London, UK - Unificationists and UPF Ambassadors for Peace alike shared how they had been touched by the life of Father Sun Myung Moon in a September 30 Memorial Service in a London venue where he had spoken more than 35 years before. Six hundred people gathered to celebrate the life of Father Moon. Sister Elizabeth O'Donohoe, who has been working with the very inclusive interfaith activity of Westminster Interfaith, said, 'I have been impressed by the inclusive nature of Universal Peace Federation interfaith activity.' (Photo Link)
Video messages by Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Virendra Sharma MP and Keith Bennett, a business consultant for North Korea and China drew from different initiatives of the Unification Movement. Keith Bennett shared his insight that the friendship of the Kim and Moon families would be highly significant for peace on the Korean peninsula. The video of the speech by Lord King of West Bromwich, UPF-UK Patron, at the memorial ceremony in Korea brought spontaneous applause from the audience for its warmth and insight into the role of Father and Mother Moon.
Pastor of the Bromley Unificationist community, Matthew Huish, shared that he was the fruit of the genius of Father Moon. Without Father Moon's introduction of his parents to each other, he would never have been born. He cannot be but grateful for all the effort of Father Moon to train and then prepare his parents for marriage despite their different natures and backgrounds.
In addition to the explanations of Unificationists and their testimonies of their insight into Father Moon's life, the non-Unificationists added a different quality of perception usually from their faith backgrounds.
Mr. Kuldip Singh Ubhi shared how impressed he had been by the spirituality of the prayer room in Cheong Pyeong, a Unificationist facility to the northeast of Seoul where the Founder is now interred.
Mrs. Frederike Rice expressed how moved she had been as a long-time United Nations Association member that Father Moon's vision for the reform of the UN included a proposal for an interreligious council at the UN.
Khadija Hussein, founder and leader of Sudanese Mothers for Peace, commented, 'I had the honor of meeting Father Moon at an interfaith workshop in the New Yorker Hotel for 40 days. I was inspired by Father Moon's values and systems and principles. This opened a better way for me for my work of peace in Sudan. He will be living in our hearts forever. I was deeply moved by this afternoon's Memorial Service.'
Prof. Natubhai Shah, a leader of the UK Jain Movement, said, 'Rev. Moon is a remarkable person who worked for family values and global peace. He will be remembered for his zeal, passion and his contribution for interfaith, international work, and bringing people together of diverse communities. I was moved very much by his Memorial Service.'
Dr Naznin Hirji, from the Ismaili community, shared, 'I feel very emotional looking at this audience seeing people of all cultures and backgrounds, and this work of Father Moon alone moves me very much.'
Edwin Shuker of the World Sephardic Council, spoke of his pride in the 'Ambassador for Peace' award presented to him by UPF. He shared that the march of hundreds of Christians, Muslims and Jews through the streets of Jerusalem, on the way to visit the holy sites of the three faiths together, had been an unforgettable experience for him. He recited one of the psalms of King David typically remembered during this time of year in the Jewish calendar that he also found suitable for the occasion.
There were several moving items in the Memorial Service for Father Moon. One such moment was Mrs. Sudesh Sharma describing her relationship with the Unification Movement as one of her Dad's last gifts to her. Her Dad, the late Mr. O.P. Sharma OBE, did so much to help overcome the injustice towards Father Moon in the UK. Sudesh offered a Hindu prayer in honor of Father Moon.
Patti Boulaye delayed her travel overseas to attend and sing at the Memorial Service. She recalled singing for Father and Mother Moon in Abuja, Nigeria last year after Father Moon had given a long speech. She sang 'Amazing Grace' and 'Abide With Me,' touching the hearts of all those present.
Prof. Ian Hall, President of the Inter-Religious International Federation for World Peace-UK from 2001 to 2005 (the organization that preceded the Universal Peace Federation), made his return after a long break. He challenged and guided the audience to offer three cheers for Father Moon and all his accomplishments. He read a passage epitomising the interracial inclusivity of the Unification Movement.
One Christian minister came from Nigeria to London to attend the Memorial Service. Dr. Iftikhar Ayaz said, 'The world has lost a beacon of peace and unification of entire humanity. We must remain united to continue to strive to carry on his Mission.'
An academic expert on the Unification Movement from the University of Wales, Trinity St David, Dr Sarah Lewis, said 'I'm so glad I came. It felt like a family gathering, although there were hundreds of people. When I think of Rev. Moon and that he's not with us, tears come to my eyes.'
Transcript of video message from Keith Bennett:
Father Moon was a truly unique figure, who has left his mark on the world, on history and on the future, through his more than nine decades of service and sacrifice, based on living for the sake of others as a peace-loving global citizen. Father Moon's work and example touched all continents and countries and there are so many people better qualified than myself to reflect on different aspects of his unique contribution. However, Father Moon's teachings of peace, reconciliation and love are nowhere more relevant and needed than in his own beloved home country of Korea.
Father Moon felt the acute pain and agony of the divided Korean people every day of his life on this earth and in every fibre of his being. What he did to help resolve this needed courage, vision and wisdom. These he possessed in great measure.
When Father Moon ventured to Pyongyang and met with President Kim Il Sung, he amazed the world and changed the course of history. All subsequent positive steps that have occurred on the Korean peninsula, every ray of hope, has its genesis in Father's brave steps more than two decades ago. On my own numerous visits to North Korea, I have seen ample evidence of the fruits harvested by Father's work and that of the Unification movement, from the cars assembled, to the hotels renovated, to the buildings and facilities constructed, but above all in the appreciation and love felt by people in North Korea from many walks of life for Father Moon, for Mother, for the members of the family and for the Unification movement.
One might say that in the friendship that has now been established between the Moon and Kim families over generations we see in microcosm the future unity not only of the Korean people but of a single human family. For this, and for so much else, I bow in humble reverence before Father Moon.