World Interfaith Harmony Week and Anti-Radicalisation - London, United Kingdom

U niversal Peace Federation is very keen to support the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) annual event because it has been a strong promoter of interfaith to defuse radicalisation. UPF has been an international supporter of the initiative from its inception in October 2010. There are several clips of the WIHW commemoration in the misleading the reality. It is oriented to United Nations in the UPF introduction destroy religion and structure of video which was shown during the political power. Further he mentioned programme. (Photo Dr Afzal Ashraf) the importance of liberty and how we Dr Hojjat Ramzy: Oxford Islamic cannot achieve liberty without violence. as he pointed out to be a useful tool to According to the history, people always Information Centre, Muslim Council bring more tolerance and peace into the ofRemzije DuliJon Dal Din Britain, been fighting to achieve peace and society. Another point, Rev. Jon Dal freedom in the society. National Council Member. Dr. Ramzy Din made that each of us have talked about the important role of fundamental goodness within us and Watch Video Here religious interfaith, which provides a that is important to nourish and develop Remzije Duli: project co-leader for the platform for people to come together to it by helping in a community and/or British Albanian Kosovar Council, share about their different believes. support charities. which runs the cross-cultural family Next important point was made by Dr. learning programme Strengthening Ramzy about respecting each other as a Watch Video Here Families, Strengthening Communities, human being. In today’s society people Dr Afzal Ashraf: a consultant fellow at and undertakes youth work with the often forget that fundamentally we are the Royal United Services Institute children of the families who participate. all equals and therefore just to give (RUSI). He was a senior officer in the Mrs. Duli outlined the situation in respect to one another leads to a RAF and worked as counterterrorism Kosovo and what needs to be done to harmonious society. and counterinsurgency strategist for the raise the living conditions.Additionally Watch Video Here US commanding general and US she provided details about her project Rev. Jon Dal Din: Director of ambassador in Iraq as well as head of in Kosovo as how it helps to improve Westminster Interfaith, since 2008, For political military section in the Foreign stability in families with different further information. Rev. Jon Dal Din and Commonwealth Office. Dr. Ashraf culture, religion and race and what emphasised the importance of prayer, pointed out the influence of mass media action steps are taken to help those and publicity, which is often a case of families to overcome those challenges. Watch Video Here

Evening with Farrukh Dhondy and Matteo Bergamini London, United Kingdom, February 19, 2017

By Robin Marsh

F arrukh Dhondy and Matteo Bergamini were interviewed in the latest of the ‘Evening With’ series of inspirational interviews. Gul Khan, of the All Ladies League - London, interviewed Farrukh Dhon-dy, former Commissioning Editor of Channel 4 and Matteo Bergamini, Shout Out UK founder, was interviewed by Quince Garcia of Roadworks Media. The event was a partnership between All La-dies League and the Universal Peace Federation. While Farrukh Dhondy spoke of his desire to promote free speech and Matteo Bergamini and Farrukh Dhondy human rights of the under-privileged, Matteo Bergamini explained his He is also a columnist, a biographer (of in Britain, 1900-1990exhibition, British passion for youth political engagement, C. L. R. James; 2001), and media and Council’s Literature Department, 1990. general political literacy and cutting executive (Channel Four - Whitbread Award for first novel, edge documentaries such as Shout Out Commissioning Editor 1984–97). Dur- 1990, for Bombay Duck. UK’s documentary on the growing un- ing his time with Channel Four, he Matteo Bergamini completed his derground movement, ‘Annonymous’. wrote the comedy series Tandoori undergraduate degree in Politics & Watch Video here Nights (1985–87) for the channel, History at the UNIVERSITY OF which concerned the rivalry of two BRUNEL in 2014 and a Graduate Farrukh Dhondy is an Indian-born curry house owners. British writer, playwright, screenwriter diploma in Law in 2015. During this and left-wing activist of Parsi descent, Awards: Children’s Rights Workshop time, he launched his own multi-media who resides in the United Kingdom. He Other award: 1977, for East End at network called SHOUT OUT UK. is well known not only for his writing, Your Feet, and 1979, for Come to During 2015, Bergamini launched his but also for his film and TV work. Mecca, and Other Stories. - first investigative documentary Collins/Fontana Award for Come to ‘Anonymous: A Million Men’. The Dhondy’s literary output is vast, Mecca, and Other Stories. - Received including books for children, textbooks documentary includes interviews with the Samuel Beckett Award for the Russel Brand, Conservative MP Chloe and biographies, as well as plays for television play Romance, Romance. - theatre and scripts film and television. Smith and the secretive organisers of Works represented in Children’s Fiction the Million Mask March itself. The film

was later acquired by Shorts Interna- His journalist experiences expanded from As a young person, passionate about tional for worldwide distribution. the corridors of Westminster to the steps of politics, I realised that there is not On the 28th April 2015, in collaboration the US Embassy, where he did a full 45- enough political engagement amongst with Channel 4 and ITN, Shout Out UK, minute interview with the then young people nowadays. I decided to launched Britain’s first ever Youth Ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun. introduce political debates at schools Leaders’ Debate. The event gathered 7 In May 2015, he was invited to become an and try to encourage young people to leaders of the seven largest British parties’ ESRC Knowledge Exchange Fellow. In get involved in politics and political youth wings to debate on political issues. March 2016, he was declared the winner literacy. These debates enhance basic After 10 minutes Youth Leaders was of the Harrow Business Den 2016. In 2016 understanding of political concepts and trending in the top six on twitter. he launched a Political Literacy Course in encourage people to become actively a growing number of schools, accredited involved in their communities. by AQA, as part of Shout Out UK.

Syrian Refugees Visit to UPF London, United Kingdom, February 19, 2017 By Daniel Lajda

F or over a year now we have heard much about Syrian refugees, their suffering and amazing journeys; some at the risk of their lives and others losing their lives on the way to Europe. We saw devastating pictures of unaccompanied, lonely children whose parents could not make it! We have always been wondering “what it is like for the children, young couples, teenagers, and larger families to be uprooted from their homes?” and then coming to a completely different and unusual milieu in Europe and now England. Most young people cannot speak English. Besides their normal suffering, they are missing their food and culture and their own homes. Therefore, it was an amazing who helped from beginning to end; who took such good care of the young opportunity for Universal Peace Natasa, Karla and Irene who attended unaccompanied teenagers in the Calais Federation (UPF), with our friends and and brought lots of refreshments; and refugee camp, whom were leaving in Ambassadors of Peace, to welcome Hasina who contributed to the food. inhumane circumstances. He too over 70 Syrian refugees to 43 Lancaster received and Ambassador for Peace Gate; our UPF headquarters in the UK. For me, personally, the most touching moments was to see professional Award. As a welcome gift families The refugees were of differing were presented with a small box of backgrounds, ages and family drummers (Arab drums DERBAKE) perform and they had extra drums for chocolates. Sheikh Ramzy of Oxford circumstances. The actual concept Islamic Centre and Mr. Khokhar of developed when Margaret and a few children to join in. It created a joyful atmosphere and soon after a group of Muslim Aid also distributed some gifts Ambassadors of Peace went to visit to the children. Barnett Refugee Centre and met young people decided to dance a directors and some Syrian refugees and folkloric dance called DABKE, which At the beginning, we felt lost; we didn’t wondered of how we can help the was so beautiful and lots of people know exactly what must be done to refugees in some way and that is how were pulled in to dance. A friend told make everyone feel welcomed, and yet the idea of welcoming the refugees me how heartwarming it was to see looking back that is what we achieved. developed. them filled with joy and hope; so For the finale, we cut and shared a naturally feeling at home and at peace. custom made “welcome to London” We are extremely grateful to all our I am sure that our Arabic speaking cake, a simple activity that pulled Ambassadors of Peace and friends who Ambassadors of Peace helped them to everyone even closer. attended as well as gave financial feel at home. contributions, which helped us to We said goodbye, but with the intention organise a most wonderful Middle We were very grateful to Dr. Nazi of seeing each other again. Many Eastern dinner and provide great Akbar who is the director of the refugee Ambassadors for Peace, and UPF are hospitality. There are many people to centre at Barnett and Farida who is one developing ideas for further interaction. thank amongst our Ambassadors for of the most dedicated representatives at Presently, we have accepted a recent Peace and I’m sure they know who they the refugee centre and put in a lot of invitation from the Barnett refugee are. However, I would like to mention effort to bring the refugees. Both ladies centre to collaborate again for the the special contribution of some UPF were presented by UPF an Ambassador upcoming EID party (in a few months) young achievers: Hannah, Daniela (and for Peace Award for their tremendous and both of us are looking forward to it; her sister too), Dominic and Matteo work. There was also a young father we cannot wait!