ALC participants Photo: UPF
Organized jointly by the Universal Peace Foundation and The Washington Times, a discourse at last week’s American Leadership Conference witnessed a unique coming together of diverse faiths and intellectual leaders.
Speakers from America’s diverse communities sent out a powerful message of love for human beings, peaceful coexistence and in the words of a faith leader the need for one family under one God to live and prosper together inclusively.
The message of togetherness at the platform resonated like a reminder that the world, torn along ethnic, national and racial lines, could overcome much of the differences if people respect diversity and one another’s right to live peaceably.
Chairman UPF USA Tom McDevitt
Photo: UPF
This was the second time that I attended the conference. My good friend Dr. Zulfiqar Kazmi, head of the Commongrounds, had invited us to the event. Last time, I had spoken at the ALC to a group of thinkers and opinion makers and came away with a positive feedback on the need to foster mutual respect for cultures in accordance with American ideals of liberty and equality.
This time the conference was equally valuable for me as voices of diversity appeared to break all barriers of race, color, ethnicity to reinforce the message of harmony and peaceful coexistence.
One important part of the ALC’s is the vibrant leadership that Thomas McDevitt as Chairman of UPF USA brings to the discussion. Over the years, McDevitt, who is also chairman of The Washington Times, has displayed a remarkable grasp of international relations, and has also had a profound understanding of America’s diverse immigrant communities, their cultures and contributions.
He expressed warm appreciation for the participants and encouraged a candid but cordial colloquium.
Dr. Zulfiqar Kazmi, Mrs. Tanvir Kazmi and UPF Secretary Gen USA TMs. omio Duggan
Photo: UPF
Ms. Tomiko Duggan, Secretary General of UPF, USA, is also an instrumental presence with her great attention to all organizational aspects, and expressions of appreciation for individual participants. Particularly, her prayer for the well-being and prosperity of all, invoking words of founders Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, is an important feature of the UPF events.
The conference was distinctive as it invited participants seated around tables to express their candid views on issues touch social and family values like the role of a family, the role of women in making a man and the entire family succeed.
When it came to the turn of speakers from each table, it provided a heartwarming message of strength in unity from leaders of all Abrahamic faiths, who represented synagogues, churches and mosques, Buddhists, and Hindu temple leaders.
The American Leadership Conference (ALC) commenced with an opening prayer by Pastor Ernest Patton. In his presentation, Dr, Kazmi underscored Islam’s message of well-being of all human beings and called for unity. Rev. Zagery Oliver, Director for UPF African American Community and Imam Mohammad Tahiri, Muslim Scholar, Mustafa Center, Commentator for Session made some cogent arguments to highlight the significance of equality and its benefits for the American society.
Pandit Amar Gupta, Capitol Hindu Temple and his wife, Santosh and Tanvir Kazmi, declared that all as “One Family Under God.”
Recipients of Ambassador of Peace Award
Photo: UPF
An important part was a show of gender parity, with women bringing in their perspectives to a variety of subjects. Mimi Hassanein, Senior Fellow and Middle Eastern Community Liaison, Montgomery, MD and Barbara Moseley-Marks, UPF USA – Virginia, highlighted the pivotal role women play toward success of men and the entire families.
The UPF also decorated individuals with Ambassador of Peace award. The recipients included Raza Dilawari, CEO of of Dilawari Charitable Fund in Memphis, who has courageously and consistently worked to make the initiative a success.
Watching the well-meaning speakers and recipients of awards, I felt a welcome break from the constant cycle of news of discord, divisions and devastation that have been harming the fabrics of societies around the world.
Why do some forces in countries all over the world thrive on divergences, blow them out of proportions, and inflict violence on “the other”? What stops them from focusing on convergences, common bonds and in William Shakespeare’s words the milk of human kindness? And why don’t they choose healthy competition over rivalries?
I could not resist having some heartfelt wishes for peace. When diversity prospers with majority and minority communities under one roof, it creates boundless energy to amplify positive vibes and build a narrative of peace, love and brotherhood.
Could it be that the feelings and values of empathy, unity and humanism embodied by the participants of conferences like ALC have a snowball effect, and lead to alliance of communities and then civilizations?
Could the people of now be like the faith representatives and well-intentioned thought leaders, amiable, mutually respectful, inclusive and pluralist under the much larger roof – the azure blue sky?
