A message on the occasion of the celebration of the Golden Rule Day on April 5th, 2011 from Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Board Chairman of the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative and Regional Director of United Religions Initiative for Africa…
Dear Fellow Citizens of the World,
On the occasion of the celebration of the Golden Rule Day on April 5th it is indeed my great honor and pleasure to send you greetings of peace and best wishes on behalf of Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (IPI) and United Religions Initiative (URI) Africa Region
The GOLDEN RULE which says “TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED” is the most prevalent and universal moral principle which is accepted and embraced throughout the world and for thousands of years it has been affirmed in many religions, traditions, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies as a fundamental principle of life and the foundation on which a global ethic is founded. Its message is simple, universal and powerful.
The GOLDEN RULE is also the best tool to educate people about respect, compassion and mutual esteem in order to achieve peaceful coexistence and solidarity among members of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions and it plays a major role to build right human relationship, and to promote the culture of dialogue so that understanding and trust may develop among individuals and peoples as these are the conditions of authentic peace
With this core and strong believe Interfaith Peace-building Initiative of Ethiopia in 2007 proclaim April 5th as Golden Rule Day and call upon all Heads of States, United Nations, The African Union, The European Union, the League of Arab States, Religious Leaders, Mayors, Higher Learning Institution, Schools, the business community, Interfaith Organizations and Civil Societies to join IPI in proclaiming the Golden Rule Day and to live according to its teaching to make this world a better place for this generation and generation yet to come. In response to this call Religions Leaders, Mayors and different organizations in over 90 countries joined us in proclaiming the Golden Rule Day and many organizations are joining us on a daily base. Currently we are working the Golden Rule Day to be celebrated throughout the world and the General Assemble of the United Nations to pass a resolution on the Golden Rule Day.
Since 2007 every year IPI is also honoring individuals and organizations as Goodwill Ambassadors of the Golden Rule and Present the Golden Rule Medal.
We strongly believe that the Golden Rule will help to build World Interfaith Harmony, Alliance of Civilizations and more trust, understanding, harmony and respect among followers of different religions and will create the opportunity for them to come together to resist forces of division that spread misunderstanding and mistrust among peoples of different religions.
Therefore on the occasion of the Golden Rule Day we ask different organizations to proclaim the Golden Rule Day and to promote its teaching as one practical action to create a better world for all
On this Golden Rule Day I want to extend my appreciation, acknowledgment and thanks to all individuals and many organizations in the world who are working hard to promote the Golden Rule, Compassion, Interfaith harmony and a culture of peace
Interfaith Peace-building Initiative a URI member organization in Ethiopia is a Peace organization based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which is working to promote the teaching of the Golden Rule, a culture of peace, interfaith harmony, and constructive dialogue among different religions and cultures. URI is a global interfaith peace organization with Special Consultative status with Economic and Social council of the United Nations. Its purpose is to promote enduring daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
May Peace and the Golden Rule Prevail on Earth