MIDDLE  EAST  PEACE  INITIATIVE (MEPI)
Peace, Shalom, Salaam Alaikum!

“In the Middle East, one of the world’s tinderboxes, Jews, Christians and Muslims have found the resources in our philosophy of peace to engage in a new dimension of dialogue.”
                                                                                                    Dr. & Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, UPF Founders

Goals: The Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) is a global effort by 11,000 Ambassadors for Peace who come from 147 nations every other month to join hands with Jews, Christians and Muslims of the Holy Land to bring an end to violence.

Our Ambassadors for Peace are current and former heads of state, members of parliament, religious and NGO leaders, women and youth leaders who engage in dialogue in the Middle East and bring a powerful impact back to their parliaments so that each nation can contribute to peace.

MEPI Principles: There is one God, we are one family of God.
Human beings grow not only through satisfying physical needs (land, food, etc.) but truth and love are also essential for growth.
Marriage and family are sacred institutions.
The core principle for reconciling enemies is to live for the sake of others.
Interreligious dialogue bringing unity of faith leaders and cooperation with civic and political leaders is essential for peace.

DIALOGUE
Dialogues: People from the three Abrahamic faiths explore elements of their common heritage that promote understanding, symbolic restitution, and new beginnings. Dialogues take place among counterparts in government and civil society.

Pilgrimages: Jews, Christians and Muslims and other religious leaders undertake joint pilgrimages, visiting each others’ holy places, studying the holy books together, and praying and marching for peace.

Person-to-Person Outreach: In brotherhood/sisterhood ceremonies, people from different faiths and nationalities join hands and cross a bridge of peace together. People team up to knock on doors to listen to people’s concerns and provide a living demonstration of diverse people working for a common cause.

Cultural Exchanges: Musicians interweave Christian, Jewish and Arab traditions in innovative ways. Youth dance teams from Jerusalem and the Washington, DC exchange visits.

COLLABORATIVE ACTION
Service Projects: Visited hospitals and orphanages, created a computer school in Gaza and Beth Shemesh, and certified 400 students in computer training, promoting exchange between Israeli and Palestinian youth.

PeaceAcademy: A Peace Academy is being developed in both Israel and Jordan to educate people committed to peace-building.

Peace March: When the bombing occurred in Amman, UPF organized a international march from the wall of condolences at the Radisson Hotel to the Hyatt Hotel (also bombed) to encourage and comfort the people of Jordan..

Voices of Peace: The Voices of Peace internet TV series gives air to moderate voices from throughout the region calling for peace.

Play Soccer Make Peace organized 16 soccer teams among youth in Gaza and opened the way for people in different parts of Gaza to visit each other for athletic competitions. In Israel, Jewish and Arab youth teams competed for a Peace Cup and played in an atmosphere of love and friendship.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“You have filled hope in the hearts that have long witnessed despair.”
Naila Kharroub, Principal, DarAl-KalimaHigh School, Bethlehem

“You are performing a sacred work. You give us so much hope by coming here in these so very difficult days.”
Yona Yahov, Mayor, City of Haifa

“All my life I have been struggling to attain happiness and love. This is what we live for. I am ready to die to make it possible for everyone to live this way.”
Dr. Eliezer Glaubach, former city councilman, Jerusalem

“I feel that this great occasion will have a rovidential impact on changing the image and role of religions.”
Rabbi Itzhak Bar-Dea, Ramat Gan, Israel

“When the high level Ambassadors for Peace continue to come from all faiths and all nations it gives us strength and to overcome all barriers. We feel the world is supporting our efforts to end violence and promote dialogue and understanding.”
Sheikh Aziz Bukhari, Jerusalem

“Ambassadors for Peace do not ‘talk’ about peace, we do the work of peace; we ‘do’ the peace.”
Abouna Hatoum, Melkite Catholic priest, Nazareth

Click to continue with Service for Peace...