Peace march to herald Dubai international convention

Officials expect more than 150,000 people to join a peace march on Friday to usher in the Dubai International Peace Convention.

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DUBAI // Hot air balloons, sky divers and peace flags will highlight a peace march on Friday, ahead of next week's three-day Dubai International Peace Convention.

Sky divers from choppers will descend around 4.15pm behind Emirates Towers near the Trade Centre District. They will join a march led by 500 bikers, 200 cars and nearly 20 horses on 312 Road.

Officials said today they expect more than 150,000 people to join the march.

"The peace march is to raise awareness," said Dr Omar Al Khateeb, the convention's chairman. "People from all backgrounds will join together for one common aim, which is peace."

In the run-up to the event, the organisers will also visit patients in hospitals and hold other activities through the next week.

The convention, which begins next Thursday, April 12, will see Islamic scholars from across the world. The American Muslim preacher Yusuf Estes; Abdur Raheem Green, an imam at the London Central Mosque; and Zakir Naik, president and founder of the Indian-based Islamic research Foundation, are among the speakers who are expected at the convention.

Organisers said the event will focus on peace within the individual, and how global unity can be achieved through peace.

The convention is an initiative of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Peace Award. Its objective is to honour people who have contributed to world peace, promoting dialogue between different faiths, and the development of global peace and stability.

pkannan@thenational.ae