[HWPL]

[HWPL] An Appreciation Plaque from an Islamic group in Brazil to HWPL: "I was moved by the peace movement of Chairman Man-hee Lee”

An appreciation plaque produced by the National Association of Islamic Entities (União Nacional Das Entidades Islâmicas - UNI) that was personally awarded to HWPL by the director of Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai, in recognition of HWPL's peace achievements and for hosting the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit on September 18, 2018

Those who seek interreligious peace agree that religions must unite. Most countries that tolerate religious freedom are multi-religious, and ruling governments desire that these religions contribute to maintaining national peace. Islam is a minority religion in Brazil. As such, its adherents struggle to correct misinformation when it appears. They also pray for religion to achieve peace, justice, and freedom globally.

A commemorative photo is taken of guests at the religious Intercontinental WARP Office Meeting during the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit at Ramada Incheon Hotel on September 19, 2018

Director of Religious Affairs of the National Association of Islamic Entities in Brazil Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai expressed his longing for peace by engaging in various NGO activity. In 2018, he met the peace delegation of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (Chairman Man-hee Lee) and aligned himself with HWPL's vision. He heard about the prodigious peace achievements of Man-hee Lee, the messenger of peace who embarked on 25 world peace tours from the age of eighty - and is now in his nineties - for the purpose of ceasing global conflict and achieving world peace.

Chairman Lee met with former and incumbent presidents to urge them to collaborate for peace, secured peace agreements with influential political, social and religious figures, had religious leaders pledge to unite religions, and met with women and youth representatives to bring peace to nation states worldwide. He urged them to support the DPCW for the cause of peace, and signed peace MOUs and MOAs with schools and academic circles in each country. The media reported extensively on Chairman Lee's accomplishments in this field. Director of Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai, who was approaching the age of 40 at that time, felt convicted after hearing about Chairman Lee's movements.

HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee delivers a speech at the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit on September 18, 2018

Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai is from Syria and has a particular interest in human rights and in peace, refugee, and environmental movements. He was instrumental in his work with the NGO Oasis Solidario in São Paulo, Brazil which acts in the reception and integration of refugees from Syria, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other parts of the African continent who are provided housing, food and Portuguese interpreters.

Since joining HWPL Chairman Lee's peace movement, Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai has acted as the main representative (Speaker) of Islam at the monthly religious WARP  (World Alliance of Religions' Peace) Office dialogues in Iguazú, Brazil since February 2018. He also attended the WARP Summit in Seoul in September that year, where he presented Chairman Lee with an appreciation plaque, on behalf of the UNI, in recognition of HWPL's peace activities, saying, “I want to applaud Chairman Lee for his great achievements in a short period of time for peace activities and I want to be of help." Explaining the motivation behind delivering this plaque to HWPL officials, he said, "UNI is presenting this appreciation plaque to the chairman, who has devoted himself for peace, with gratitude and a sincere wish for world peace."

HWPL members display a card section performance at the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit in the heart of Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on September 18, 2018

Director of Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai was particularly passionate about the enactment of international law in the form of the Declaration of World Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW, 10 Articles 38 Clauses). The following year, on September 14, 2019, he organized and held a campaign in support of the DPCW at a mosque he leads as an Imam. At the event, with the participation of 250 guests, Imam Mohamad Al Bukai said, "I sympathize with what Chairman Lee has done."

His support for HWPL and participation in HWPL's peace movement continued on despite the onset of the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus infection (Covid-19) in 2020. In October 2020, he attended an online WARP Office prayer meeting and later sent a congratulatory video for a webinar ('Voice of Peace in the Global Pandemic') to be held by the same HWPL branch later that month.

Director of Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai of the National Association of Islamic Entities (UNI - center), listens to a congratulatory speech at the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit on September 18, 2018, at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium.

Conversely, the majority faith in Brazil is Christianity, with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism accounting for 74% and 15%, respectively. This is largely due to the spread of Catholicism by the Portuguese colonialists, who asserted Catholicism as a means of colonial rule among the indigenous peoples in the 16th century. Since then, as Protestantism has spread, conflicts have arisen between the Old and Modern churches. Catholic worship in Brazil has been transformed into one closely tied to indigenous peoples' beliefs, and there have been movements within the Catholic Church to reverse this. In Brazil, where the majority adheres to the Christian faith, the Islamic and Buddhist faiths, and the beliefs of the indigenous peoples are classified as minority groups.

In this climate, the National Association of Islamic Entities (UNI) has been working to promote Islam and to eliminate prejudice rooted in public opinion by biased and unfounded domestic and global news. It carries out social initiatives for refugees and youth, and plays a role in publishing written and online content and supporting the Brazilian media. It is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, and has 17 offices across the country.

Director of Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohamad Al Bukai of the National Association of Islamic Entities (UNI) is gifted 'The True Story of HWPL' book, which details HWPL's peace work, by an HWPL official on September 18, 2018

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] A Plaque of Appreciation Awarded to HWPL by the President of the Muslim Association of Greece: "We are very honored to participate and together to promote the Supreme Ideal of World Peace.”

A plaque of appreciation delivered by the President of the Muslim Association of Greece Naim Elghandour to Man-hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, for his unwavering commitment to world peace and his invitation to the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit

It is the minority, often scorned by the majority, who most experience crises and yearn for peace and equality. The situation is made even worse by the centuries old dispute between religions.

The Muslim minority is relatively unwelcome in Greece, where the majority of the population (97%) identifies with the Greek Orthodox Church as its national religion. Islam, which is represented by a minority, has become a religion of scorn, especially in Greece. Historically, some might attribute this to the failed attempts by Islamic nations, such as the Ottoman Empire, to conquer Europe.

HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee explains the peace achievements to reporters at a press conference held at the end of the WARP Summit on September 19, 2014

A parade of world faith leaders, former and current presidents, politicians, women and youth in procession during the opening ceremony of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul on September 17, 2014

The first mosque was built in Greece in 2020, and it is the most recent mosque to be built in an European capital city. It was completed 100 years after construction began and is the product of a lifelong effort by Naim Elghandour, president of the Muslim Association of Greece, to safeguard the rights of Muslims in Greece. The Muslim Association of Greece was established in 2003 for Muslims, who are a religious minority in Greece, to unite all Muslims nationwide and to promote a positive image of Islam.

But now, with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), Mr. Elghandour's scope of activity has widened as he works for world peace and interreligious peace. After hearing about the efforts of HWPL's Chairman Man-hee Lee and his delegation for world peace, Mr. Elghandour decided that he would participate in the peace movement. He sympathized with HWPL's ultimate goal: the cessation of war and world peace through a law for peace, interfaith harmony, and peace education.

President of the Muslim Association of Greece Naim Elgandour and his wife in attendance at the WARP Summit.

Mr. Elghandour was invited as a VIP to the WARP Summit, which was attended by 200,000 guests and volunteers, in South Korea in September 2014. He designed a plaque of appreciation, which he conferred on Chairman Lee during his visit to Korea. The plaque of appreciation reads, "The Muslim Association of Greece congratulates HWPL for this significant Summit of the World Alliance of Religions", and, "We are very honored to participate and together to promote the Supreme Ideal of World Peace." The plaque of appreciation was delivered by Mr. Elghandour to Chairman Man-hee Lee through HWPL officials on September 18, 2019. Although being adherents of a minority group in Greece, they were treated as equals at the HWPL WARP Summit, and they produced this plaque of appreciation as an expression of gratitude for the opportunity to become one under the cause of ‘peace’.

Mr. Elghandour also witnessed the bewildering spectacle of people from all over the world becoming one through the signing of the 'Agreement to Propose the Enactment of International Law for the Cessation of Wars and World Peace’ and ‘Unity of Religions Agreement’ at the Grand Ballroom of the 63 Convention Center in Yeouido-dong, Seoul, on the same date. Signatories included 12 representatives from 11 faiths, including Catholicism, Anglicanism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Candomblé, Jainism, and Bahaism.

Mr. Elghandour and his wife were firsthand witnesses of the scene of events that unfolded. Although unable to actively participate in subsequent HWPL peace activities due to a language barrier, Mr. Elghandour positively evaluated and expressed his support for HWPL. In August 2021, he delivered a presentation on behalf of his organisation at an online conference hosted by the HWPL Daejeon Chungcheong branch.

HWPL members deliver a Mass Games card performance to symbolize peace at the opening ceremony of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul on September 17, 2014

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] Influential Academic in Bangladesh Awards Appreciation Plaque to HWPL: “Thanks for arrangement of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit”

Principal of Shamsul Hoque Khan School & College in Dhaka (Bangladesh) Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah, who attended the WARP Summit on September 17, 2014, was so moved by the spectacle with 200,000 participants in attendance that he awarded Chairman Lee a plaque of appreciation on September 19, 2014

On September 18, 2014, the WARP Summit was held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul. The enthusiasm and emotion of the spectacle - hosted by a civil organization with 200,000 participants in attendance and is an event unlike any other - left a marked impression on the Principal of Shamsul Hoque Khan School & College in Dhaka (Bangladesh) Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah. The WARP Summit would become the driving force behind the peace movement of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man-Hee Lee).

The WARP Summit, held on September 18, 2014, in and around Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, left a marked impression on the more than 200,000 participants of the global village. Attendees, who long for a world of peace without war, applauded the leadership of Chairman Man-hee Lee who, in the capacity as Chairman of a civil organization, has devoted his life to the work of peace through world peace tours since the age of eighty. Dr. Mollah, Principal of Shamsul Hoque Khan School & College in Dhaka (Bangladesh), was awestruck by the WARP Summit he experienced, and he presented a plaque of appreciation to the Chairman. The conclusion of the opening WARP Summit ceremony on September 17, 2014, involved overseas dignitaries descending on the stadium to share in the excitement of the Festival parade. Seated members of HWPL brightened their cellphones for a starlight performance.

Dr. Mollah was informed by representatives of HWPL Bangladesh that HWPL had completed 14 peace tours from 2012 to 2014, and had met influential dignitaries from many countries who formed a consensus about peace. He was amazed to hear that the Summit would involve the participation of 200,000 people, including individuals he had met across all the peace tours. He was surprised to learn that Chairman Man-hee Lee, who was over 80 years old, was personally conducting overseas peace tours, where he held meetings with people across different countries and delivered lectures at forums and seminars.

Following the WARP Summit, Dr. Mollah expressed his gratitude to HWPL, producing a plaque of appreciation with the words, “I would like to express my gratitude to the HWPL WARP Summit, which was held with the invitation of world leaders, religious people, and more.” On September 19, 2014, the day after the WARP Summit, the plaque of appreciation was presented to HWPL, affirming his pledge to participate in HWPL's peace movement. Dr. Mollah has since faithfully carried out HWPL's peace movement.

Principal of Shamsul Hoque Khan School & College in Dhaka (Bangladesh) Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah (far left) presents a plaque of appreciation to HWPL officials following a signature campaign in support of the DPCW in Bangladesh on May 3, 2016

Following the WARP Summit, Dr. Mollah expressed his wish for peace and voluntarily participated in Chairman Lee's peace movement.

Upon his return to Bangladesh, Dr. Mollah joined International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) and held a miniature WARP Summit in Bangladesh that year. In 2015, he attended the 1st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, and opened and managed an HWPL WARP Office in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was also appointed HWPL Peace Ambassador.

From May-July 2016, Dr. Mollah conducted a signature campaign for the enactment of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW, 10 Articles and 38 Clauses) as international law, for which he garnered roughly 9,000 signatures.

On May 25, 2017, he personally hosted a Peace Walk campaign with around 3,000 participants, and attended the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit held in South Korea in September that year. Recognizing the need for peace education, he provided peace education to leading schools.

In August 2018, Dr. Mollah celebrated the DPCW and delivered the HWPL Peace Letter to the Minister of Education of Bangladesh. He also attended the opening ceremony of the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit. In 2020, he actively participated in various peace activities with HWPL, including the creation of a joint statement for peace in Myanmar.

Dr. Mollah signs the peace agreement at the 1st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit on September 19, 2015

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] Cotabato City State Polytechnic College in Philippines awards Plaque of Recognition to HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee "for his exceptional devotion and commitment in promoting world peace”

A plaque of recognition awarded to Chairman Lee by College President Dammang S. Bantala during a visit of the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit on September 17, 2017

The historic civilian peace agreement signed on January 24, 2014, in Mindanao, Philippines set the standard for exemplary peace education. The civil peace agreement mediated by the Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Man-hee Lee, who achieved the cessation of a bloody 40-year conflict which had remained unresolved until then, resulted in local residents taking the lead in establishing a peace education culture that will serve posterity.

Academics in Cotabato City, including the then College President of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College Dammang S. Bantala, concurred. In full view of local residents, College President Bantala produced a plaque of recognition which he presented to Chairman Man-hee Lee for his intervention for peace on the island of Mindanao.

College President Dammang S. Bantala delivers a plaque of recognition during an HWPL peace tour, where Chairman Lee was invited to deliver a peace lecture, on January 25, 2016. Later, College President Bantala prepared a second plaque of recognition which he awarded Chairman Lee on September 17, 2017.

During the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, College President Bantala delivered a plaque of recognition to Chairman Lee at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas on September 17, 2017.

During the presentation of the plaque of recognition, College President Bantala said, “I am giving this certificate to HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee, who has left a mark on posterity and dedicated his life to building world peace.” He further stated, “Cotabato City State Polytechnic College is honored to be able to cooperate with HWPL’s efforts to promote peace.”

There is a reason behind College President Bantala's high regard and respect for the Chairman of HWPL: he was a firsthand witness to the culture of peace that spread among residents, following the civil peace agreement in Mindanao. His participation was of particular personal importance.

The day after the 2nd anniversary of the Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement and the unveiling ceremony of the HWPL Peace Monument were held at the base of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, Philippines, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College was designated an HWPL Peace Academy on January 25, 2016. A commemorative photo is taken of Chairman Man-hee Lee (white suit, center right) and College President Bantala (white top, center left) at the unveiling ceremony.

Although the Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement was signed on January 24, 2014, it was exactly two years later in 2016 when College President Bantala began to conduct HWPL peace education. The Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement and the unveiling ceremony of the HWPL Peace Monument marked a historic day, as the event not only brought a civil peace agreement to reality, but also established a culture of peace among local residents.

The next day, on the 25th, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College invited Chairman Lee to deliver a

peace lecture to college students. Chairman Lee's delivered his peace message with firm conviction so as to leave peace as a legacy for future generations.

On that day, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College and HWPL held an MOU peace signing ceremony. Cotabato City State Polytechnic College was designated an HWPL Peace Academy, and an unveiling ceremony was held later that day.

Upon the invitation of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College President Dammang S. Bantala, Chairman Man-Hee Lee delivers a message of peace to college students and local residents during a peace lecture on January 25, 2016

At a pre-event discussion with College President Bantala, HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee said, “Peace is the most necessary education for youth who should also become messengers of peace and work together for peace. Many young people around the world have joined IPYG and are working together.”

In response, College President Bantala said, "I will actively participate in the HWPL Peace Walk and educate students on the HWPL Peace Walk and on the spirit of peace."

HWPL has worked closely with Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, and provided peace textbooks and programs. College President Bantala, who has actively implemented HWPL peace initiatives, prepared a plaque of recognition, which he presented to Chairman Lee for his dedication to peace, at the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit in Korea.

Since then, professors and students of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College have been actively participating in HWPL's peace activities. In 2019, the WARP Summit was even held domestically.

Students of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College line up to welcome Chairman Lee, upon his arrival to a Peace Lecture on January 25, 2016

College President Bantala also signed in favour of HWPL's Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW 10 Articles, 38 Clauses).

HWPL's movement for peace education in Mindanao, Philippines, set a new standard, which has led to peace education exchanges with hundreds of schools through an MOA signed with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and an MOA signed with the local Ministry of Education.

During Mindanao's long-standing conflict, those who suffered most were the peace-loving residents of Mindanao and there was significant disruption to students' education.

An HWPL official said, “The peace restored to Mindanao is quickly restoring everything residents have lost due to conflict and strife."

A commemorative photo is taken of participants and students at Chairman Lee's peace lecture at Cotabato City State Polytechnic College

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] Uttar Pradesh State in India Confers 'Ratna Award' on Chairman Lee, “The Jewel of Peace”

The 'Uttar Pradesh Ratna Award’ conferred on Chairman Lee by the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, in recognition of Chairman Lee’s peace movement

The imprints of peace left by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) through 31 peace tours in 70 countries have been reported and archived by local and national media organisations for posterity. Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation have been involved in more than 300 interviews and broadcast appearances.

In particular, media outlets who have encountered HWPL's global peace mission and its resulting fruits of peace have expressed their perceived sense of duty to report on HWPL's work of peace.

Pradeep Rai (center left), Editorial Advisor of India's private broadcaster APN News, delivers a peace appreciation award to Chairman Lee during an interview with the HWPL Peace Delegation.

When HWPL visited India on their peace tour, national and local media organisations showed great interest in Chairman Lee's peace mission and had no alternative but to express their surprise at the progress for peace made by HWPL throughout the world.

This is because the peace achievements by HWPL are beyond the reach of most civil organizations. The civil peace agreement in Mindanao, Philippines, the WARP Summit attended by 200,000 people, the publication of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW 10 Articles, 38 Clauses), and the 29 peace tours completed within 6 years from 2012-2018, are just a few such achievements.

Pradeep Rai, Editorial Advisor of APN News

Pradeep Rai, Editorial Advisor of APN News, a private broadcaster in India, was taken aback upon hearing news of Chairman Lee's peace movements.

Mr. Rai delivered the 'Uttar Pradesh Ratna Award', on behalf of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, to Chairman Lee in recognition of his peace movement, on February 11, 2018, in New Delhi, India. The award was prepared by the state and was delivered by Mr. Rai.

The name of the award, ‘Ratna’, translated from Hindi means ‘jewel’. The honorary prize is typically conferred on Non Resident Indians.

Numerous expressions denoting respect and honor for Chairman Lee's peace activities were written on the Award:

"The sacrificial and noble contribution of Chairman Lee for the establishment of peace in India and the liberation of the whole world from the horrors of war is an achievement that no one else has done”. 

It went on to read, "It is our privilege to award the Uttar Pradesh Ratna Award for your sublime contribution to world peace.”

A commemorative photo is taken of HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee (far right) with school officials at a ceremony for the designation of Ramagya School in India as an HWPL Peace Academy on December 21, 2015. Peace education, which is being promulgated by Chairman Lee and his peace delegation for posterity, has received an enthusiastic response in India.

The Award also reads:

"An unprecedented and sacrificial contribution like that of Chairman Lee falls in line with the fundamental spirit and culture of India. We are grateful that we are all making continual and significant strides to achieving our common goal. We support and pray for Chairman Lee’s goal of a future of peace.”

Pradeep Rai, the Editorial Advisor of APN News, who delivered the award, started working with HWPL in 2018. After hearing that HWPL was in the process of proposing the DPCW to the UN for enactment as international law in order to end all global conflict, Mr. Rai aligned with this vision and introduced Indian jurists. In addition, he vowed to deliver the news of peace sounded by HWPL to India. His determination immediately manifested through numerous reports that he published and active participation in events.

At the 2nd Anniversary of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) in 2018, APN News provided video coverage of the peace activities of HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation. This included a report on the March 14th (DPCW) event in India, an interview with APN News, a report published within a legal journal, and an online report.

Mr. Rai also participated in the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit held on September 18th of the same year and participated in HWPL's various peace activities.

On December 13, 2014, a 'Peace Walk' was held in India with about 200 attendees of the 15th World Supreme Court Justices Conference and 2,000 students from City Montessori School (CMS). A wave of global support for the DPCW, which Chairman Lee and his peace delegation have been pushing for enactment as international law at the UN for the cessation of war and world peace, is spreading. In 2014, before the DPCW was announced, there was active discussions were held regarding its drafting by a gathering of world jurists, and at the World Supreme Court meeting on that day, participants responded with warm applause to Chairman Lee's message of peace.

Peace!