Lahore: September 22, 2015. (Pervez Yousaf) Children of schools expressed their ambitions for peace through paintings, models and speeches during a two in one event held at St. Mary’s High School, Gulberg Lahore. This significant occasion was organized by Council for Interfaith Dialogue Pakistan (CFID) to mark the World Day of Peace 2015. Coordinator of the CFID, Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap was the chief organizer of this programme while chairman and director of Ittehad-e-Ummat Pakistan and advisor to Red Crescent Society Pakistan Allama Muhammad Zia-ul-Haque Naqshbandi, Dr. Yaqoob Bangash, Fr. Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap and Fr. Patrick Samuel OFM Cap were the guests of honor on this occasion. Children of different schools were the participants of this art exhibition and speech competition program accompanied by their teachers and principals. The principal of St. Mary’s High School Sr. Alvina Barkat welcomed all the guests and contesting children followed by a comprehensive introduction of the programme by Sunil John. In his introductory words he said, “During a session of the general assembly of the United Nations in 1981 all the member countries unanimously passed a resolution to observe 21 September as the International Day of Peace. Therefore following the charter of the United Nations this day is celebrated throughout the world for the last twenty four as the day of peace and tolerance. Different programmes are organized by GOs and NGOs in all the member countries of the United Nations.” The contesting children emphasized the need for the promotion of peace and tolerance during their speeches. They expressed that today the entire world is in the grip of terrorism. There is bloodshed and extreme of violence in the name of religion and barbarians are mercilessly slaughtering the guiltless people including men, women and even the infants. In our motherland the situation is also terrible, the terrorists are targeting the public places, government institutions, offices of armed forces, sensitive installations, places of worships and even the schools through indiscriminate attempts. Our armed forces are bravely and courageously carrying out their day and night efforts to defeat these radical groups. They further said that it is a dire need of the hour to contribute our efforts to curb these elements and to restore peace in our society. All the gusts appreciated the emotions and ambitions of the children while watching their paintings and models and listening to their impressive speeches on the subject of peace. Expressing their views they also repeated their vow to play their due role to build a peaceful society and to grow tolerance among the hearts of the people. Thanking all the guests and children Fr. Francis Nadeem appealed to entire nation to unite and work together for the restoration of peace, progress and stability of the country. He said that we are one nation and it is our national duty to contribute our efforts for this dignified cause as individuals or organizations forgetting all sorts of discrimination and prejudice. He further said that every good thing starts at home as such the peace has to start from home and our children can play a significant role to promote peace in our society. Children are the ambassadors of peace and being their guides we have to support these ambassadors of peace. At the end Fr. Patrick Samuel led all the participants in reciting the peace prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. He advised all the children to make this prayer a part of their daily prayers. On this occasion children of St. Mary’s School Model Colony presented beautiful songs of peace under the direction of Sajjad Inayat.