World Peace Blessing Report

World Peace Blessing

World Peace Blessing and UPF ConferenceOctober 14 2009, Seoul and Cheonan, Korea

The World Peace Bless ing

A crowd of more than 40,000 (20,000 couples) filled the grounds of the Sun Moon University Asan Campus two hours from Seoul.

The World Peace Bless ing

The couples ranged from newly-weds in their early twenties to couples rededicating their vows after over fifty years of marriage.

The World Peace Bless ing

Congratulatory remarks from His Excellency Alfred Moisiu, former President of Albania, and a traditional Buddhist benediction.

The World Peace Bless ing

Blessing prayers from Prithpal Sing Khalsa (Sikhism) andthe Hon. Sayed Ishaq Gailani (Islam)

The World Peace Bless ing

Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, officiators of the Blessing in their capacity as True Parents, greet the assembled blessing candidates.

The World Peace Bless ing

Rev. and Mrs. Moon offer the blessing prayer, asking God for His unchanging and eternal love and protection for all the couples.

The World Peace Bless ing

Mr. Parvez and Mrs. Ellu Manzoor of Stockholm, Sweden, rededicating their vows after thirty-five years of marriage

The World Peace Bless ing

The Hon. Gobalakrishnan Nagapan, MP, and Mrs. Vasanthi Ramalingam of Malaysia celebrate after the Blessing.

The World Peace Bless ing

The newly blessed former first couple of Sierra Leone, the Hon. Alhaji Ahmad Kabbah and Mrs. Isatu Jabbie Kabbah.

The World Peace Bless ing

Several of the more than 250 ILC participants pose for a photo shortly after renewing their vows in the World Peace Blessing.

The World Peace Bless ing

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Chung Hwan Kwak share with Madam Gayatri Nepal, first lady of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

The World Peace Bless ing

Fireworks and confetti bring the Blessing to a joyful close

The World Peace Bless ing

Couples from 190 nations attended the blessing, which was covered by newspapers, television and online media throughout the world.

The World Peace Bless ing

The Universal Peace Federation hosted a conference on “The Significance of Marriage and Family for Peace in the 21st Century.”

The World Peace Bless ing

ILC Speakers from top left: Hamilton Greene, Hwang Sun-jo, Nichiko Yoshida, Sra. Graciela Rompani de Pacheco, Mdm. Gayatri Nepal

The World Peace Bless ing

The Hon. and Mrs. Ezekiel Joseph; (St. Lucia) and Sra. Rompano de Pacheco, former first lady of Uruguay, among the ILC participants.

The World Peace Bless ing

Amb. Mohammed Sayeed of Pakistan, former Prime Minister Heikki Latvanen of Finland and Sandy and Joel Toribiong of Palau.

The World Peace Bless ing

Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon shares from his text, “Owner of Peace, Owner of Lineage” outlining his vision for God’s coming kingdom.

The World Peace Bless ing

Dr. Thomas Walsh introduces Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, who welcomes the UPF delegates to a special session at the Peace Palace

The World Peace Bless ing

Congress Nelson Marquezelli (Brazil) with UPF Brazil’s Boubacar and Linda Diallo during a break at the leadership conference.

CONGRATULATIONS!