2013 World Peace Day Celebrated in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Samad’s Island of Peace, Nigeen, Srinagar continued its tradition of celebrating the World Peace Day with a grand programme held at the island on this eve on 28th September,2013 as the original date 21th being the global peace day was postponed on account of shutdown in Kashmir valley.

Samad Island of Peace under the auspices of its concern Kashmir Peace Network-(A nonprofit organization aimed at planting seeds of global peace and harmony) held a brainstorming debate on the issues of peace on the eve.
An impressive gathering of 500 people mostly students and peace activists were present on the occasion.
Iqbal Memorial School bagged most of the awards on the occasion in the debate commission. The panel of Jury adjudging the debaters was headed by vibrant young journalist Shahzad Hamdani.
On the occasion, the President of Jammu & Kashmir Young Journalist Association and Editor-in-Chief “Kashmir Media Watch”, Ajaz Ahmad War was awarded with certificate for upholding values and truth in Media.
Eminent young journalist Bilal Bashir Bhat, Editor-in-Chief “Only Kashmir” was awarded with certificate of excellence in Journalism. Dynamic youthful Journalist Rameez Makhdoomi, Editor-in-Chief “World Media Reporter” was awarded with excellence in Journalism certificate. Pertinently, Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo, Editor-in-Chief Greater Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari, Editor-in-Chief Rising Kashmir besides others were also felicitated with certificates in absentia.
Fayaz Ahmad, senior Photojournalist United News of India (UNI) collected certificate on behalf of UNI head.
Eminent socio-political activist Tanveer Ahmad Wani, Ex-Director of School Education Miss Atiqa Banu, OSD/Spl Astt with Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, J&K Aamir Ali and Young Journalists Kaiser Ahmad Mir, Faizan Bhat also dawned the occasion as observers with their august presence.
Earlier the function was started with Quranic recitation by renowned Islamic scholar of Valley Jinab Kursheed Kanoongu. The peace and tribute songs of Kashmir written and sung by young Rifat Jan which hve gained lot of popularity were also played on the occasion.
Pertinently, Bashir G. Ahmed, a Kashmiri-American owner and Managing Director of the island and hotel and brain behind this world peace celebration first of its kind in South Asia Stated – “Keeping our tradition alive each year the island hosts a “peace workshop” for students from schools and colleges who discuss and debate the meaning of peace in the restive Kashmir Valley. We debate about the peace that is realistic and how we can achieve it. I do this event and continue my peace efforts because I love Kashmir more than anything,”