'Combating violence in non-violent ways':Iraq's new slogan

Bangalore, Aug 27 (UNI) War ravaged Iraq has adopted a slogan "Combating Violence in Non-violent ways' and to achieve this in true spirit the Government of Iraq has sent a group of 55 youth to Art of Living International Centre founded by Sri Ravi Shankar.

"The main aim the Government of Iraqi sending the youths for a month long spiritual training here was to bring in peace in the country which witnessed heavy casualty during bombing," Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told newsmen here.

He said that after 2005 bombings lakhs of women had been widowed and youths were very angry over bombing and losing everything, including peace of mind..

"Hence after visit to Iraq in May 2007, Iraq Minister for Sports and Youth proposed to send some youth to the Centre here and to give spiritual training to them and in turn they (Youth) can take up spreading messege of spirituality in their country", Sri Ravi Shankar added.

This was a joint initiative between the Art of Living and the Iraqi Government. Many of the youth selected were students, sportspersons and teachers. While the Government of Iraqi met the travelling expenses, Art of Living was taking care of their stay and sightseeing in Bangalore and surrounding cities. The Course commenced on August 10 and would end on September 9.

Sri Ravishankar said the selected persons would be trained to become Art of Living instructors. They would be equipped to conduct Trauma Relief Programmes and bring techniques that facilitate physical, mental, emotional and social well being to the people of the war-ravaged country. "These trained youth would provide a big impetus to the Art of Linging's ongoing humanitarian initiatives in Iraq", he added.

He said that Iraqi Prime Minister Nauri Al Maliki has invited the Art of Living to start its prison reform programme in jails in the country. These youth would start programmes in Iraqi Jails.

Mr Ali Hummady of Baghdad, who is also Editor of a Magzine, said that the training programme was "it feels like breathing out all the stress of war and breathing in a new life. I propose to translate and publish books of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Arabic to spread knowledge of spirituality'.

Along with 16 Israelis, over 150 Arabs, including Iranians, Jordanians,Bahrainis, Lebanese, Omanis and Saudi Arabians are taking part in the special training.

UNI