Medan, Indonesia - For the first time, UPF--Indonesia celebrated the World Interfaith Harmony Week on Feb. 2 in Medan, capital city of North Sumatra, the Indonesian province making headlines in the international media for its volcanic eruptions in recent months.
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Thirty participants from various walks of life, including members of FKUB Medan, a government-based interfaith organization, educators, business and youth leaders, gathered at the UPF center to express their commitment to preserve interreligious harmony and cooperation in this multi-religious and multi-cultural nation.
After a video introduction of UPF programs in Asia and around the world, members of the Asian Leadership Training team solemnly offered an interfaith prayer for peace, after which Mr. Romeo Nuyana, the team's director and the emcee of the program, introduced the history and purpose of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. Mrs. Ursula McLackland, regional secretary general of UPF-Asia, gave a deeper explanation of its motto of “Love of God and Love of the Neighbor” and its application to daily life.
Then the team members delighted the audience with their rendition of Michael Jackson’s song “Heal the World.” Before the highlight of the program, the presentation of Ambassador for Peace certificates, Mr. David McLackland, education director of UPF-Indonesia, elaborated on the significance of being an Ambassador for Peace. Nine dignitaries who had contributed to UPF programs in Medan during 2013 were selected for this special honor. These newly appointed Ambassadors for Peace will meet the first Sunday of every month to discuss further programs, the next one being a commemoration of the International Women’s Day on March 8.
UPF-Indonesia looks forward to an expansion of the Ambassador for Peace network in Medan and throughout Indonesia to bring peace, harmony and prosperity to this beautiful nation.