In 2023, the European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD) University for Peace, established by the United Nations, Belgrade, celebrated its Jubilee and its 40 years of activities with continuity in its unique role, bringing together science, politics, and diplomacy, educating future leaders, and initializing a togetherness of intellectual potentials of the West and the East as well as a strengthening of relations between the North and the South. In 2018, the writer brought Belgrade and Kuala Lumpur together via Athens through the project Eurasian Bridges for Peace. Its driving force in Malaysia is the Gual Periok Foundation and its president, the late Dato Halo-N, who made an important contribution to the ECPD Jubilee.

Eurasian Bridges for Peace works in the name of democracy and is a means to push back the clash of cultures as it facilitates a new global dialogue between Christianity and Islam with the guiding principle of equity and compassion, concepts and sentiments found in the Holy Bible and the Al Quran. Our metaphor of Eurasian Bridges for Peace can change human understanding towards peace, civilization, and modernization. It comes with the hope that the influence of old doctrines will be set aside as higher educational centers of learning around the world adopt it, especially in Malaysia.

The ECPD has a voice with a world reach that continues to condemn any misrepresentation and misuse of world religions, creeds, and value systems. It promotes respect and tolerance in the contemporary world. With its track record in peace and development, it is improving its signal-to-noise ratio through its undertaking of the project Eurasian Bridges for Peace, which endeavors to create a caring society, to foster compassion and cooperation, and to promote Goethe’s Al Quranic expression: To God belongs the Orient, to God belongs the Occident. Northern and Southern lands rest in the peace of his hands.

It reinforced already ongoing activities, including a dialogue between religions promoted by the late Idriss Jazairy, an eminent Islamic scholar, in keeping with ECPD’s foundational commitment to peace, cooperation, and international relations. World Philosophy Day is a special day first proposed by Mohamed Achaari, Minister of Culture, Morocco, and then organized by the Association of the Friends of Philosophy in Fez, and later carried forward by UNESCO. On that day in 2023, the ECPD designated Gual Periok Foundation's Main Elder (Orang Tua Utama) Dato' Philosopher Prof. Dr. Halo-N as its Director General, Eurasian Bridges for Peace, with the writer as its Executive Chairman.

All Bridge activities are conducted in Malaysia through the Gual Periok Foundation. Two outcomes are a new advanced diploma and the Rahmah Sale, which is conducted by Mr. Embong Mohd Fadir. The Rahmah Sales held on 23 and 24 November 2024 attracted more than 5,000 customers to purchase goods at subsidized prices, and satisfaction with the subsidized prices was expressed. Furthermore, the shoppers described the sale as easing their financial burden, while in particular, it enabled them to prioritize school-related expenses for their children. The sale presented 25 selected essential and subsidized items, including rice, cooking oil, flour, eggs, and sugar.

image host Selected items for Rahmah Sale under the sales banner show of the Gual Periok Foundation and Eurasian Bridges for Peace-UN-ECPD.

The Rahmah Sale as a sales initiative offering subsidized prices for selected essential goods to help ease the financial burden of the public, proved highly successful. The program was first introduced by the Malaysian government to be implemented through collaborations with supermarkets and NGOs. It demonstrates a productive relationship between the Gual Periok Foundation and the government. In support of this government initiative, the Rahmah Sale was held on 23 and 24 November 2024 at the Economic Zone of the Eurasian Bridges for Peace-UN-ECPD project in Kuala Berang, Terengganu, Malaysia. This event was made possible through the joint efforts of Pasaraya D.M Sdn Bhd, Gual Periok Foundation, Eurasian Bridges for Peace- UN-ECPD, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Malaysia.

One encouraging factor coming from Malaysia is a governmental pioneering project of philosophical studies, beautifully expressed as turning institutions of higher learning into (more) pleasant gardens that revive the spirit of humanity through showers of philosophical study, which was received as a facilitating force to educational programs. In 2022, the ECPD Outreach Diplomas were conferred on 14 successful Malaysian graduates, all in possession of previous university degrees and practicing professionals in various fields. The course leading towards the diploma was also conceptualized as the basis for a new global dialogue between Christianity and Islam.

The writer believes that his concept, Eurasian Bridges for Peace, is a most worthy activity, positive international news, and a story worth telling. In a world where Peace is mostly absent and the application of Philosophy is extremely limited in its application history is being made through Eurasian Bridges for Peace. History is being made as European and Christian countries recognize the achievements of postgraduate students in an Asian and an Islamic country, Malaysia.

Maybe, just maybe, Malaysia will revive the spirit of humanity through showers of philosophical studies and turn more institutions of higher learning into pleasant gardens. In such an endeavor, the European Center for Peace and Development stands in support of this inspiring concept. The president of the ECPD, Federico Mayor, and former director general of UNESCO supported wholeheartedly these activities and stated that this study of philosophy and the Al Quran is an additional step to introduce Al Quran philosophy to the entire world adding it breaks new cultural ground.

The planned Convocation (November 2025) will be more than a celebration of Advanced Diploma Studies in Quranic Philosophy under the Faculty of Quranic Philosophy, Gual Periok Foundation and the University for Peace UN-ECPD; it will also examine curricula adjustments and incorporate a reflective retreat as a means to take measure of how our Bridge stands as it withstands the force of bouncing, shaking, and oscillations from earthquakes and side winds. It will include the introduction of Al Quran philosophy program for prisoners, the replanting of banana trees as a result of Moko disease, and the plowing and improving the land.

Moko is recognized by discoloration caused by bacteria transmitted via insects, farm tools, plant detritus, soil, as well as root contact with ailing plants, impeding the circulation of water and nutrients to the higher parts of the banana plant. Finally, the subject of violence as a major societal problem will be discussed and as a field of study within public health curricula under the umbrella of philosophy.

Current breaking news: the Yayasan Gual Periok is already planning a celebratory World Philosophy Day 2025 with a convocation to celebrate the graduation of students who complete their studies in 2025 within the framework of Eurasian Bridges for Peace. It will include a forum with presentations showcasing universal and Quranic philosophies, discussions on the strengthening of its network and building of partnerships, and a reflective philosophical retreat.