Martial arts for global peace

Secondary college students brokered the message of Middle East peace last week at a karate demonstration and breakfast briefing hosted by Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne.

The students were briefed on the success of Budo for Peace (BFP), a Middle Eastern martial arts organisation formed to promote peaceful co-existence globally across religion and culture.

Pupils from Sydney Secondary College’s Leichardt campus, Granville High School and Emmanuel College were shown a martial arts demonstration by instructors Danny Hakim and Abed El Salaime.

President and founder of BFO, Mr Hakim hopes their vision of peace and respect continues to spread, believing martial arts can teach people conflict resolution and mutual respect.

“Children are brought together through martial arts, it brings communities together,” Mr Hakim said. “It doesn’t matter what ethnic group or religion a person is … when they turn up to martial arts training, they wear the same clothing and behave in the same manner and conduct; the only thing different is the belt.

“This foundation of respect helps to break down fear and children then realise they are the same as each other, no matter what their ethnicity.  Martial arts is like a culture in itself, bridging the gap between other cultures.”

Mr Byrne said BFO is a positive way of teaching children conflict resolution and promoting a message of peace in the Middle East.

“Budo For Peace is doing the sort of ground-breaking people to people work that is the best hope for peace in the Middle East,” he said.

“For our high school students to hear about this sort of positive approach to resolving conflict – even in an area as politically divided as the Middle East – will be an inspiration for all of them.”

Mr Hakim believes there is no quick solution to conflict occurring between Israel and Palestine, but said his “grassroots” BFP initiative helps to break down ignorance and fear through bringing communities together.

“People can rise above religious and ethnic conflict in the Middle East through the message of respect, which is fundamental to martial arts training,” Mr Hakim said.

“It is powerful when communities get together … you are breaking down ignorance and fear. When you are doing a sport with a component of fear, everyone has to control and learn to deal with fear and control.”

BFP now comprises of more than 600 students from Jewish, Muslim, Arab and Bedouin backgrounds in 34 clubs.