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Peace Tour Inaugurates UPF in the United Kingdom
Saturday, November 5, 2005
 Rev. Moon speaks to the audience |
Rev. Sun Myung Moon spoke to an audience of 1,500 in London on November5 about his vision for world peace. "Humankind should end the perverse cycle of sacrificing our children's lives and squandering astronomical sums of money to fight wars," he said "the time has come for the countries of the world to pool their resources and advance toward the world of peace desired by God."
He and his wife said that they were pleased to be back in Britain together after 27 years of restrictions on their entry into the country. He came to deliver the Peace Message that is part of his global tour to launch the Universal Peace Federation.
The press quoted friends who rallied to support him of in the wake of considerable public misunderstanding:
"I can say categorically that Rev. Moon has been misunderstood by Britain," said Kailash Puri, a former BBC presenter and fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. "The activities and organizations he has started prove to me that he is a man dedicated to bringing faith communities together to reconcile. I really have a deep respect and love for Rev. and Mrs. Moon."
Rev. Dr. David Hart, an Anglican priest who helped build the first multi-faith centre at a university in England, pointed to Rev. Moon's efforts to engage with Muslim scholars and religious leaders at a time when the western world increasingly regarded Islam as a hostile religion. "He has a message for new generations who do not live any longer in the world of traditional, national and religious boundaries," Dr. Hart said.
A senior figure of the British Muslim community, Imam Abduljalil Sajid, said that he welcomed Rev. and Mrs. Moon to Britain. The Chairman of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony,said he "saluted them" for "promoting better understanding between different faiths and cultures, and serving humanity above themselves."
The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.
To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
To download a report booklet of the UPF Founders' 2005 World Peace Tour, click here.