Dubai children appeal to stop killing of kids in Lebanon

DUBAI — More than 1,600 children of all nationalities in the UAE gathered yesterday at Modhesh City in Dubai to take part in the postcard for peace campaign appealing to the United Nations to stop the killing of children in Lebanon.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Fri 4 Aug 2006, 11:28 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 6:00 PM

The “Letters for Peace” postcard campaign is being facilitated by the Watani (‘My Nation’) programme that seeks to foster community spirit among UAE residents.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ahmed Al Mansoori, coordinator general of Watani, said that the postcard plan was initiated in response to many requests from parents and children asking how they could help stop the bloodshed in Lebanon.

“The UN is the only body with the moral and legitimate authority to intervene, so it was logical to give children the opportunity to make their feelings known direct to the secretary-general. This endorses their ability to become good citizens and fosters the legitimacy of the UN without which world peace can be jeopardized," he said. The pre-printed cards from “Children for Peace in Lebanon” has urged the UN Secretary-General to take action in Lebanon, saying: “You are head of the UN, so I ask you to do everything you can to stop the killing in Lebanon. Not only kids are being killed in Lebanon, but faith in justice and hope in tomorrow. “Please help to stop the attacks on Lebanon. We do not understand why innocent children like myself, and their parents, are being killed for no reason. Killing does not make peace and does not make anyone safe.”

The cards are available at various locations across Dubai and the UAE.

Within the next few days, thousands of these postcards will be winging their way to UN headquarters in New York.

“This is an appeal from children on behalf of children,” said Al Mansoori. “Where adult voices seem to go unheard, we can only hope that children’s voices will create a response to the plight of children in Lebanon, and make adults stop listening to each other discussing politics and start hearing the cries of dying children."