Father Jacques Mourad, Prior of the Mar Elian monastery in Syria, who is a man of dialogue between Christianity and Islam, received yesterday the Archivio Disarmo - Golden Doves for Peace. It is an international award, which recognizes people from the world of information and civil society that are committed to peace.
There are other awardees such as Leonardo Palmisano (writer and editor), Elisabetta Soglio (Corriere Della Sera), Madi Ferrucci, Flavia Grossi, Roberto Persia (freelancer), and Nanni Moretti (director).
"The Golden Doves for Peace to Father Jacques Mourad is a memory of Syria, the Christians of the East, and Paolo Dall'Oglio." Andrea Riccardi explained with these words the significance of the 2019 award, which is aimed particularly at the Global South.
Jacques Mourad dedicated the award to Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, a brother in the mission, of whom there has been no news for a long time now. The drama of his imprisonment by the Isis for five months, his friendship with Dall'Oglio, and the strength of his prayer are recounted in the book "A Monk as Hostage. The struggle for peace of a prisoner of the jihadists" (Effatà editore, 2019). It is a book that emphasizes how Father Jacques is a man who chose prayer, dialogue, and nonviolence. A choice -as we read in the book and as he said at Palazzo Merulana- that saved not only his life but also the life of the other Christians.
The Disarmament Archive Award - Golden Doves for Peace
The Premio Archivio Disarmo - Colombe d'Oro per la Pace (Disarmament Archive Award - Golden Doves for Peace) remembers people in the world of information and civil society who stand for the ideals of peace, brotherhood, and coexistence among individuals. Hence, this award is for those who search for nonviolent solutions to conflicts.
It was founded by Luigi Anderlini and the 2019 award is in its 35th edition. The jury were Fabrizio Battistelli, Dora Iacobelli, Riccardo Iacona, Dacia Maraini, Andrea Riccardi, and Tana de Zulueta.
The 2019 International Golden Doves for Peace Award was given to Father Jacques Mourad.
You can also read:
Book sheet "A Monk as Hostage"
Who are the Christians of the East? This was discussed at the presentation of the book "A Monk as Hostage"
Prayer at the root of peace (Madrid 2019 conference)
Remembrance of Father Dall'Oglio, who was kidnapped in Syria, during the Disarmament Archive award ceremony.
