Abdul Wahid Khan,
YES, Pakistan
BUBW Florida 2012 Alumnus
SEED OF ACCEPTANCE (BUBW)
Life is all about learning but we never notice how much we learn every day. People grow up but never notice that they are growing up till they are old, in the same way learning can happen without noticing it. This thrust of learning made me attend a conference held in Disney World Florida called BUBW “Better Understanding for a Better World”. Before going to the conference, a lot of imaginary images were being formed, but to be honest the conference was so great and mind-blowing that after it ended I had to tell my imaginations that they were very less expecting. Now my words are totally hesitant to describe the conference because like my imagination they think themselves to be very limited, but just trying to talk about ocean in the language of water drops.
The ice breaking game on the first day stunned me by introducing thirty one different countries. In my entire life I have never been to such a garden of diversity where I could smell the scent of different flowers of different colors and scent. After that, it was an awesome part of my life when Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus were taking pizza from the same table ignoring the physical boundaries of geography. Very few people experience such an experience, and if they do, they are called lucky.
Next day, all those charming flowers were watered by sessions and talks by Imam Bashar Arafat and others. We discussed the reasons which cause disturbance in the world, and how to deal with those challenges. Role of youth in the global world were discussed too and there was a very great lecture on leadership as well. There can’t be any more important topics than these in our today’s world for youths and these really changed our views and made us think!
On Friday, we went to a church where we were stuffed with information about Christianity, then to synagogue where we were given lecture about the ancestor of all the main religions, Judaism. After that we spent a long time in Mosque. As it was Friday, so we could attend the Friday special prayer. I could see the relief and comfort Muslim kids got after the prayer and kids who didn’t attend the prayer were happy to see Muslims bowing before God and listening to Khutba (the talk before Friday prayer). Then there was an open panel discussion where religious leaders from Christianity, Islam and Judaism talked about all those religions and answered different questions. This talk changed many of our stereotypes and I could feel that all these religions are fruits of the same tree but just from different branches.
Students gave presentations about their countries.Pakistan, India and Bangladesh
Besides all this learning, there was a lot of fun too. Trying to talk and sing in all those different languages. It was so sweet when all other countries were joining to sing “Jivae Pakistan
After four days, BUBW came to an end with giving us a new start, lot of great friends, unforgettable memories and unlimited fun. After the conference when I checked my Facebook, there were 60 friend requests waiting, this is how we will stay connected. It was not a religious conference but conference of religion of humanity. I am thankful to BUBW administration and American government to arrange this conference. A lot of money was spent on this conference but it was a lot better than making a weapon. It changed inside of mine and there is a ray of hope that these conferences will change our world by making bridges of peace and burning the fire of heartedness by the shade of love. One day we will feel proud to be a part of a better world!
great job, i like it.
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