Mahatma is a sacred warrior : Mandela

New Delhi, Jan 29 (UNI) Describing Mahatma Gandhi as a "sacred warrior," former South African President and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela asked the world to re-invent his approach of non-violence and tolerance to resolve global conflicts.

In a televised message shown at the two-day International Conference on "Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment," organised by the Congress Party in commemoration of the centenary of launch of Satyagraha movement by the Mahatma in South Africa, he lauded the role played by Gandhi for a peaceful transformation in South Africa during his stay there during 1893-1914 as a lawyer.

"His (Gandhi's) philosophy contributed in no small measure to bringing about a peaceful transformation in South Africa and in healing the destructive human divisions that had been spawned by the abhorrent practice of apartheid," the 88-year-old leader said.

Mr Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for fighting white rule before becoming the country's first black President in 1994, said he was inspired by the non-violence of the Mahatma in his fight against the British rule which got India its freedom.

He said Gandhi combined ethics and morality with a steely resolve that refused to compromise with the oppressor (colonial British rule).

"In a world driven by violence and strife, Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence holds the key to human survival in the 21st century." Mr Mandela said it was a "strange coincidence" that the Mahatma launched his satyagraha movement at Empire theatre in Johannesburg on September 11, 1906. Referring to the terror attack on the World Tower in New York on September 11, 2004, he said, "9/11 has an entirely different and horrific connotation." UNI SH SB RS1940