Two Nigerians, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, have been named joint winners of the first Commonwealth Peace Prize.
The religious leaders, who founded the Interfaith Mediation Centre in Nigeria, a religious grassroots organisation to promote peace and mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims, will receive the award today, March 10, during the Commonwealth Day reception at Marlborough House, London.
The joint winners were chosen after a rigorous multi-stage selection process, which included Commonwealth High Commissioners, experts, and a representative from the Khalili Foundation.
A statement by the Commonwealth Secretariat noted that their work has been recognised internationally as an inspiring showcase of the power of forgiveness and collaboration in conflict resolution
“As young men in the early 1990s, they were on opposite sides of warring factions. However, after suffering losses in the conflict, a friend challenged them to choose between being agents of destruction or peace. Together, they now lead others towards the path of peace and reconciliation.
“In 1995, Wuye and Ashafa formed the Interfaith Mediation Centre, a religious grassroots organisation that has successfully mediated between Christians and Muslims throughout Nigeria. The Interfaith Mediation Centre, now with over 20,000 members, reaches into the militias and guides young people to prevent them from joining conflicts. They also train other influential groups, such as women, religious figures, and tribal leaders, to become civic peace activists,” the statement added.
In a joint statement on winning the award, Wuye and Ashafa said: “We are truly grateful to the Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat for this award and are humbled by the fact that it goes to a Christian and a Muslim from Nigeria.
“We have been fortunate to be surrounded by remarkable people and have played a role in supporting the transformation of many thousands of others. We dedicate this amazing achievement to them. We also hope that it serves as inspiration and for the next generation of peacebuilders.”
Congratulating the joint winners of the inaugural peace prize, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, said, “In a fragmented world facing multiple conflicts, it is critically important to focus on those who are engendering transformative and positive change. Helping to promote peace within our 56 member states, through constructive dialogue and ongoing advocacy, is the most important work that I do. I can think of no greater pleasure, than honouring these inspiring leaders from Nigeria on Commonwealth Day.”
Similarly, Prof. Sir Nasser David Khalili, Founder and Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, commended the religious leaders for transforming their differences into a powerful partnership to build peace in their home country, and hoped their model would inspire similar initiatives throughout the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Peace Prize is part of a multi-phase collaboration between the Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat to support and amplify peacebuilding initiatives across the 56 member states. In addition to the award, which is being given out for the first time, the winners will also share £50,000 to expand their ongoing work.
Wuye and Ashafa will also serve as advisors for the Commonwealth’s partnership with the Khalili Foundation to promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The Commonwealth Peace Prize will be awarded every three years to a distinguished peacebuilder with a strong track record of faith and values-based engagement in conflict resolution, promotion of social cohesion and sustainable peace.
