On Sunday, April 20, UPF-NL will hold the first of its 2008 Peace Festivals, in Huize Glory, Bergen aan Zee, Nord Holland, starting at 10.30am.

These festivals are connected with the UPF-International Global Peace Festival (GPF), which has as its theme "One Family under God" and its goal includes world wide support for peace-building and the implementation of the United Nations’ Global Development Goals. GPF promotes and celebrates people and programs that contribute to reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony and cooperation among the members of the whole human family. and in partnership with faith-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and the private sector, GPF encourages programs that strengthen God-centered marriages and families, facilitate intercultural and inter-religious cooperation, and foster a culture of peace and service.

Ongoing programs culminate in the Global Peace Festival that consists of three main components: an international leadership conference, a social impact program, and a public celebration.

In 2007, Global Peace Festivals were held in Germany, France and Britain and a number of other countries, culminating in the Philippines, attracting some 200,000 participants.

Sunday’s event will have as special guest and principle speaker, Sheik Ahdul Aziz Bukhari, a Sheikh of the Naqshabandian Religious Method (Sufi) and head of the Uzbeke Community in Jerusalem. He lives with his family in the Old City of Jerusalem, on the Via Dolorosa and for many years has worked to encourage interfaith dialogue between all faiths: "I believe in peace for the Holy Land. We meditate and pray for it at our center. This continues the Sufi tradition of my family."

Sheik Ahdul Aziz Bukhari is a contact and friend of UPF-NL Ambassador for Peace Abdullah Haselhoef.

In addition to Sheik Bukhari, a number of UPF-NL Ambassadors for Peace will affirm their commitment to peace and support for UPF’s Global Peace Festival as a way to bring together people of goodwill and promote positive efforts to improve the the circumstances of our one worls family and environment.

The program will also include music and a video introduction to UPF and GPF and will conclude with a celebration lunch.