Youth and Adults Gather to Celebrate the International Day of Peace

(For Non-Muslim Use Only)

Youth and adults of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined together with multiple faiths on September 21, 2024, to celebrate the International Day of Peace (IDP). Officially known as World Peace Day, IDP is a commemorative day appointed by the United Nations, which is observed annually. The theme for this year was “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”.

The event was hosted by Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) and took place at their Soka Gakkai Culture Center in Klang, Selangor. Vincent Leong from the Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship (INSaF) was the organizing chairman for the event. Several local members and senior volunteers of The Malaysian Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are active committee members in INSaF, assisted with the program preparations.

Hundreds came out to enjoy the program, which began with speeches by esteemed guests and the recognition of the many contributing organizations. The Church, Muslim, Buddhist, and Baha’i faiths, along with the refugee organization Youth Empowerment Support (YES) were represented.

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, the president of Pure Life Society, provided the opening remarks, stressing the need for collective action and the unity of all humankind to overcome current global issues. SGM President Johnny Ng followed by expressing his desire that this event would improve friendships and overcome differences. The concluding speaker was Yang Berhomat Senator Saraswathy Kandasami, the Deputy Minister of National Unity, who praised the organizers and their efforts.

Following the speeches, the music and dance festival began with the members of the Kuala Lumpur District of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints providing a series of musical numbers. First, Sister Annabelle Yu, a Church youth, was accompanied by District Music Director Sister Dawn Chow on a violin solo of the hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour”. Her performance was followed by a choir of district members that sang, “Ming Tian Hui Geng Hao (Tomorrow Will Be Better)” in Mandarin.

Sister Rachel Liu, a representative of the district choir, announced the Church’s musical numbers and mentioned the efforts the Church has made to create a “better tomorrow” for the people in East Malaysia. She shared about how the Church has provided collaboration and funding to many local non-governmental organizations this year. Those funds have been used to: purchase medical, dental and pharmaceutical supplies; construct clean water gravity distribution systems; provide lenses and peripherals for cataract operations; and purchase a new ambulance for the Malaysian Red Crescent, to name a few.

Church members concluded their musical portion of the program with the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth”, performed by a choir of their young full-time volunteers. The song was originally written in 1955 for the International Children’s Choir. The lyrics of this song captured the essence of hope and conveyed a sense of unity that surpasses boundaries of language and culture.

Following The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the School of Art and Islamic Entertainment (Muslim) provided a men’s chorus; the United Malaysian Hindu Voice shared some traditional dance numbers; Soka Gakkai Malaysia (Buddhist) performed a beautiful Dunhuang cultural dance; the Baha'i Community of Malaysia offered an interpretive dance symbolizing unity and love; and YES, concluded the program with a delightful young children’s choir.

After closing remarks by Leong, all of the evening’s performers were invited back on stage to join in the musical number, “We Are the World”. The crowd cherished the moment as they stood, swaying and clapping, and sang along with the performers. It was a touching moment that relayed the spirit of peace and universal brotherhood, after an evening of rich cultural and musical sharing.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to attend this multi-cultural and spiritual International Day of Peace musical presentation,” said President Tan How Hang, the branch president of the Cheras Branch of the Church. “I know that good and inspirational music can bring the peace, the joy and the strength to everyone’s heart.”

Sister Letty Sim, National Communications Director for the Church in Malaysia, said this about the event, “As we all celebrate International Day of Peace, I am reminded what our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, urges us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to choose to be peacemakers now and always.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first began its presence in Malaysia in 1974 and has actively engaged in a wide variety of interfaith events ever since. They are strong proponents for peace, equal rights, and being responsible stewards of our earthly home.