ACHA PEACE BULLETIN
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin
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A publication of Association for Communal
Harmony in Asia (ACHA)
www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org
Editor:
Pritam K. Rohila, PhD asiapeace@comcast.net
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Volume XI, No. 10,
The issue is late due to Editor’s
vacation
______________________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
*Hands and Words are Not for Hurting,
Pritam K. Rohila, Ph. D.,
GUEST
EDITORIAL
*Saving the Siachen
Glacier, Pavan Nair
BOOKS
*Peace Parks: Conservation and Conflict Resolution, Saleem H. Ali (Ed), 2007,
*Commingling of Two Oceans: Majma ul-Bahrain, M. Dara Shikoh, 2006
CONTESTS
*Atlas's
2007 Ibn-Khaldoun Essay Contest
PEACE & HARMONY EVENTS
*November 8-11,
*December
1-2,
PEACE & HARMONY REPORTS
*October2,
PEACE & HARMONY EDUCATION &
TRAINING
*December 23-25, Rajsamand,
SRI LANKA UPDATE
*Supreme court could show the way out of human rights imbroglio, Jehan Perera
______________________________________________________________________________
EDITORIAL
*Hands
and Words are Not for Hurting, Pritam K. Rohila, Ph. D.,
Hands
and Words are Not for Hurting is a a grassroots
effort that was initiated ten years ago by Ann S. Kelly of Salem, Oregon,
U.S.A, to end abuse and violence in homes, schools, and communities. It has
since expanded to many communities throughout the
In
Children
in kindergarten through 8th grade learn how to recognize and
understand feelings. They are taught how to make positive and effective
choices, and to keep anger from escalating into violence.
Children
in grades 3 through 5 are trained in skills needed to build respectful and
healthy peer relationships. The focus is on friendship skills and assertive communication.
Middle
school children learn how to change attitudes and behaviors that may lead to
violence. They are helped to develop problem-solving skills and new ways of
thinking about how they might respond to conflict in roles as aggressors,
victims and bystanders.
High
school students are taught skills how conflicts can become violent situations.
They learn about the impact of violence on perpetrators, victims and
communities, how to manage conflicts, maintain personal safety, deal
effectively with sexual harassment and abusive relationships, and identify
resources available to help prevent and avoid violence.
The central feature of the program requires each child to take a pledge: “I will not use my hands or words for hurting myself or others.”
While taking the pledge each child is asked to draw or trace his/her own hands on purple paper and sign his name and age.
The purple hands are then displayed in each school together with critical messages of nonviolence.
The display serves as a visual reminder of each child’s personal commitment to stop and think before saying or doing anything hurtful.
The
essential message is: “Anger is a feeling, violence is always a choice.”
More
information about the program is available on the Hands Project website www.handsproject.org
GUEST
EDITORIAL
*Saving
the Siachen Glacier, Pavan
Nair
That
global warming is causing glaciers to recede is an established fact. Several
studies in
The
Siachen Glacier is the largest glacier outside the polar regions and is sometimes referred to as the Third
Pole. It is the largest reserve of fresh water in
In
1984, Indian soldiers occupied the Saltoro Ridge which forms the western
watershed running along the Glacier.
It
is estimated that a total of about seven thousand men are still deployed on
both sides of the line. All of them are not on the Glacier but are either in
the Nubra and
There
is an urgent need to demilitarise the region. Maybe
the IPCC and its Chairman Dr RK Pachauri of
recent Nobel prize fame will push both governments
to see sense. Each day matters. If there was ever a case for a campaign to save
the environment, then this is it.
BOOKS
*Peace Parks: Conservation
and Conflict Resolution,
Saleem H. Ali (Ed), MIT Press, 2007,
432 Pages, ISBN-10: 0-262-51198-3; ISBN-13: 978-0-262-51198-8, $29.00/£18.95
(Paper) http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11250
Although the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded
to a Kenyan environmentalist, few have considered whether environmental
conservation can contribute to peace-building in conflict zones. Peace Parks
explores this question, examining the ways in which environmental cooperation
in multijurisdictional conservation areas may help
resolve political and territorial conflicts. Its analyses and case studies of transboundary peace parks focus on how the sharing of
physical space and management responsibilities can build and sustain peace
among countries.
The book examines the roles played by
governments, the military, civil society, scientists, and conservationists, and
their effects on both the ecological management and the potential for
peace-building in these areas.
Following a historical and theoretical
overview that explores economic, political, and social theories that support
the concept of peace parks, and discussion of bioregional management for
science and economic development, the book presents case studies of existing
parks and proposals for future parks. After describing such real-life examples
as the Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor in Africa and
the Emerald Triangle conservation zone in Indochina, the book looks to the
future, exploring the peace-building potential of envisioned parks in
security-intensive spots including the U.S.-Mexican border, the demilitarized
zone between North and South Korea, and the Mesopotamian marshlands between
Iraq and Iran.
One chapter is devoted to resolving
the Siachen dispute. It is coauthored by Air Marshall
(retd) Nanda Cariappa.
With contributors from a variety of disciplines
and diverse geographic regions, Peace Parks is not only a groundbreaking
book in International Relations but a valuable resource for policy makers and
environmentalists.
Saleem H. Ali, the books’ editor, is Associate
Professor of Environmental Planning at the Rubenstein School of Natural
Resources at the
According
to Dr. Ali, any royalties that may accrue from the book will go for conservation
causes worldwide.
Of the various Indian Sufi treatises of this sort, perhaps the best-known work is the ‘Majma al-Bahrain', or 'The Commingling of the Two Oceans', by Muhammad Dara Shikoh, eldest son of the great Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan, and heir apparent to his throne.
The 'two oceans' referred to in the title of the book denote Islamic Sufism, on the one hand, and the Vedantic thought as contained in the Upanishadic tests of the Hindu tradition. As the title suggests, Dara sought to argue that, essentially, the two were the same thing, although bearing different names. In this way, he sought to craft an innovative approach to inter-faith relations, and one that can provide interesting ideas for similar efforts in our own time.
The
English translation of this work has long been out of print, and Hope India
Publications, an upcoming publisher based in Gurgaon,
deserve our special thanks
for bringing it out, and that, too, at a fairly affordable price.
The
Majma al-Bahrain is best understood in the context of
Dara's own life. Like any other Mughal
prince, Dara's early education was entrusted to ulema of high calibre, who taught
him the Holy Qur'an, Persian poetry and Sufi
treatises. In his youth, Dara came
into contact with numerous Muslim and Hindu mystics, some of whom exercised a profound
influence on him.
The
most noted among these was Miyan Mir, a Qadri Sufi of
Dara's close and friendly refations with Muslim and Hindu mystics led him to seek to explore what both systems of mysticism had in common. Accordingly, he set about learning Sanskrit and, with the help of the Pandits of Benaras, made a Persian translation of the Upanishads, which was later followed by his Persian renderings of the Gita and the Yoga Vasishta.
Throughout this endeavour, his fundamental concern was the quest for the discovery of the Unity of God, or tauhid as it is known in Islam.
Dara expresses this concern in his Persian translation of the Upanishads, the Sirr-i-Akbar ('The Great Secret') thus: And whereas I was impressed with a longing to behold the Gnostic doctrines of every sect and to hear their lofty expressions of monotheism and had cast my eyes upon many theological books and had been a follower thereof for many years, my passion for beholding the Unity [of God], which is a boundless ocean, increased every moment Thereafter, I began to ponder as to why the discussion of monotheism is so conspicuous in India and why the Indian mystics and theologians of ancient India do not disavow the Unity of God, nor do they find any fault with the Unitarians.
Dara's works are numerous, all in the Persian language,
only some of which are readily available today. His writings fall into two
broad categories. The first consists of books on Islamic Sufism and Muslim
saints, and the other on the religious beliefs of the Hindus. Dara's writings on Sufism show him to have been a devout, practising Muslim, albeit opposed to the soulless ritualism
of many of his contemporary 'ulama.
Dara wrote extensively on the religious systems of the Hindus, following in the tradition of several Muslim mystics and scholars before him. In accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qur'an, Dara saw the possibility of some religious figures of the Hindus having actually been prophets of God, and of certain Hindu scriptures as having been originally been divine revelations. Thus, for instance, in the Sirr-i-Akbar he claimed that a strong strain of monotheism may be discerned in the Vedas and opines that the monotheistic philosophy of the Upanishads may be 'in conformity with the Holy Qur'an and a commentary thereon'.
The
Majma-ul
Completed when he was forty- two years old, this book is a pioneering attempt to build on the similarities between Islam and certain strands of Hindu monotheistic thought, and it is these two that the 'two oceans' in the book's name refers to. He describes this treatise as 'a collection of the truth and wisdom of two Truth-knowing groups'. It is, in terms of content, rather technical, focussing on Hindu terminology and their equivalents in Islamic Sufism, showing the close similarities between the two. The basic message that this book conveys is summed up in Dara's own words thus: 'Mysticism is equality'.
And that claim remains as meaningful today as when Dara enunciated it.
CONTESTS
*Atlas's 2007 Ibn-Khaldoun Essay Contest
Economics and Freedom in Islamic Societies is the theme for the Atlas Economic Research Foundation’s second annual essay contest about freedom in the Islamic Societies.
The contest is named after Ibn-Khaldoun to honor the scholarly work of this prominent Islamic historian, economist, and sociologist of the 14th century. His writings continue to inspire free-market scholars to this day, promoting the necessity of responsible government to promote economic prosperity and civilized nations.
The
Atlas Economic Research Foundation was founded in 1981 by the late Sir Antony Fisher and is headquartered in
The
winning essays will be awarded prizes (1st Prize $2,000; 2nd
Prize $1,000; 3rd Prize $500 ;
Two
Honorable Mentions $250 each). The essays will be posted on
website www.atlasusa.org and on Azad - Atlas’s newsletter about freedom in the
Entries
should be no fewer than 800 words and no more than 1,400 words, typewritten,
double-spaced, and footnoted. Submissions may be written either in
English or Arabic.
The contest is open to university students, undergraduate and graduate levels, who are or below 30 years of age.
All submissions must be
received on or before
More info from sajid.anani@atlasusa.org
PEACE & HARMONY EVENTS
*November
8-11, Toronto, Canada: ETHICS AND
GLOBAL PEACE: NGO PERSPECTIVES is the theme of the World
Congress of NGOs to be held at Delta Chelsea Hotel, to address the issue
of ethics and peace at all levels: from the individual to the global community.
Professional training seminars and workshops for representatives of nonprofits
and NGOs will also be offered throughout the conference in topics including: 1) Peace Through Service; 2) Writing a Successful Grant: 3)
Achieving Financial Sustainability; 4) Advocacy for NGOs/Nonprofits; and What
Works in Business, Works for NGOs? For details and registration form visit www.wango.org/congress/registration.aspx
More info from World Association of
Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) Tel:
914.631.8990 (
Email: congress@wango.org
*December 1-2, Islamabad, Pakistan: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS: PROSPECTS
AND CHALLENGES aims to analyze the significant issue pertaining to peace
building in South Asia, with particular reference to the on-going peace dialogue
between India and Pakistan, at Preston
University, Islamabad. Registration fee is Rs. 1,000.
More info from Dr. Sohail Mahmood, Preston University, 85, Street 3, H-8/1, Islamabad
- 44000, Pakistan, Phone: +92 51 111-707-808 (office); Fax: 092- 051-4430648, Cell:
+92 345 511 79 21, E-Mail: mahmood.sohail@gmail.com
PEACE & HARMONY REPORTS
*October2,
Its barely
Students, teachers and parents got a good two hours to interact and share opinions. Soon after which there were steaming hot samosas and tea waiting for all.
Children from Manav Sadhna of Ahmedabad presented Gandhiji's favorite hymns "Vaishnava jana to" and "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram."
The keynote speakers and special guests for the day were introduced by Mr. Pramod Sharma the Coordinator of Yuvsatta.
Eminent guests for the first day of this
distinguished camp included Capt. Kanwaljit Singh,
Cooperation Minister, Punjab, Mrs. Harjinder Kaur, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Mr. SK Setia, DPI (Schools) & Mr. Mubashir
Mirza, Chairman, CYDA,
Organised jointly by YUVSATTA, Gandhi Smriti
& Darshan Samiti,
The lamp lighting ceremony was most special and unique with the distinguished guests and both Indian and Pakistani students participating along with Cpt. Kanwaljit Singh, Mrs. Harinder Karu and Mr. SK Setia in the auspicious event.
Then
Dr. Shashi
Jain – Principal of
Addressing the participants Mrs. Harjinder Kaur addressing in beautiful Punjabi and immaculate English stressed on the fact that the 2 nd of October which not only signifies Gandhi Jayanti but also the International Day of Non-Violence. She urged the participants to begin the revolution not just from top or bottom but take on all of humanity. She expressed the view that children should carry the message of peace a long way.
All
the distinguished guests were then presented with tokens of appreciation and
love from the organizers by the chief guest. The chief guest Capt. Kanwaljit Singh addressed the crowd and spoke about
national integration since students from all over the country were
present and encouraged us all to use this opportunity to take this forward with
our friends from
PEACE & HARMONY EDUCATION & TRAINING
*December 23-25, Rajsamand, Rajasthan, India:
INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUES ON CHALLENGES OF VIOLENCE, HUNGER AND POVERTY: EVOLVING
SUSTAINABLE COUNTER MEASURES is being organized under the auspices of Jain Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya Mahashraman, by Anuvrat Global Organization (ANUVIBHA www.anuvibha.in anuvibha@sify.com), at the Children’s Peace Palace. The program will
consist of plenary sessions and workshops. Registration fee including board an dodging is $100. More info from V. Sarkar
at vsarkar1@earthlink.net
*December 26-28, Rajsamand, Rajasthan, India:
1ST INTERNATIONAL
NONVIOLENCE TRAINING CAMP, being
organized under the auspices of Jain Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya Mahashraman, by Anuvrat Global
Organization (ANUVIBHA www.anuvibha.in anuvibha@sify.com), at the Children’s Peace Palace. egistration fee including board an dodging is
$100. More info from V. Sarkar at vsarkar1@earthlink.net
SRI LANKA UPDATE
*Supreme court could show the way out of human rights imbroglio, Jehan Perera jehanpc@sltnet.lk
The
country’s international image with regard to human rights took another beating
with the visit of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour. In her final media briefing she made it clear
that the absence of the rule of law and the violations of human rights in
In recent
weeks, the government claimed to have come out on top in recent UN meetings on
human rights in
However, Ms Arbour’s visits to
Witnessing large numbers of families of disappeared, as Ms Arbour
did, who had been mobilized by the Civil Monitoring Committee to demonstrate in
the UN compound in Colombo, would have had a major impact on the visiting UN
team. Listening to the accounts of both local and international NGOs who
work in the field, would have been further evidence of where the truth lay.
However Ms Arbour also admitted that her office could
only assist
Tragically,
it appears that at this time the government, that scents victory over the LTTE
in the military battlefield, could not care less. So far the government’s
position has been to reject any UN field monitoring presence in the country.
Instead the Minister of Human Rights took the position that the government was
prepared to accept technical assistance that would strengthen the government’s
own mechanisms for protecting human rights. The problem, however, is not
the lack of capacity of the government’s institutions, but the lack of
credibility that they suffer from.
The government’s position that it will not accept an UN office for human rights in the country as an infringement on the country’s sovereignty can be contested. The government has accepted a whole host of other UN offices in the country, including UNDP, UNHCR and UNICEF. They have all played a positive role in being a source of solace and assistance to war affected people, as well as assisting in the country’s overall human development programmes. The same logic that applies to the presence of those UN organizations needs to prevail with regard to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
An example
of a fellow South Asian country that is equally conscious of sovereignty
issues, but which adopted a more accommodative attitude towards UN involvement
in human rights monitoring is
In April
2005, the Government of Nepal formally invited the UN to come to
Most
analysts we met during our week long stay in
Different Scenario
For the past year, the Government of Nepal has been following an enlightened policy in dealing with its Maoist rebellion. In November 2006 the government and Maoists signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the armed hostilities between them. Not long thereafter both parties invited the UN to assist in their peace process. In a major move they agreed to remain in barracks and put their weapons under lock and key supervised by the UN. Although political disagreements have arisen between the government and Maoists, the ceasefire is still holding.
But for the
present the scenario in
On the other
hand, the UN itself has said that it would not force its presence on
It is
unacceptable when a government sees its people as statistics and argues that
its own situation is not as bad as elsewhere based on just numbers. When
the seriousness of abuses are denied on the ground of relative scale, it
becomes necessary to look to institutions that look at human rights abuses as
they should be, in absolute terms. This would be the justice
system. The Supreme Court that stopped the eviction of Tamil citizens
from
The Supreme
Court of Sri Lanka stands as the last glimmer of hope in these bleak
times. National institutions separate from the executive need to step
forth to end the impunity. The Supreme Court has stepped in where its
mandate has been sought. Now perhaps it needs to look broader, as in the
famous public interest law cases of