Expanding the SOPP Sphere
Byakko Vice Chairperson Maki Saionji offered her thanks to the religious prayer leaders and then shared some SOPP-related news from the past year. The introduction of Fr. James Channan and Maulana Abdul Kabir Azad, as well as the announcement of the Euroknowledge Award, were accompanied by photo slideshows.
When we listen to the peace prayers offered by each prayer leader, we can feel the beautiful vibration of peace and love that exists in the depths of the prayers of each religion. Even though the words and rhythms of prayers are different, every prayer lets us connect to our roots, our love, our compassion, and our divine spark. Thank you very much to the wonderful prayer leaders for the heartwarming prayers, and to everyone who participated in these prayers today.
We would now like to introduce two religious leaders who have supported our activities for many years and have held SOPPs in their home country of Pakistan. They have also visited Fuji Sanctuary and participated in the SOPP here several times: Grand Imam Maulana Abdul Kabir Azad (Islam), and Fr. James Channan OP (Catholicism).
These two gentlemen, together with their colleagues, have been organizing SOPP prayer gatherings every year in Pakistan. Thanks to their efforts, Chairperson Masami Saionji received an International Peace Award from the President of Pakistan in November of last year.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to both of them. Thank you very much, Grand Imam Maulana Abdul Kabir Azad and Fr. James Channan OP. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your immense contributions and work to create peace in the world, and for continuously supporting Masami Saionji. We hope to continue our path towards creating peace with you. And thank you again for your immense work.
Now, we have another announcement to share with you. Last month, on April 9, Chairperson Masami Saionji received the prestigious 2022 Euroknowledge Leadership Award on behalf of our sister organization, May Peace Prevail On Earth International. This award was given to ten individuals working in various fields, and Masami Saionji received the award in the peace category.
The award ceremony was held at the House of Lords in London, England (part of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, with its famous clock tower). The award was given specifically to highly dynamic leaders “with a great track record of creating and building great global institutions that have made far-reaching and positive contributions to several nations.”
In their letter to Mrs. Saionji, Euroknowledge stated: “We have followed your leadership moves with keen interest over the years, building lives, helping institutions, becoming one of the leading peace organizations in the world. We are also beyond impressed that you continue to invest your resources in building peace alliances between nations and multinational institutions.”
Masami Saionji received these two honourable peace prizes because of the efforts of Byakko prayer colleagues, who have prayed purely for the peace of the world for the past 70 years, and of all the peace-loving friends around the world who have been walking the path to create world peace with us. She is always so grateful to the members and supporters around the world. And she hopes and asks you to continue walking the path of peace with us. Thank you very much.