Women of Faith Living Together in Peace
Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Canada hosted its second Women of Faith Webinar of this year on Monday, September 26, 2022. The webinar featured three speakers, Caroline Keshinro (Evangelist in Christ Apostolic Church World Wide), Jaquie Chityoka (WFWP Board Member) and Halchigul Pataer (Legal Administrator and Social Advocate for Uyghur Islam). There were 35 participants in attendance.
“Women of Faith Living Together in Peace! What does it take?” was the brainchild of WFWP President Lilly Tadin and members of her board. The event was moderated by Saphia Toure (WFWP board member).
“WFWP would like to explore more about what it takes for all of us to live together in peace.
In spite of scientific, cultural and religious/spiritual advancements, our earnest desire for peace seems to still be an impossible dream. As women of faith, we would like to share our own perspectives on how we can make that dream a living reality.”
“Women can create an atmosphere where everyone feels included and loved.
Whether it is in the family or in the wider society, women have a great impact on creating peaceful living.”
“Does living in peace require only a lack of discrimination and just acceptance of the other?
Living in peace requires a healthy mind and body. Human beings are engaged in caring for each other, their community and for the environment.”
Caroline Keshinro opened the presentation with an exposition of how to maintain one’s relationship with God. Her theory states that by exposing our feelings and thanking God, peace will rule our thoughts.
Her technique focused on a dual process of Vulnerability and Thanksgiving.
“Peace starts from ourselves…in our minds…that is where we can see others. We need to deal with our traumas [by asking God for help] then we can deal with others.”
Counteracting hurt so as not to pass it along to another requires a strong connection to God. Maintaining a strong relationship with God makes us able to maintain peace in our mind.
Halchigul Pattar who was born in Turpan, East Turkestan is an ethnic Uyghur who studied Law at Xinjiang University in China, where the university banned prayer, fasting and other religious practices. She states that although China has laws protecting these practices in writing they are not upheld and instead the Chinese Government policies overrule them.
China also has Labor Laws that it put in place in 2018 establishing equity in hiring practices, however many Uyghur and other minorities are discriminated against during hiring and cannot find jobs.
In 2004 her eldest sister who was five months pregnant was ordered to have an abortion by her school bosses. She was injected by the authorities to cause fetal death.
In 2009 her Uyghur ethnicity had been put on her passport in order that she be identified by it at the Airport instead of her place of birth.
In 2012 three police officers were sent to her home to investigate “bad things”.
The Chinese Government has also cut off her internet access and is using technology against Uyghurs.
With all of this persecution, she has been able to come to Canada and speak about how inner peace is important to women of faith. She had the following to say:
Resilience is achieved through testifying and writing.
Do not fear the aggressor, only fear Allah.
Remember Allah’s favorite blessings and gifts.
I fast to help me feel better.
I memorize the Quran.
Get to know, love and respect each other.
Halchigul is currently trying to connect and discuss the issues of the treatment of ethnic Uyghurs with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver.
Jacquie Chityoka, born in Congo, Africa has had many experiences with aggressors who were her neighbors and countrymen being murdered and raped.
“How will I be able to make peace with that person? It is not easy. We are called to live in peace.”
She remembers being inspired by President Mobutu Sese Seko in 1977 addressing his people saying that before his term ends, and a new president comes, that it is better that we live in peace and harmony.
Jacquie believes that if she does not have peace within herself it is difficult to have peace with another person. If one person has conviction that their beliefs are above others that causes misery.
“Women believe peace can be created. We can’t say we love God as long as we have no love for one another. God is represented by the people around me and I have to practice love for that.”
Jacquie stated that if we create harmony between our mind and body first, that will allow us to see every human being as a child of God and because we love God we have to practice faith.