Exhibition - conference: ‘Non Violence: a choice’ - July 2005, London
The International Sufi School Khidmatul Khadim organised an international exhibition-conference in July 2005 on the theme ‘Non Violence: A Choice’ in collaboration with various other organisations like the Gandhi Foundation, the Quakers, members of the Baha’I Faith, members of the Emir Abdel Kader Foundation. The exhibition was held in London at Goldsmiths College from 04 July to 10 July 2005.
Objective
The purpose of the exhibition-conference was to show the way to sustainable peace in our modern world by using the lives and work of eminent peace makers like MK Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, HH the Dalai Lama, Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba, Shirin Ebadi, Sister Emmanuelle, Emir Abdel Kader, Baha ’U’llah/ Abdul’ Baha, Martin Luther King Jr, Wangari Maathai, William Penn, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Teresa and Jody Williams.
This exhibition-conference supported the initiative of the United Nations which declared the first decade of the XXI century “Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World (2000-2010)”.
Research
The International Sufi School conducted research on the lives and work of these eminent peacemakers in collaboration with the Research Institute of Human and Social Sciences for Peace Promotion.
During our research we discovered that these peacemakers were able to bring positive and peaceful change in societies of violence through their conscious choice of non violence and their commitment to their ideal of peace. They first changed themselves so that they embodied the virtues and qualities required of peace makers before they could address social issues and problems of their times and propose non violent solutions.
The Initiatory Way to Peace
At the end of our research we were able to identify a commonality in their approach and their action. We discovered 12 fundamental steps which they all took in their path towards peace. These 12 fundamental steps constitute the Initiatory Way to Peace, which our School is committed to promoting through discussions, seminars, conferences and workshops worldwide.
The exhibition illustrated The Initiatory Way to Peace through the lives and work of these eminent peacemakers in order to raise people’s awareness that non violence is a choice, a choice made in consciousness and liberty and that the attainment of peace is within the reach of every individual who makes this conscious choice and commits himself to an ideal of peace. The action of such an individual is subsequently very far reaching in the establishment of peaceful change in society.
Significant events during the exhibition week
This exhibition week from the 04 to 11 July was also marked by a number of other significant events, for example Live8, one of the biggest humanitarian concerts which gathered hundreds of rock stars willing to raise people’s awareness to poverty in the world, especially in Africa.
On the 07 July 2005 the G8 gathered in Scotland to decide on the world’s economic future. Down in London, Londoners were caught in the inferno of bombings, trapped between fear, anguish, sorrow, anger, frustration, despair and a deep sense of powerlessness.
The International Sufi School, for its part, was resolutely calling for non-violence and peaceful change through its universal message of love, tolerance, respect, peace and service to the whole of humanity.
Peace Day
In the light of these significant events which undoubtedly show the pressing need for us to focus all our efforts and energies towards our ideal of peace, the International Sufi School has declared the 07 July its ‘Peace Day’.