KARACHI, March 16: A large number of people participated in a demonstration to oppose the planned US war against Iraq and in support of peace here on Sunday.

Most of the participants were women and girls.

The demonstration, a candlelight peace vigil, was organized by the Youth Initiative for Peace at Karachi Press Club in the evening. It was part of a global vigil under which such vigils are being organized around the world to oppose war.

The demonstrators, holding lit candles in their hands, chanted slogans in support of peace and against war. Some of the slogans were: “We want peace,” “we do not war,” “We love peace, “We hate war”, “yes to peace,” “no to war,” etc.

The demonstration was organized as an expression of solidarity with the peace-loving people who are staging demonstrations against the planned war on Iraq.

The disciplined demonstrators sang many peace songs including “We who believe in peace shall not rest until it comes.” They sang this song in English language and in many other languages — Bengali, Nepali, Sinhalese, Bhutanese, Urdu, Punjabi, Brahivi, Sindhi, etc.

Later, the demonstrators, with lit candles in hand, made the sign of “peace.” They also observed one minute silence, after which they dispersed.

Such vigils are being held every day in cities and towns all around the globe. The Global Vigil has been endorsed by the Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who recently said: “On Sunday evening people in every corner of the globe will shine beacons of light throughout the world. May our candles rekindle the light of reason and hope so that war will be averted in Iraq and peace will prevail in the world.” He will help to articulate the moral case against war.

Last week an emergency petition was presented to the UN Security Council, over a million of peace lovers joined together to ask for tough inspections, not war. It was an amazing and unprecedented show of global unity that brought folks from virtually every country together in one voice.

Beginning in New Zealand, these locally organized candlelight vigils will circle around the globe. They will be beautiful, powerful, and inspiring. They will send an eloquent and clear message that the world wants peace.