Usama Tanveer, Japan
The United Nations declared 21 September as World Peace Day – a day dedicated primarily to ending wars and violence and maintaining world peace. Despite this, various countries and regions of the world are still plagued by instability and are embroiled in international conflicts, including civil war.
One of the other purposes of this day is also to raise social awareness in order to promote traditions such as tolerance, harmony and respect for humanity.
On this day, various events are organised by government agencies and civil society organisations all over the world and efforts are made to create awareness among the young generation about the importance of this day.
Various events are held in this regard all over Japan and aspects of world peace are discussed
This year, there was a similar event at Yasukuni Shrine, which is one of Japan’s most famous and historic sites. This famous national monument of Japan is considered one of the most controversial sites in Asia. The shrine has a slightly different status from the ordinary Shinto shrines. According to Shinto beliefs, this shrine is the burial place of the souls of soldiers who lost their lives fighting for their country during World War II.
During World War II, the Japanese invaded and occupied most of the region of China, Korea and the Far East, so the Yasukuni Shrine is considered one of the most controversial shrines in the Far East.
The visit of the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida to this shrine made headlines all over the world. Similarly, countries like China and Korea raised objections that Japan’s Prime Minister’s visiting the temple added salt to their wounds.
Historically only three Japanese prime ministers visited the Yasukuni Shrine in the past decade. During these visits, the prime ministers paid tribute to Japan’s war heroes, expressed sympathy and condolences to the nations that suffered atrocities during the wars and expressed the determination of the Japanese people that Japan will never wage war again.
This year, on the occasion of International Day of Peace, a ceremony was held at the Yasukuni Shrine, attended by ambassadors from various countries, Japanese politicians and elected representatives from schools and colleges.
Anees Nadeem Sahib, President and Missionary-in-charge Jamaat Japan was also invited to the ceremony to speak on behalf of world religions.
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, this was the first time that an Ahmadi Muslim was not only invited to participate in this very important and famous national monument of Japan, but also to speak on behalf of world religions in light of the peaceful teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Anees Nadeem Sahib presented various quotes from the addresses of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in regard to the establishment of world peace.
After the speech, the ambassador of San Marino further summed up Anees Sahib’s speech by stating that after the Ahmadiyya Imam’s teachings on world peace, there was no need to say anything on the subject.
In connection with the International Day of Peace celebrations, the hosts invited ambassadors from all over the world to attend. Therefore, Allah the Almighty created an opportunity to meet the ambassadors of different countries and introduce to them the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Anees Sahib was able to present World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace as a gift to the ambassadors.
In addition to meeting Dean and Head of the World’s Ambassadors to Japan, Mr Kadelo Mario, he had an opportunity to meet the ambassadors or diplomatic staff of 19 countries, including Lebanon, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Egypt, Bosnia, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Ukraine and presented them with World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.