Events to mark Peace Day are held at Eaton Hall and local Eaton Church
Wednesday 21 September 2016 marks the International Day of Peace. The International Day of Peace, or Peace Day, is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution 36/37, the General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to ‘commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.’ Furthering the Day’s mission, the General Assembly augmented the original resolution in 2001, fixing the date on 21 September. Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.
The World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG) acknowledges the significance of this day and recognises the role educational institutions and establishments around the world play in promoting the message of peace and common humanity on this day.
In this spirit, the UK Branch of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG UK), whose head office is situated at Eaton Hall in Retford, welcomed the collective effort of the educational centre of Jamia Al-Karam and the local Gamston CofE Primary School to jointly hold an afternoon to mark the International Peace Day. Aside from the students and pupils, guests included Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada (president of WAAG UK), Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari (vice-president of WAAG UK), Imam Gul Muhammad (graduate of Al-Azhar University), Hafiz Mahboob Hussain al-Azhari (WAAG UK), Canon Andrew Woodsford (Gamston School), Mr David Fotheringham (headteacher of Gamston School) and Minister Angela Morfett-Jones (Eaton Church).
The afternoon consisted of a collective assembly in the mosque, which was followed by various sessions for different age groups to reflect on the centrality of peace in the religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. This was followed by a walk through Eaton village with a session at the Eaton Church. The afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable and informative for all participants with the key theme of peace in our world being at the heart of the activities. Recent publications written by Shaykh Pirzada were gifted to the school.
