UNESCO Commissioner Taha Basman, chairman of MRI, relayed to Manila Bulletin yesterday the inter-agency effort to heighten peace awareness among the youth, particularly students, and strengthen interfaith dialogues among different religions and its leaders.

From the OPAPP and the Indian embassy are Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia, former deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Ambassador Nebreka Sharma.

Basman said the partnership among the UNESCO, OPAPP, Indian Embassy, and the MRI has created a sense of awareness on the need to achieve and preserve peace as they held forums and film showings over the week at the Philippine Normal University (PNU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and La Salle Greenhills.

"It was very ennobling and inspiring to see and feel such warm reception and positive from the students who showed discernment and great enthusiasm. They raised many issues that now affect the world, particularly on Islam and the Prophet Mohammad Sallallahu Allaihi Wassalam," said Basman.

The OPAPP concentrated on its peace-related activities, the Indian Embassy highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle and his staunch defense of minorities, and the MRI, a partner of UNESCO in many peace advocacies, stressing Islam’s moderate and tolerant nature, which the Muslim prophet had preached and exemplified.