Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Mrs. Sun Myung Moon arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 21 to deliver the peace message and was welcomed by a representative of the royal family of Ethiopia, the deputy mayor of Addis Ababa, and members of the local media.
The main event in Ethiopia was a huge success. Fourteen hundred people gathered in the beautiful ballroom at the Sheraton in Addis, perhaps the finest hotel in Africa. Those who gathered were very attentive and distinguished. There were 55 Members of Parliament, federal government ministers, religious leaders, academics, and district government ministers.
The invocation was presented by a representative of the Islamic community and a representative of the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition; following their respective prayers, they embraced, and the audience erupted in applause.
The Welcome Remarks were offered by one of Ethiopia’s most respected and well-known scholars and government advisers, Professor Kenfi Abraham, President of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development and Chief Adviser to the Intergovernmental Authority for Development.
Dr. Abraham spoke about the history of Ethiopia, its current challenges, and the need for peace, and justice as the foundation for development. He expressed his strong appreciation to Mother Moon for coming to Ethiopia, bring a much-needed message of peace. Confident, articulate and knowledgeable, he summarized the history of Ethiopia and the Region, highlighting the difficulties of the current situation, and linked human development in Ethiopia to the establishment of peace and stability, and hence the essential value and need of the message of UPF.
Following the main program, several new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed. The following are excerpts of comments by participants:
President Nigaso Gidada, former President of Ethiopia: "There is so much going on at our borders, and we need peace for development. There has been division in our own country between political parties, and within political parties and between and within ethnic groups and clans. This situation is so difficult to resolve. Some advocate peace through struggle and conflict. But of course this does not work. There are other ways and the lessons we got here is that we start with ourselves, asking 'are we at peace with God, with our environment, with our spouses and children, neighbors, ethnic groups, religions, etc.' We have to find ways to bring understanding. The conference today has contributed to our effort and long for peace here in Ethiopia. It is coming at just the right time. Those who are new to this vision should study further. In Ethiopia we do not have Christian/Muslim conflict, but other kinds of conflict are still here. Religious organizations in Ethiopia have a lot more to do to bring peace in this country."
Asefa Tombosa, Central Health College: "Peace is priceless but we cannot get it easily. This meeting gives us the lessons we need to examine ourselves, our environment. Peace begins in the mind and grows outward."
Dr. Haile, Addis Ababa University: "I have the honor of having two of my students having preceded me, Dr. Nigaso Gidada and Asefa Tombosa, for both were my students. Also I shared the table with a lady who represented the King, who was Miss Africa and 'Queen of Africa' three years ago. I also represent a local NGO, the African Peace and Conflict Management Studies. We have considered the issues of peace for a long, long time. The message of peace that was delivered today represents the dawning of an entirely new world. This type of opportunity occurs only few times for human beings and is being accompanied now by the UPF which represents the aspirations for all human beings."
Dr. Mustafa, Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement: "Sudan has war in the west and has had war in the south, even in the East. There is negotiation in Darfur area, as well as south and east. On international TV channels we see conflicts in Lebanon, Iraq, and elsewhere. The world is set on fire, so depressing. Amidst all of this when you hear someone or some organization speaking about peace and about love between all people, and between God and human beings, and breaking down barriers between all religions and nations, this is the hope we have all been looking for. This is the great hope and blessing we need. We want to maximize this message."
Ethiopia is an important nation in Africa, with a long, rich and respected history. Addis Ababa is where the headquarters of the African Union is located, and also the African base of the UN’s Economic Commission is based in Africa. As such, all the nations of Africa have Embassies and staff based in Addis. Streets are named after 54 African Nations that make up the African Union.
Ethiopia also has a significant religious heritage that includes many Ethiopian Jews, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and Islam. Significantly, Ethiopia is one of the two African nations, along with South Africa that sent troops as part of the UN Peace Force for the liberation of Korea in 1950.
To read a message delivered during the UPF peace tours click here.
