Khartoum, Sudan - The International Centre for Peace Culture was founded at a critical time in Sudan's history to promote unity and harmony within the diverse human family. On January 9, 2011 a referendum in southern Sudan will decide whether Sudan will remain a unified nation or whether the South will separate from the North.
The North is a predominantly Muslim society with Arab influence, while the south is a predominantly Christian society and traditional African culture. The country suffered from a 21-year civil war, the longest civil war in Africa. It ended five years ago with the so-called Nivasha Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
On July 24, UPF-Sudan held a symposium to support unity between North and South, since our motto as a spiritual movement is unification. More than 300 guests attended. In this symposium Dr. Adil Salman, the national leader of UPF-Sudan, served as master of ceremonies, and two of senior members, Abdelmoumin Ibrahim from the North and Alex Aciga from the South, spoke about unity and peace from the UPF point of view.
Two musical bands from North and South offered songs fro peace, unity and harmony, and a famous poet delivered a strong message of peace and freedom through his poem.
Abdelmoumin gave a speech from the UPF point of view about peace, unity within diversity, and harmony, saying that there is only one God, one truth, and one human family. He called for propagating ideas of unification, ethnic harmony, interfaith understanding, and dialogue among people of different religions. He appealed for support for unification among people from the North and South.
Alex Aciga spoke about referendum and said: “We are here for peace and diversity.” He added, “Unity needs self-denial and public mindedness.” He praised UPF's efforts in the international arena and described intercultural marriages as a means for fostering peace, unity, and harmony among people.
Several distinguished guests offered comments on the papers. Among them were two Ambassadors for Peace: Dr. Rashid Diab, a famous artist, and Dr. Malik Hussein, a well-known politician.
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