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Webinar “Can History Help? Creative Approaches to Peacemaking and Tolerance in Europe”

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Newsdesk
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We want to use this opportunity to thank you for your participation at the “Can History Help? Creative Approaches to Peacemaking and Tolerance in Europe” webinar which was delivered as a collaboration project of URI Europe and Baraza CC together with RETOPEA and histoCON on the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week.

The third webinar in URI Europe – Baraza webinar series under the title “Can History Help? Creative Approaches to Peacemaking and Tolerance in Europe” was held on 24th February on the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2022.

Speakers at the webinar were:

John Maiden is head of the department and senior lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University, UK.

Stefanie Sinclair is Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies and director of the Centre for Scholarship and Innovation at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Open University (UK).

Charlotte Jahnz joined the Federal Agency for Civic Education as a Program Manager in 2019. There, she oversees the histoCON project funded by the German Federal Foreign Office – a history festival that deals with contemporary history from an international and transnational perspective. Charlotte studied history and media communication and has already been involved in several projects dealing with history. In 2014, she received the dpa Newstalent Award for her work on the Twitter project @9nov38, which dealt with the Reichspogromnacht.

This webinar introduces a method that encourages young people to ‘think with history’ about religious toleration and peace (RETOPEA) through the creative and collaborative process of filmmaking. The RETOPEA team shared resources and insights from workshops run across Europe, where young people (aged 13-18) work together to make short documentary style films (so-called ‘docutubes’) to reflect on their experiences and actively engage with learning materials about religious toleration and peace in the past and present.

It also provides information about histoCON. HistoCON’s motto is “Look back, think ahead”. This is because looking into the past helps us to understand current developments and enables us to learn for the future. histoCON is a history festival designed to share and discuss global perspectives on history and its relation to the present and future. histoCON is organised by the German Federal Agency for Civic Education and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. 

To learn more about RETOPEA and HistoCon, please visit their websites

https://retopea.eu

https://histocon.de/

The webinar recording can be seen at URI Europe YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkC7xFFCMOg 

The webinar series is part of the partnership between Baraza and URI Europe.

The next event will take place on Monday, 28. February 2022, at 17:00 CET: “Harmony in Diversity” – an interreligious and intercultural, art, music and food festival. 

Registration link:  https://uriwihw2022.eventbrite.com/

We are looking forward to seeing you all at the next events

May Peace Prevail on Earth 

United Religions Initiative Europe team

What happens to our body if we do not eat fruit

By
Gaston de Persigny
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0

Fruits are a sweet treat that may be a reason to avoid them – fructose, you know, natural sugar. This is bad and harmful, isn’t it? In fact, it is not.

Or maybe you just don’t eat fruit because you think it’s too expensive or spoils too quickly, so it’s not worth your time or money to add it to your grocery list. But let us prove you wrong.

The fruits are high in fiber, rich in antioxidant superfoods.

When your body is devoid of fruit, it can go through some unhealthy changes. See what they are

Gaining weight

The danger of excluding an entire food group such as fruit from your menu is that you can replace it with something unhealthy. Replacing it with vegetables is fine, but it’s more likely to be harmful. Fruits are rich in water and fiber, which helps us feel full and not overeat.

Muscle strain

You know how your muscles feel 12 to 48 hours after strenuous exercise. If you avoid eating fruit, you can worsen muscle fever and make it last longer. The best fruits to reduce muscle fever are berries and cherries.

Hypoglycemia

Fatigue and dizziness are common symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia during exercise. Fruits are a good source of healthy carbohydrates, which makes them a great source of fast fuel that will not leave you feeling bloated when you start exercising.

Desire for dessert

The desire to eat something sweet is interesting and is often caused by the fact that you do not eat enough fruit. For example, the desire for chocolate, it contains a significant amount of magnesium, as well as fruits such as bananas and avocados. When his body lacks magnesium, you dream of chocolate.

Unhealthy intestinal flora

Without the fiber and plant micronutrients called polyphenols that you get from eating fruits and vegetables, your gut microbiome can become unbalanced. Scientists believe that disturbing this delicate balance plays a role in many disorders and diseases, including allergies, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and obesity.

Gas, bloating, constipation

Other potential side effects of not eating fruit fiber are gastrointestinal problems, ranging from nausea to reflux, where stomach acids irritate the esophagus. Too many bad bacteria lead to gas, bloating, constipation and even chronic inflammation in the body, which can affect your immune system and cardiovascular health.

Muscle cramps and high blood pressure

These two problems may seem unrelated, but both can be exacerbated by low levels of potassium in your body. Potassium relaxes blood vessels, which in turn lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of stroke and prevents muscle cramps. Fruits such as bananas, oranges, melons, grapefruits and dried fruits such as prunes and dates are a major source of potassium.

Aging skin

Avoiding fruit means avoiding antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are crucial for skin health. Imagine what your skin will look like if you do not eat fruits that are loaded with vitamin C, which helps restore collagen and boosts immunity.

The American Heart Association recommends eating 4 to 5 servings of fruit each day. The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Guidelines recommend the inclusion of fruits (and vegetables) with every meal.

Why is the emphasis on fruit? Research shows that when your body is deprived of fruit, it can go through some unhealthy changes.

Metropolitan Onuphrius of Kyiv: We have no right to justify war with religious slogans

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Newsdesk
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Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), sent a message to bishops, priests and all believers in the country not to justify the war in eastern Ukraine with religious slogans. For example, he gave the lives of the two saints Boris and Gleb:

“Why do they honor these saints? How did their love for God and neighbor, as well as for their homeland, manifest itself so clearly and unquestionably? The answer is simple – in their desire to preserve peace and brotherly love in their homeland, even at the cost of their own lives. After the death of the co-apostolic Grand Duke Vladimir, Kievan Rus’ could plunge into long and bloody strife. For this, the holy princes Boris and Gleb only had to claim their rights to the princely throne, gather troops and start an armed struggle for power with their brothers. But they chose another path – the blessed path of peacekeepers who laid down their lives to save the lives of others and preserve their homeland.

Today trouble has come to our home again. Armed opposition continues in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The unprecedented information war continues. Propaganda destroys fraternal relations between nations and breaks even blood ties. Where to seek salvation? How can we overcome difficulties and strife when the seeds of enmity are sown abundantly among the brethren of the faith, and the strife between the brethren of the faith bears bloody fruit?

The blood shed in the last year on our earth cries out to Heaven.

Only the All-Merciful Lord is able to deliver His faithful from all adversity. Only “God is our refuge and strength, our helper in the afflictions that afflict us” (Ps. 45: 2). “Turn unto me, saith the Lord, and ye shall be saved” (Isa. 45:22).

At this difficult time, I call on all the brothers in the faith to always remember their responsibility for the future of our holy church and our homeland, Ukraine. We must do everything possible to end the war and establish the long-awaited peace in our country. For the clergy, any calls for military aggression and enmity are inadmissible. By no means do we have the right to justify war with religious slogans. I call on the Orthodox, who are now on both sides of the armed conflict, to see each other as brothers and to stand in the way of a truce.

We tremble with terror and pain when we see the suffering of God’s people. Sudden death erases all differences between the living. There are no more right or left in the graves. In the graves today lie the children of our church in the East, in the center and in Western Ukraine.

If we do not stop the war in our hearts, it will flare up again. In these days, the Lord gives us the opportunity to test our faith and devotion to the teachings of Christ.

We will ask God to make us wise and fill our hearts with love.

The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan of Kiev Onufriy addressed the citizens of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In it, he described Russia’s military aggression as a “disaster” and called on Putin to end the fratricidal war, which he called “a repeat of Cain’s sin” because it was based on envy.

We publish the full text of the address:

“As the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, I appeal to all citizens of Ukraine. A disaster happened. Unfortunately, Russia has launched hostilities against Ukraine, and at this crucial time I urge you not to panic, to be manly and to show love for your country and for each other. Above all, I call on you for an intensified prayer of repentance for Ukraine, for our army and our people, I ask you to forget our mutual quarrels and misunderstandings and to unite out of love for God and our homeland.

In this tragic time, we express our love and support for our soldiers on duty, who protect and defend our land and our people. God bless them and keep them!

Upholding the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, we turn to the President of Russia and ask for an immediate end to the fratricidal war. The Ukrainian and Russian peoples came out of the Dnieper baptismal font, and the war between these peoples is a repetition of the sin of Cain, who enviously killed his own brother. Such a war has no justification in either God or man.

I call on everyone to common sense, which teaches us to solve earthly problems through mutual dialogue and mutual understanding, and I sincerely hope that God will forgive us our sins and that God’s peace will reign in our land and throughout the world. “

Patriarch Neophyte: Bloodshed and the taking of innocent lives are unacceptable to all who seek peace

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Newsdesk
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0

Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte sent a message on the occasion of the war in Ukraine. In it, he demanded an end to hostilities. We offer you the whole message of the Holy Patriarch.

“Entering the preparatory days before the beginning of the saving Lent, we are witnessing hostilities between two fraternal peoples – Russia and Ukraine, who have accepted the saving faith of Christ from one baptismal font.

The bloodshed and the taking of innocent human lives is unacceptable to all who seek peace, unity and love in the world!

 Christ’s Covenant: “Peace I leave with you; I give you my peace; I give you not as the world gives ”(John 14:27), and“ blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God ”(Matt. 5: 9), echo in our hearts and are a fundamental duty of every Christian!

We call on all those who depend on them to end the bloodshed and turn their backs on contradictions, to respect the basic human right to life and liberty, and to achieve through diplomacy the longed-for peace bequeathed to us by the Savior Christ!

We offer a wholehearted prayer to the Almighty God and Father of Peace, to stop the quarrels, riots, riots and bloodshed, and peace and favor will reign again among the people!

We pray the Lord to support His faithful who desire and strive for peace and understanding, to deliver the world from the wiles of the wicked one who sowed the seeds of division and destruction through devoted men, and to test God’s testamentary peace in the world and the crown. of God’s creation – man!

The protection of the Holy Mother of God to protect all people who are in trouble, sorrow and misery and give them patience, prayer and trust in God’s mercy and justice!

May God rest in the settlements of the righteous the souls of all those who died as a result of the military conflict in Ukraine! “

Source: Official site of Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Chruch

A Reflection on Ukraine from United Religions Initiative

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Newsdesk
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We heard the deafening explosions of yesterday which brought the worldwide speculation of impending conflict to a halt… and the grim reality of the shocking and undeniable images of war in Ukraine and the surrounding areas. The quickly unfolding bloodshed and violence are jeopardizing the lives and safety of so many people.

As people of diverse religions, spiritual and philosophical expressions, and indigenous traditions from 112 countries around the world, we stand united in solidarity with collective actions toward peace and resolution to this conflict. With heavy hearts, we pray for healing for the already mounting casualties and the devastating effects of war. 

URI’s purpose is to build cultures of peace, justice, and healing. Aggressive conflict and violence are the antitheses of this very aim. We promote all options for peace and diplomacy, and support the Ukrainian people, the Russian people – their families, their children, and their communities. War hurts all people, and has destructive ramifications on nature and our environment. This impact will have lasting effects on Ukraine, Russia, and our interconnected global world. 

As we look to all the ways the URI community can come together in support of humanity and all living beings in harm’s way, we pray that light will find its way to a path toward ending this conflict swiftly.

For now, we extend our love, care, compassion, and deep concern. We share the pain and suffering with the people whose lives will be touched by these frightening and horrifying events. In our many languages, voices, colors, and communities, we are holding this part of the world closely in our hearts while we seek to understand more meaningful ways by which we can help.

As people of URI and our global community, we are united for peace, justice, and healing.

Kiran Bali MBE JP

Chairperson URI Global Council of Trustees

United Religions Initiative (URI) is a global grassroots interfaith network that cultivates peace and justice by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world.

The purpose of the United Religions Initiative is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

URI holds the prestigious distinction of being a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and has long-standing partnerships with several other UN agencies. https://www.uri.org/

Georgian Patriarch Elijah supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine

By
Newsdesk
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0

The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Elijah II issued a statement on the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. The head of the Georgian Church said his country also had this bitter experience and called for world peace.

In particular, his statement said:

“Based on Georgia’s bitter experience, we know how important the country’s territorial integrity is. That is why we are watching the tense situation in Ukraine with pain. We note that yesterday’s and today’s events are a serious threat of bloodshed, although there is still room for regulation. It is also an opportunity to preserve world peace. We ask the Holy Trinity to bring peace to the people of Ukraine and to the whole world. May the God of peace be with everyone! Amen! ”

Russia invaded Georgia in 2008. Similarly, Russian troops entered Georgian territory under the pretext of supporting separatist areas in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and then continued to enter western and central Georgia. The victims of the war are several thousand and the refugees – 160 thousand.

More than 1,000 people detained during demonstrations in Russia

By
Gaston de Persigny
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0

Police in Russia have detained more than 1,000 people during demonstrations yesterday in a number of cities across the country. This was announced by the ATS-Info organization, which monitors the arrests of people in Russia for political reasons, Reuters reported.

In the early hours of the day, Russia’s armed forces launched a large-scale combat operation by land, sea and air against Ukraine. Protests against these Russian actions have taken place in 47 cities in Russia. More than half of those arrested in Russia today were detained during a demonstration in Pushkin Square in central Moscow, adds AFP.

Russian authorities today promised to take action against all unauthorized protests in the country against the war in Ukraine, AFP reported.

The Interior Ministry, the prosecutor’s office and the investigation have warned Russians not to hold protests.

The Investigative Committee stressed that participants in clashes or rallies related to the “tense foreign policy situation” could be the subject of criminal prosecution. “We remind you that appeals to participate and the very participation in such unauthorized actions lead to severe legal consequences,” the warning reads.

The prosecutor’s office, for its part, said it had issued warnings to those urging them to take part in protests against the war in Ukraine.

The interior ministry warned that such gatherings would be unauthorized and police “will take all necessary measures to ensure public order”.

Social media accounts have called for anti-war protests in Moscow and St. Petersburg tonight.

Protests against Russian actions in Ukraine have taken place in various parts of the world, from Berlin and Paris to Warsaw and Istanbul, AFP reports. There were protests in Beirut, Tokyo, in Australian cities, the agency said, adding that there had also been a demonstration in Sofia in which hundreds of protesters had gathered in front of the Russian embassy, ​​according to the French news agency.

Pope Francis visited the Russian embassy in the Holy See

By
Newsdesk
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0

Pope Francis visited the Russian embassy in the Holy See yesterday to express his concerns about the invasion of Ukraine to the ambassador of Moscow, Reuters reported. This is an unprecedented deviation from diplomatic protocol, the agency notes.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope had spent about 30 minutes at an embassy near the Vatican.

“He went to express his concerns about the war,” Bruni told Reuters, but did not comment on whether the Holy Father had offered to mediate with the Vatican.

In fact, for the first time a pope goes to an embassy to talk to an ambassador during a conflict. The Vatican’s secretary of state usually summons foreign envoys or they meet with the pope at the Apostolic Palace.

In an interview with Reuters on February 14, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican said Kiev was open to the Holy See’s mediation in the conflict.

Meanwhile, the Vatican’s press service said Pope Francis had been forced to cancel a trip to Florence for Ash Wednesday. The Holy Father, who is 84 years old, suffers from sciatica – a neurological disease that causes pain in the legs.

Pope Francis says his heart aches over the situation in Ukraine and announces a “Day of Fasting for Peace” on Ash Wednesday as announced by Vatican News staff reporter.

Speaking at the end of the General Audience, Pope Francis invited everyone to make 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace.

“I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war,” he said.

Statement of World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Regarding Russia-Ukraine Crisis

By
Newsdesk
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In relation to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Caliph, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has said:

“For many years, I have warned the major powers of the world that they must heed the lessons from history, particularly in relation to the two catastrophic and devastating world wars that took place in the 20th Century. In this regard, in the past, I have written letters to the leaders of various nations urging them to set aside their national and vested interests in order to prioritise the peace and security of the world by adopting true justice at all levels of society. Most regrettably, now a war in Ukraine has started and so the situation has become extremely grave and precarious. Furthermore, it has the potential to escalate even further depending on the next steps of the Russian government and the response of NATO and the major powers. Unquestionably, the consequences of any escalation will be horrific and destructive in the extreme. And so, it is the critical need of the hour that every possible effort is made to avoid further warfare and violence. There is still time for the world to step back from the brink of disaster and so, for the sake of humanity, I urge Russia, NATO and all major powers to concentrate all their efforts on seeking to de-escalate the conflict and working towards a peaceful solution through diplomacy.  

As the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I can only draw the attention of the world’s political leaders towards prioritising the peace of the world and setting aside their national interests and enmities for the sake of the wellbeing of all mankind. Thus, it is my sincere prayer that the world’s leaders act with sense and wisdom and strive for the betterment of humanity.

I pray that the world leaders strive earnestly to safeguard and protect mankind, both today and in the future, from the torment of warfare, bloodshed and destruction. And so, from the depths of my heart, I pray that the leaders of the major powers and their governments do not take steps that will serve to destroy the future of our children and next generations. Rather, their every effort and motivation should be to ensure that we bequeath to those that follow us a world of peace and prosperity.  

I pray that the world’s leaders pay heed to the need of the hour and value, above all else, their obligation to ensure the peace and stability of the world. May Allah the Almighty protect all innocent and defenceless people and may true and lasting peace in the world prevail. Ameen.”

MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD Khalifatul Masih V

HEAD OF THE WORLDWIDE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY

February 24, 2022 – Press Release, www.pressahmadiyya.com

A wave of refugees from Ukraine is coming to Bulgaria

By
News desk
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1

According to the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, approximately 250 to 500,000 people of Bulgarian origin or with Bulgarian identity live in Ukraine.

They are in several districts in Ukraine – Bessarabia, Odessa region, Zaporozhye region, Tavria. According to the last official census in 2001, almost 130,000 people with Bulgarian roots live in Bessarabia alone (or over 20% of the total population there).

“Panic and long queues in front of ATMs and grocery stores.” This is how Ivan Onchev described to bTV the situation in the city of Zaporozhye, which is close to some of the attacked areas. “We cannot contact the Bulgarian embassy. We call them, but they don’t pick up. I am not against my son living in Bulgaria, this is our ethnic homeland. I want him and my wife to be safe, “says Ivan. He worries that the evacuation may be delayed because his child does not have a passport.

At the same time, our compatriot Ivan Deyanov says that he is already waiting for instructions on how to leave Ukraine.

Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that citizens with Bulgarian passports are currently being evacuated as a matter of priority. After that, help will be provided for the others.

The first Ukrainian citizens have already crossed the borders of our country.

Bulgaria is ready to take in between 2,000 and 4,000 Ukrainian citizens.

In Burgas, refugees from Ukraine will be received in two crisis centers, as well as in the municipal hotel base. The capacity of the bases is about 100 people.

At the same time, the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA) expresses its sympathy and sympathy for the citizens of Ukraine for the difficult situation in which they find themselves.

“We hope the situation will end as soon as possible and without human casualties,” said BHRA Chairman Georgi Shterev.

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