting reconciliation , overcoming barriers, and building peace.

• Form a global network representing the diversity of the human family and all disciplines of endeavor.

• Promote cooperation beyond boundaries of religion , race, ethnicity, and nationality.

• Practice “living for the sake of others” as the guiding principle for building a global community.

Below are just a few of our awardees, please click on the images to expand them:

Qua Iifications Below are our criteria for nominating Ambassadors for Peace:

- Recommendation by a Senior Member of UPF or an organization affiliated with UPF.

- It is recommended that a prospective Ambassador for Peace takes time to become familiar with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and actively engages with its activities. Similarly, UPF should have the opportunity to get to know the nominee over several months before confirming their appointment as an Ambassador for Peace.

Principles - We are one human family created by God. The way to rise

above the oursuit of self-interest is to recoanize our common

humanity, given to us by our Creator. Just as a parent can

intercede in the disputes of children, the parental heart

originating from the Creator can help us resolve the

differences that exist between nations, cultures and

- The highest qualities of the human being are spiritual and

moral in nature. Human beings long for truth, beauty and

goodness. Life’s deepest meaning and purpose can be

found through their pursuit. Each person has an eternal spirit

that transcends physical life. Spiritual principles are to be

practiced in this life so that we are prepared for the eternal

• The family is the “school of love and peace.” In the family, the most basic personal and public virtues are learned.

Understanding the family as the school of love helps us to recognize that family is the most essential institution. The foundation

for a healthy family is a faithful, committed marriage.

• Living for the sake of others is the way to reconcile the divided human family. By practicing living for the sake of others , we

become other-centered rather than self-centered. The essence of good character is true love expressed through unselfish

• Peace comes through cooperation beyond the boundaries of ethnicity, religion and nationality. Lasting peace cannot be

achieved through political compromise alone, but requires addressing the root causes of conflict. Transcending racial, religious

and ethnic barriers is an imperative of our time. Faith can give people the power to forgive, and the love to overcome even

generations of hatred, resentment and violence.

You can apply to become an Ambassador for Peace and enrol in one of our Seminars which outline the vision of UPF’s Founders and the role of Peace Ambassadors.

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