IAEWP celebrated the third International Walk for Peace in Malaysia. This event marks the celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace 2023.
The launch was at Putrajaya, the administative capital of the country on January 14, 2023.
We started the celebration in the early part of the year due to the unpredictability of the weather dynamics in Malaysia.
Some 53,000 people participated in the IAEWP International Walk For Peace programme today involving eight locations nationwide. Malaysia has 14 states and phase one of the event witnessed a simultaneous launch in 8 states of the federation.
Phase two is being scheduled in the mid-year; which would involve the remaining six states of the federation.
The IAEWP International Walk of Peace involved participants as young as seven ( 7 ) from primary schools to seventeen years old in secondary schools. Accompanying parents brought toddlers to join the celebration with their school going children.
Co-curriculum credit points were granted by the Malaysian Ministry of Education for all participating students.
Walk for Peace was conceptualised to promote peace and harmony between the different religions, ethnicity and races in Malaysia; encouraging and educating people to maintain unity and tolerance on religious and racial issues. In Malaysia, peace is crystalised and driven by the principles of Rukun Negara ( National Principles ).
The Rukun Negara (National Principles) was introduced on 31 August 1970 by the Malaysian Government to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the nation’s Independence Day.
Its creation as a national ideology was in response to “13 May” racial riots incident in 1969 , following the general election in Malaysia. The outbreak of riots had resulted in the creation of the National Operations Council to restore peace and stability to Malaysia till 1971.
From then on, the Rukun Negara was dedicated to forge national unity among the citizens.
According to this national ideology, the citizens of Malaysia pledge to achieve the following five principles:
- Belief in God
- Loyalty to King and Country
- Upholding the Constitution
- Rule of Law
- Good Behaviour and Morality
The IAEWP International Walk for Peace was to create a public awareness to 'Free the world from war and create a healthy and peaceful environment'.
The International Walk For Peace in Malaysia began on Sept 21, 2019, and continued to early 2020, before it was put on hold due to Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, we had participation from Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia to be a witness to the celebration and IAEWP charters in these countries were encourage to emulate and replicate the success of the Malaysian event in their countries.
The Malaysian Team event directors consisted of Mr. Syed Araniri ( National Chancellor of Malaysia : 2022-2023 ), Madam Baridah Che Nayan ( President Malaysian IAEWP Charter ), Ms. Farrawaheida Abdul Wahab ( Program Director ) and Steve Rajan Farukh ( IAEWP Director General ) along with a number of volunteers and paid staff.
1. Premier News Agency in Malaysia has published as follows in English & in The National Language.
2. Views on TikTok encapsulated almost fourteen million views in the first 3 days and it is still a viral phenomenon. This events was for the Putrajaya launch ONLY. This is a true reflection of the huge excitement the event is creating in Malaysia.
3. View the sensational event on YOUTUBE by a participant.
4. Here is a TikTok from another location that attracted over 9,000 plus participants.
