Soka Gakkai International-Gulf (SGI-Gulf) in partnership with Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City and KEF Holdings launched the book in its Arabic-English edition emphasizing on how a transformation in an individual’s life can impact world peace.
SGI-Gulf launched Dr. Daisaku Ikeda’s book, “The World Is Yours to Change” in its Arabic-English edition on February 10, 2011 at the Dubai Knowledge Village Conference Auditorium.This publication is a collection of essays based on the author’s “impressions and views” on renowned personalities and thinkers including: Mahatma Gandhi, Prof. Torao Kawasaki, Dr. Arnold Toynbee, Archbishop Oscar Romero and Dr. Shin Anzai. Dr. Ikeda’s pursuit to promote peace through humanism over the past 60 years has been recognized worldwide, for which he has received over 300 academic honors, the highest awarded to a single individual.
The event witnessed the presence of highly esteemed dignitaries and delegates including: Dr. Ayoub Kazim – Executive Director for Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City; Dr. Shihab Ghanem – A renowned Arab poet; Dr. Rashid Al Leem – Director General, Government of Sharjah Hamriya Freezone Authority; Mr. Faisal – Chairman and Founder of KEF Holdings; Mr. Thatcher Brown – Vice President Brand Strategy Management, Jumeirah Group; Dr. Akash Keiji Ouchi – SGI Representative for South Asia and the Middle East; Mr. Rakesh Tharoor – General Director, SGI-Gulf and Ms. Hana Jamiel Zakaria – who has translated the book into Arabic. The audience was also treated to an inspiring and meaningful performance by Jason Carter, who plays the unique harp-guitar.
“This book underlines the absolute importance of an individual’s efforts impacting world peace. Simply though not simplistically, the author through examples in the past explains how each person’s actions in his micro-sphere of living can make a difference and perhaps, even change history,” says Rakesh Tharoor, General Director, SGI-Gulf.
In this conversationally written book, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda touches upon highly significant and thought provoking issues. As he very succinctly says, “If we look across the vast landscape of history, the life of one person may seem small and insignificant. Yet the courageous cry of even a single individual standing up for justice can light a flame in the hearts of thousands and change the course of human history.” He emphasizes on an inner transformation within the life of each individual as the key to lasting peace and happiness. Further, the chapter based on Prof. Torao Kawasaki’s life makes for an interesting read as he was a pioneer of Arabic studies in Japan.
The book is being printed and distributed by Al Nisr publishing LLC and will be available at retail outlets post-launch throughout the GCC countries including UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. The book originally written in Japanese, stands translated into five languages including English, Arabic, Hindi, Danish and Korean.
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, born in Tokyo in 1928, is a leading peace-activist and a prolific writer who has over 100 works published to his credit. For his humanitarian endeavors in a range of fields, he has been conferred numerous awards, including the United Nations Peace Award. He is the founder of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research, and the Soka education system. Moreover,he has issued annual peace proposals on January 26 every year since 1983, offering concrete suggestions for resolution of global issues.
The Soka Gakkai International-Gulf is registered with Dubai Knowledge Village as a not-for-profit organization committed to promote human values through education and culture. Since its inception in January 2005, first as 'SGI Dubai' with Dubai Humanitarian City and now as 'SGI-Gulf' with Dubai Knowledge Village, it is committed to promoting human values through education and culture. Members strive to realize these values through the active promotion of peace through educational and cultural activities while focusing on developing and strengthening bonds with local society. So far, SGI-Gulf has brought three meaningful exhibitions to the region: World Boys & Girls Art Exhibition in October 2004, Seeds of Change in November 2005 and Building a Culture of Peace in November 2007. SGI-Gulf takes great pride in being part of its larger family called Soka Gakkai International (SGI) - an NGO based in Japan.