A “Sunrise Peace Pilgrimage” will gather on the 6:30 a.m. ferry to Robben Island on December 5 to plant a Peace Pole on behalf of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, which is meeting in Cape Town from 1-8 December.

Former Mayor of Cape Town Mr. Gordon Oliver will dedicate the Pole, which bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in English, Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans. The Peace Pole will be accepted by Professor Andre Odendaal, the head the Robben Island Museum, as a special reminder of the Parliament, which is bringing thousands of people of all religions to celebrate “A New Day Dawning” in Cape Town.

Blessings of the Peace Pole will be conducted by the Very Reverend Boudewijn Goudriaan, Rector General of the Liberal Catholic Church in Johannesburg, Mr. John Morton, Director of the Institute for Individual and World Peace in California, and representatives of various faiths from the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

The Island, which had been the high-security prison of Cape Town since colonial days, once held many political prisoners including former President Nelson Mandela, who wrote his famous prison notebooks here.

Robben Island has become a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit, representing the struggle of people everywhere to overcome tyranny and obtain democracy and freedom for all. Plans are underway to build a conference center as a legacy for future generations on the north side of the Island, but first there will be a millennium celebration including the participation of Mr. Mandela that will be televised around the world.

A highlight of the Peace Pole dedication will be music provided by the Isibane Youth Choir, who are coming from New Cross Roads and Nyanga to sing for the occasion. Youth groups from the Parliament will carry the flags of many nations in a colorful display of international unity from the ferry to the Island. As with all Parliament events, the public is welcome.

May Peace Prevail on Earth!