Africa Spiritual Day recommenced in 2024 with an edifying program under the theme, Educating Africans to be Spiritually fit in the 21st Century at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia on Wednesday 22 May 2024.
The celebrations brought together spiritual and religious leaders along with political representatives, traditional leaders, Member states of the AU and Civil Society representatives as well as virtual attendees from across the globe.
Amongst the panellists, were Imboni Dr. uZwi-Lezwe Radebe, Chairman of IAPD Africa, Dr. Taj Hamad, International Coordination of IAPD, Father Bissilia Mbila, Chaplain of the Catholic Church AU and Dr. Katherine Rigney Co-Chairman of UPF Africa just to name a few. Moreover, the attendance of traditional healers (izangoma) from A.A.F.I.S who in their opening prayer invited the good ancestral spirits and indigenous deities to the celebration, which was a first at the AU.
Africa Spiritual Day at the AU headquarters coincides with an African revival period characterized by a growing number of Africans worldwide seeking guidance to discover their spiritual identity. Additionally, the world is turning to spirituality to find solutions to local issues and cultivate a peaceful culture, which validates Imboni Dr. uZwi-Lezwe Radebe’s June 3, 2018, spiritual revelation regarding the arrival of African revival.
Furthermore, the celebration comes after Imboni’s visit to the AU in April where the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development IAPD Africa under Imboni’s chairmanship signed a Memorandum of Understanding which serves as a solution to a need for Alkebulan being restored to her indigenous roots.
Spirituality as a reality that touches on every facet of life, the panellists spoke spirituality as something greater than one self, In his speech, Dr. Taj Hamad discussed the various ways to educate Africans to be spiritually fit for the twenty-first century, including youth engagement and the creation of programs designed to help young people stay rooted in their spiritual beliefs while navigating the challenges of the modern world.
Ms. Hazel Dixon, a representative of the Citizens & Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), spoke on behalf of Dr. Monique Nsanzabanagwa and focused on the significance of spiritual and religious leaders in the society. “Spiritual and religious leaders are well suited to deal with community-based concerns and can play a significant role in The reconciliation and establishing a culture of peace. They can assist, advise and enlighten political leaders at national, regional and continental levels, which will enable political leaders to take a holistic approach and profer more sustainability solutions to issues affecting their consistencies” she said.
Co- Chairperson of the Universal Peace Federation UPF Africa, Ambassador Adama Doumbia reckoned Africa Spiritual Day as a day to reflect on the spiritual heritage that binds the people of Alkebulan as a continent, “we need to reaffirm our commitment to the principles and shared mission. Let us draw inspiration from our diverse spiritual traditions and unite our efforts to create a future of peace, prosperity and true happiness for Africa” he added.
Global Spirituality Award recipient and dubbed The Shining Role Model by Dr Hamad, Imboni Dr. uZwi-Lezwe Radebe emphasized in his speech the need for Africans to relearn the true ways of Alkebulan, what it means to be spiritual and how it is that the ancients connected with the spiritual dimension and spiritual deities. “ It is only through the acceptance, acknowledgment and practice of African spirituality in its true and most honest form that we can begin to direct Africa back to her spiritual path. Thus the definition of spirituality will serve as a starting point for Africans to understand what spirituality is. African Spirituality is the understanding that a spirit comes from the spirit realm it is the recognition of the significance of spiritual matters in the African indigenous context it is that acknowledgement that a person first is a spirit before they are flash furthermore it is the comprehension that other spirits exist for instance the Creator, indigenous deities, our spiritual guides, our ancestors and other human spirits…” guided Imboni.
A presentation by African Hidden Voices, a research organisation that was founded to retrace the steps of Alkebulan (African) indigenous spiritual heroes, the ancient ways and practices of Alkebulan (Africa) pre-colonial and missionary invasion highlighted the African Ubuntu philosophy showing the essence of Ubuntu as a trait derived from the spirituality of the people of Alkebulan.
Deacon Terefe Worku, Ambassador for peace for UPF Ethiopia shared a presentation pertaining to the Mental Decolonization and Decolonizing the African Education System. “ Africans need to trace back to their history, culture and heritage and have their own religion/spirituality, freedom and confidence in” he encouraged.
The celebrations consisted of performances by the Ethiopian Protestant Choir who gave a mellifluous chorus accompanied by the trilling ululating sounds and a serene performance by the International Sufi School of Peace and Service.
Again, Africa Spiritual Day from Ethiopia to the world was a great success stirring a social media frenzy on X (Twitter) as it gained popularity from audiences across the continent and beyond bearing witness to spirituality taking lead.
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