Regina Mundi: Coordinator of the Organizing Committee |
An inter-faith prayer
service for peace, unity, security and health took place at the Bamenda Congress
hall with over 5.000 women in attendance. The women who were from different religious
denominations and different political backgrounds gathered today September 13,
2014 hand in hand to call for God’s mercy to shower peace, unity, security and
good health on the Cameroon and the world. Also present at the inter-faith
prayer for peace was the chief executive of the Region, Governor Adolph Lele
Lafrique.
In a landmark speech,
the chairperson of the coordinating Committee, Mrs. Regina Mundi expressed gratitude
to the thousands of women and the head of the religious bodies for their
presence and participation in the solemn event. She also thanked the
traditional rulers who by virtue of their function ensure the peace and
stability of their land through cultural mores and traditional religious
practices. She noted that “in 2013 the UN Security council demonstrated renewed
determination to put women at the center of all efforts to resolve conflict and
promote peace”. She also added that women have to stand up to decry any action
that goes contrary to peace and the wellbeing of mankind. “And so we have come
here today as wives, mothers, sisters and daughters to join and raise one
definite voice from one heart. Hands all linked, we have come to proclaim
ourselves as one body from our region, one nation, one people”. While appreciating President Paul Biya’s
leadership as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Mrs. Regina Mundi also
congratulated the forces for the sacrifices they make to keep the borders
secured. “We raise them to the mercy throne of God. We commend all leaders of
the world to the light of God’s wisdom for the continued assurance of world
peace, order and prosperity”. She added that perhaps the time for the
commendation would not have been more appropriate than now given that it is in
these days that “we observed with the anguished hearts of mothers and grieving
sisters that some of our own children, our own very brothers and sisters and
our neighbours are hurting. And whether they are hurting others or are being
hurt is not a thing we can be indifferent to”.
Mrs. Regina Mundi cried
out that “we denounce all cultural and religious causes of terrorism. We are
taken aback by the human heartlessness and cruelty which is like a divine
visitation the Lord God himself can stop”. Quoting from the Biblical 2
Chronicles 7:13-14, which the Lord Himself states that: When I shut up heaven
and there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send
pestilence among my people.
If my people who are
called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their
sin and heal their land.
She continued that the
current atmosphere of insecurity starts up great fear for the future, but “evil”
she continued “doesn’t and cannot have the final word in human affairs”. To Regina
Mundi, the women of the North West have come to invoke the Lord to forgive and
heal the land especially at this point in time that Ebola virus is threatening
humanity on the heels of HIV/AIDS as well as the rising rate of maternal
mortality. All of which are becoming causes of very grievous concern. “And we
are confident that He will hear our prayer as He tells his Prophet Mohammed; when
my servants ask thee (O Mohammed) concerning me, tell them I am indeed closer
to them. I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls upon me” (Qur’an
2:186). She used the opportunity to call on everyone to instill the culture of
peace and security, vital principles of mutual respect and tolerance, respect
of law, respect for rights of others and the respect for the laws of the land. In
her conclusion, Regina Mundi said the women of the North West hand in hand have
risen as one woman to cry for God for his peace, “his peace that can be
sustained for generations to come”. Adding that God should continue to bless
and protect President Paul Biya and those with whom he governs the nation,
including all leaders, be they political, religious, academic, socio-cultural
or simply respectable opinion leaders.
On her part the
regional delegate of Women Affairs and the Family, Judith Abong called God’s miraculous
intervention for peace to continue to rein in Cameroon. She also appreciated government
efforts in fostering peace and security.
For over four hours,
the women prayed for peace with the intervention of the pastors, Rev. Fathers
and Imams. The prayer ended with a symbolic fundraising. When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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