The historic Trades Hall in Glasgow was the chosen venue for WFWP's first Bridge of Peace Event in Scotland. The WFWP members from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle regions came together to organise the event and invite friends and contacts, old and new to the Ceremony.

On a busy Sunday afternoon on 16th of November the ladies started to gather in the Trades Hall Building in Glasgow as the Christmas Lights Party was in full swing in the city centre. The Trade Halls were built by Scotland’s most famous architect Robert Adam. The branch coordinator from Newcastle, Penny Aso was our MC for the event and introduced the audience to the day’s events in a friendly relaxed manner. The speakers were then introduced to speak on themes in line with the spirit of the Bridge of Peace Ceremony.

The regional coordinator for Scotland, Harumi Currie set the tone by explaining the motivation and aims of the ceremony.We then watched a DVD of the Bridge of Peace Ceremony and peace- inspiring efforts of the Women’s Federation in a particularly troubled part of the world; the Middle East.

Dr Nina Baker, the Green Party City Councillor for the Ward in which the meeting took place shared how all her preconceptions about women in Syria were totally dispelled when she went there on a fact finding trip. She discovered that they were well-educated, independent and active in their communities. Dr Baker has travelled widely and promotes anti-war and anti-nuclear. Our final speaker was Mrs. Shamaaila Noorane who invests herself in many volunteer projects, and is a regular contributor to interfaith activities in the city. She talked about woman’s nature and role as a peace maker and all guests agreed with big applause. Mrs Shamaaira Noorane

We then moved onto the main event, the Bridge of Peace Ceremony. Each new pair of sisters embraced, exchanged a flower and walked across the Bridge of Peace together.  It was a very moving experience for all participants, and the atmosphere buzzed with budding friendships, and exchanging of contact details. Once all the sisterhoods had been created Mrs Caroline Uchima, Director of the European Sanctuary of the World Peace Prayer Society stepped forward to lead us all in reciting the Sisterhood Pledge. She also presented a Peace Pole to the Women’s Federation symbolising our united efforts to contribute to the cause of World Peace. We then made a toast together to celebrate all the new sisterhoods that had been created and wished that they will blossom and grow to the benefit of our families and communities. Mrs. Bailie &  Dr Baker

Our MC Penny urged us to look into all the possibilities of growing our friendship; through visiting each other and investing in projects together. Finally three Ambassadors’ of Peace Awards were presented to Dr Baker, Mrs Shamaaila and Mrs Uchima respectively in recognition of their efforts to promote good causes to the benefit of all. As a surprise, we asked four men (husbands of our guests and long-time volunteer of WFWP) to cross the bridge. Two pairs did it happily and all the women cheered.

Everyone then enjoyed drinks and snacks, together prepared by our sisters and many e mails, phone numbers and ideas were exchanged! We look forward to many new projects that can spring from this memorable Bridge of Peace Ceremony. It was very inspiring and uplifting. All ladies felt they were not ‘guests’ but that the event was ‘our event’. The display and video clips of the WFWP and the GPF were presented and the guests expressed their interest in the GPF in London.

One guest expressed the following;

‘Thank you very much. I really enjoyed joining all of you.’ ’I am involved in organising Film Festival and would like to propose film screening – happy to collaborate with WFWP Scotland.’ ‘I made many friends in short time and I am thankful to you for every thing. I love to take part in your programmes.’