The Afghan human faces of peace keeping vigil for President Obama & hoping for the US Ambassador’s visit
October 30, 2009 by
Filed under Journey Updates
This was first posted on the 26th of October 2009.
Please hear the Afghan peace vigil youth and see their human faces of peace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Kap2_210Q
The Afghan youth who are keeping the peace vigil to raise the voice of peace in Afghanistan and in the world may soon be encouraged with an initial response from the US Ambassador in Afghanistan, who is scheduled to visit these boys at their vigil in Bamiyan Peace Park very soon. ( The Ambassador did come to visit us on the 28th of October and spend almost 45 minutes with us ! Please read upcoming posts. )
This could be the Afghan and international moment of peace, when a tiny voice of peace is heard before the giant mountains.
Please journey with us.
Text of video
The autumn morning breaks over Bamiyan Peace Park
The peace vigil youth in Bamiyan Peace Park?, standing for peace
4 of our younger Afghan peace vigil keepers
Abdulai
Father and grandfather killed in war
Abdul Ali
Uncle killed in war
Zekerullah
Uncle killed in war
Abdul Raziq
Uncle killed in war
Shir AqA
Grandfather killed in war
Lala
Father & grandfather killed in war
Faiz Ahmad
Brother killed in war
Mohammad Jan
Brother-in-law killed in war
Mohammad Hussein
Father & grandfather killed in war
We are raising the voice of peace in Afghanistan & the world
We’ll keep waiting for President Obama, the Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Be at peace, stay in peace!
The diesel lamp in our peace vigil tent, giving light to our nights
The Afghan peace vigil youth at their breakfast of tea with bread
Email on 261009 from Fellowship of Reconciliation and Iraq Memorial to Life
Hakim,
We so believe in the way you have constructed your non-tribal message. It is for this reason that we continue to vigil with you. 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Momentum is taking time to generate here as well.
Here is the letter I sent to the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner:
Dear 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner,
I write from the Olympia, WA site of a peace vigil we are participating in with the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers. Please read their message of peace addressed to you and posted at http://OurJourneyToSmile.com/blog/
Nine Afghan youths, aged 13 to about 25, have also sent this message to you via an US emissary who is representing them in delivering their message for peace.
We started the vigil here in Washington State at 2:30 am October 22, 2009 (2:00 pm Bamiyan Peace Park time) and hope to stand in solidarity with them until they receive an appropriate acknowledgement from you, the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
PLEASE READ their full message prior to responding. Considerable thought was put into the wording of their message. They speak from the strong position asking all to work from a position of reconciliation. They do not have hateful words or thoughts; they have given you an incredible platform from which to make a world-class statement about the meaning of reconciliation.
You are a beautiful word-smith. I know you will respond to them with the thoughtful remarks known to come from Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.
Please consider responding to their presentation “Reconciliation of Civil Hearts” in a speech that would be broadcast across the globe.
By turning our collective attention to them – you empower all of us to look at the world through their eyes. They’ve have given us their view sculpted in a timeless language. You have a unique perspective and have seen much of what they speak of.
Honor them in a way that only you can.
With much love and hope for their future and ours,
Douglas Mackey
(And on behalf of the Fellowship of Reconciliation & IMtL.)
We will continue to stand with you.
Dear friends on the path ( in the Fellowship of Reconciliation in the US ) ,
There were times when John Lennon could bring tears to our eyes as hope swelled in our hearts.
My body now weeps with the hope that comes from some young people in Bamiyan, Afganistan. No accusations – they request reconciliation.
It’s taken us months to hear them & and still so few are looking at their work…
Please take a few moments:
One their first videos: Our Journey to Smile video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfrMoBqqVmE
An early video – how simple, powerful: Afghan children smile for love, peace, forgiveness and humanity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XUiFp-kTzk
Two days into the vigil in Afghanistan:
http://ourjourneytosmile.com/blog/2009/10/afghan-peace-vigil-waiting-with-the-world-for-president-obama/
Today – thanking the IMtL and Fellowship of Reconciliation:
http://vodpod.com/watch/2389194-untitled?pod=dandelionsalad
Today at their website – with photos of OUR vigil in Olympia:
http://ourjourneytosmile.com/blog/2009/10/910/
Please, also, make some time to write Mr. President:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Can you spend some time standing for them at Percival Landing in Olympia, WA? Call (360) 485-3764 to be added to the schedule.
toward peace,
Douglas Mackey
Email from other international peace-loving friends
Hello,
I just read about your group and the peace work you are doing. I am an artist living on the west coast of America, in a small town called Port Orford, Oregon, and I am thrilled to have a way to offer my best wishes for peace personally to a young person in Afghanistan.
Many here have worked hard to end the wars that our country engages in, and sometimes, I feel discouraged. Hearing of your group gives me such a feeling of joy.
I am so impressed and encouraged to hear of your group and this event that you have created. You are amazing!
With love and encouragement,
Linda Tarr
Dear Linda,
Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Stay warm and don’t be discouraged.
I will read your message to the Afghan youth keeping the peace vigil .
Peace from Afghanistan,
Hakim
On behalf of Our Journey to Smile
“Our voice of peace is frail and shaking but it is not fearful. And today, we wish to deliberately take it back from the noise of war.
Our only worry is that we would not be heard by those too rich, powerful and hardened to empathize.”
People in this Country USA care deeply,we have our own set of drama,disappointments.
public does not have the true picture of your people suffering as you have no idea that we have streets full of homeless,drug addiction and workaholic parents ,homes empty of love,because material goods do not fill hearts with love.
Did you ever hear the song-”The grass is greener…?”
Know that to be peace lover means to be peace maker,and believing that others do not care break your own heart.Is not true-we all have issues,although war awakens us to value harmony in country,physical death is a fear producing reality,however some people spiritually dead,are dead already,so what is the difference?
Dis information divides us ,not elite,our own apathy to know tools how to stay in harmony within.
You are driven,make sure that your heart is in harmony and accusing brother who simply does not know may hurt you,your heart is perfect,so do not stay in anger to long.
We are not to go to bad with heavy heart as the distress is a stage,a labor pain.
Take a great care of your heart ,flow with compassion for self and pray for ignorance to decrease.
Mariolka(alejka)
Dear Mariolka,
Thanks, Mariolka! We will guard our hearts!
Peace and warmth!
Hakim
On behalf of Our Journey to Smile
I am impressed with your Vigil. We need peace worldwide.I hope your message get through.
Charles Graves
Dear Charles,
Thanks so much from all of us! I’ll let the youth know your message.
Peace and warmth!
Hakim
On behalf of Our Journey to Smile
