Hundreds march in Dubai for world peace

Hundreds join in as a prelude to international peace convention in Dubai. Dubai Hundreds of people took part in the first ever Peace March held in Dubai Friday. Led by Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the march included a rally of thousands of motorbikes, cars, mounted police as well as school children and families. Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the march was organised as a prelude to the second Dubai International Peace Convention (DIPC), which starts on Thursday. Heralded by a group of sky divers, who jumped from helicopters at 4pm, the vehicles, ranging from Camaros and Hummers to Harleys and BMWs, started from the Dubai World Trade Centre and paraded to Mall of the Emirates. They returned to Road 312, where they were welcomed by police officers with yellow roses. Mohammad Sahl, aged 20, best exemplified the spirit of the evening. The wheelchair user took part in the march aided by his father, shouting slogans for global peace. Speaking to Gulf News the young man said: "I'm happy to be part of this march today and I'm willing to do whatever I can to achieve peace in the world." Overwhelming scenes Sameer Ahmad, 14, a student from Pakistan Academy said global peace is something every individual should work for. "If everyone strives for peace individually and collectively, I think we can achieve peace everywhere." The initiative was organised by Al Manar Centre for Quran Studies, in association with Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace and the organisers were impressed by the response. "The response has been overwhelming. We were expecting 500 bikes and more than 1,000 participated today, there were hundreds of pedestrians as well. Our idea is to involve more and more people and spread the message of peace," said Dr Omar Al Khateeb, Chairman of Dubai International Peace Convention (DIPC). He hoped to get a similar response for DIPC, being held on April on 12-14, which the Grand Imam of Makkah Abdur Rahman Sudais is expected attend. From: Gulfnews