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Ambassadors for Peace in Richmond, VirginiaOne Family Under God: The Quest for Lasting PeaceAFP Meeting in Richmond, Virginia November 29, 2008
By Rev. F. George Russell What do a Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim, some Baptists, Buddhist-Unificationist, and a Methodist-Unificationist have in common? Answer: they would love to bring the world together in unity as "One Family under God". "'One Family under God': The Quest for Lasting Peace" is a theme that rings true in Richmond, Virginia. It became the central theme for the closing event of UPF's Ambassadors for Peace program for 2008. The event took place at the NiwanoHana Japanese Restaurant, in the Shockoe Slip area of Downtown Richmond, on Saturday, November 29th , Thanksgiving weekend. Although the food which comprised sushi, salmon steak, chicken and salad was well attested to by many 'Hmmm, good, good, good!' the emphasis and focus was on the quality of work being down around the world by courageous AFPs. This great vision and effort for world peace was launched by Rev. and Mrs. Moon and family. Now, it is being expanded in Richmond, Virginia through the work of local AFPs. Venerable Cang Kim, president of the Cambodian Buddhist Association of Richmond, and Abbot of the Buddhist Monastery, also in Richmond, in his invocation, expressed his fervent desire for the well-being and peace of all who gathered for the meeting. Being an AFP for over three years, he has consistently participated in the interfaith gatherings of diverse activities throughout City. His presence is always that of one who put the peace in pacifism. Mr. Al Khalafalla, Executive Director of Virginia Institute for Peace (VIP), and who is also an AFP, gave a short talk focusing on the many tragedies rooted in Africa's history. "Most of the problems", he said, "were caused by the shrewd political maneuverings of the Colonial powers of Western Europe in that they pit one Tribe against another to obtain their objectives." His thesis was that the many disasters plaguing Africa today; example in Dafur, Sudan, could have been averted if greater sensitivity and respect were afforded the African people and their existing religions and culture. Mr. Khalafalla, himself a Sudanese, is involved in the leadership of several other organizations; local, national and international, apart from VIP. He has, thus far, traveled to 42 nations to advance his work for peace. He commented that Rev. Moon's work is one he admires very much and encouraged those present to extend themselves a little more by helping to sponsor at least one poor child in a third world country, something he personally does. A Powerpoint presentation rooted in the central theme above highlighted the five fundamental points of the AFP program: the universal parenthood of God, the centrality of spirituality, the sacredness of marriage and family, living for the sake others, and global inter-religiosity. It was emphasized by Rev. Russell that "due to the maturation and globalization of the world's religions, the time has now come to desist from further violent confrontations, aggressive proselytization and territorial competitiveness among the faiths. Instead, it would be far better to redirect our vast resourcefulness to mutual recognition, advancement of common cause, and the building of One Family under God. "The religions themselves were now in placement around the same family-table with a common parent; God, at the head.
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