Interfaith Leaders Peace INDABA

ILPI 2014

What mankind needs most right now is peace. The Interfaith Leaders Peace Indaba 2014 brings together leaders and individuals from the different religions of South Africa as one united body working towards the cause of peace.

Religion must become the light of the world – this is a necessity for mankind to coexist and live peacefully.

“Aren’t we all living because of the light, rain & air given to us by the heavens? If the heavens created this earth and God is our Father then we are all God’s children.”
– Chairman of HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee

The main objective of our organization is to gather leaders across religions – transcending racial, national, and cultural differences, working together to find a solution for peace within religion.

As we all know, a vast majority of conflicts in the world are unfortunately due to religious differences. This should cease to continue. Can we persist in killing young lives with the precious gift of life we have been given from heaven for national, religious or political gain? The most valuable thing given to us from heaven is our lives. Nothing in the world can be exchanged for a life.

This is why we believe that if world peace is to become a reality, it begins with the religious leaders. It is the spiritual leaders of the nations that must come together and put aside their differences first. So it is of the utmost importance for interfaith leaders to gather and engage in a realistic dialogue about peace.

The conference will also reflect on and harness partnerships between interfaith leaders across the nation, which will lead to uniting the religions of the world.

Speakers

Dr Mary Anne Plaatjies van Huffel – Christian FaithDr Mary Anne Plaatjies van Huffel is a Professor in Ecclesiology and Church Polity at the University of Stellenbosch where she teaches Church Polity and Church History. She serves currently as the moderator of General Synod of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa and was chosen in 2013 as the Africa President of the World Council of Churches. She is the holder of two doctorates, namely in Systematic Theology (UNISA) an in Church Polity (University of Pretoria). She published mainly in accredited journals. Amongst Dr. MA Plaatjies major publications arethe following: About the empowerment of women in post-apartheid South Africa : A post-structuralapproach, Control, secede, vested rights and ecclesiastical property. The Institutionalization of Christian women’s organizations: from docile recipients to agents of change, Dirk Smith – An Apologist for confession, Patriarchy as empire: a theological reflection. The relevance of Reformed church polity principles:   Revisiting the concept.

Karen Barensche – Interfaith Panel Facilitator
Karen Barensche is the Executive Director of the South African Peace Alliance she co-founded in 2007. The organization is a member of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace – GAMIP that advocates a Department of Peace be established in government, supporting local infrastructures for peace building and peace education. Karen currently serves as co-president on the board of directors for the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace, GAMIP, an NGO based in Geneva, Switzerland. As regional coordinator for Southern Africa she serves the United Religions Initiative, the largest grassroots based interfaith organization in the world, that holds consultative status at the UN, New York. Karen is a council member of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, CTII, working closely with religious communities promoting and organizing interfaith events and supporting social justice issues within local communities through mediation and civil society support. Karen currently serves on the Advisory Panel of the Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development, an NGO she previously chaired for a number of years, that supports peace building through sport for peace, music, leadership skills development, youth development and peace education.

Sheikh Riad FataarThe first deputy president of the Muslim Judicial Counsel of South Africa and Principal of Husami Madrassa, Sheikh Riad Fataar is a well-respected leader in the Muslim community, promoting a life of value and high morals. Sheikh Riad has also been serving as an Imam at the Humasi Masjid for the past 8 years where he dutifully performs tasks of lecturing, assisting in family counselling and social welfare challenges.

Shri Kirti-bhai G. PandyaShri Kirti-bhai G. Pandya was fortunate enough to born in town called Dakor, which is one of the most pious pilgrimages of Hindu followers. Shri Kirti-bhai has attended and organized numerous prestigious spiritual events. By God’s grace his journey took him across the globe to deliver God’s message. His spirituality has afforded him the opportunities to fly to several different countries like New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Swaziland and now, South Africa. With his strong will to deliver God’s message and the art of Yoga, Shri Kirti-bhai G. Pandya has appeared on SABC 1, SABC 2 and SABC3. Shri Kirti-bhai has also written a book in native language and been inspired to write several plays.

Sasson Ben YehudaAs a dedicated member of the African Hebrew Israelites Community, a citizen in the Kingdom of Yah and a teacher and facilitator of Ben Ammi Redemptive Truth Idea, Sasson Ben Yehuda will represents the African Hebrew Israelite Community. He also takes up the duty to teach about the restoration of peace, love and unity with God and amongst men.