Iranian Officials and Civil Society mark the International Day of Peace

A ceremony marking the International Day of Peace was held at the Islamic Revolution and Sacred Defense Museum on Saturday 21 September 2019. The ceremony was held in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tehran Mayor’s office, Tehran Peace Museum, UNESCO National Commission, the Islamic Revolution and Sacred Defense Museum, UN Information Centre, National Commission of Iranian Museums and Iranian Peace Studies Scientific Association.

The ceremony began by remarks of the Director of the Islamic Revolution and Sacred Defense Museum Dr Ali Asghar Jafar whom after welcoming the participants said that: “we have proved in the history that we are not war mongers and we have never attacked any of our neighbours.”

Then Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif’s message was delivered by the Director-General of Peace and International Security Department of MFA Dr Reza Najafi. Quoting Dr Zarif, he said peace is a sacred terminology that human beings have always sought it and it is being considered as a universal ideal. “The reality is that peace does not mean the absence of war, rather peace means justice, equality and security,” Najafi quoted FM Zarif.

The third speaker of the conference was UNIC Director Dr Maria Dotsenko who delivered the United Nations Secretary-General’s message on the International Day of Peace. She said peace means resilient, stable societies where everyone can enjoy fundamental freedoms and thrive rather than struggle to meet basic needs.

Mayor of Tehran Dr Pirouz Hanachi after reading some poems from Eskandar Nameh book on peace said war is not a matter of pride and no war has brought development. However, wars have happened during the history and there have been people who worked for peace against the war mongers.

Head of UNESCO National Commission Dr Hojjatollah Ayyoubi referred to Iranian people’s love for peace during the course of history and said we are happy that we celebrate International Day of Peace more magnificent.

In additional to the government and civil society officials, more than 600 people, including youngsters and children have attended this ceremony, which ended with the concert of traditional Iranian music, where kids and other artists recited poetry about peace and friendship.