The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, and Founder and Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, have congratulated the joint winners of the first Commonwealth Peace Prize, Rev Dr James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa.
The announcement of their latest achievement was made last week by the Government of Nigeria.
The Commonwealth Peace Prize is part of a multi-phase collaboration between the Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat to support and amplify peacebuilding initiatives across the 56 member states. In addition to the award, which is being given out for the first time, the winners will also share £50,000 to expand their ongoing work.
The religious leaders, who founded the Interfaith Mediation Centre in Nigeria, will receive the award on Monday, 10 March 2025, during the Commonwealth Day reception at Marlborough House. To mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize, a commemorative song by Andrew Lloyd Webber, ‘Love in Peace’, will be performed at the Marlborough House reception on Commonwealth Day by singers from the BRIT School and the Choir of The Queen’s College, Oxford. The song features original lyrics by Ben Elton and additional lyrics by Bruno Major.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General said:
“In a fragmented world facing multiple conflicts, it is critically important to focus on those who are engendering transformative and positive change. Helping to promote peace within our 56 member states, through constructive dialogue and ongoing advocacy, is the most important work that I do. I can think of no greater pleasure, than honouring these inspiring leaders from Nigeria on Commonwealth Day.”
The Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, Sir David Khalili, added:
“It is my fervent belief that peace and harmony are prerequisites to an empowered humanity. I heartily applaud these two men of faith, once enemies, who are now working in harmony to build peace in their country. It is my vision that this model will be used as a template to multiply our peacebuilding work throughout the Commonwealth.”
Over the past three decades, the Khalili Foundation has been a global leader in promoting interfaith and intercultural relations. The foundation has funded projects that use the power of art, culture and education to enable peacebuilding, including a long-term partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, dating back to 2017.
Rev Wuye and Imam Ashafa founded the Interfaith Mediation Centre to promote peace and mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims. Their work has been recognised internationally as an inspiring showcase of the power of forgiveness and collaboration in conflict resolution. Reflecting on winning the award, Rev Wuye and Imam Ashafa said:
"We are truly grateful to the Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat for this award and are humbled by the fact that it goes to a Christian and a Muslim from Nigeria. We have been fortunate to be surrounded by remarkable people and have played a role in supporting the transformation of many thousands of others.
"We dedicate this amazing achievement to them. We also hope that it serves as inspiration and for the next generation of peacebuilders."
As young men in the early 1990s, they were on opposite sides of warring factions. However, after suffering losses in the conflict, a friend challenged them to choose between being agents of destruction or peace. Together, they now lead others towards the path of peace and reconciliation.
In 1995, Wuye and Ashafa formed the Interfaith Mediation Centre, a religious grassroots organisation that has successfully mediated between Christians and Muslims throughout Nigeria. The Interfaith Mediation Centre, now with over 20,000 members, reaches into the militias and guides young people to prevent them from joining conflicts. They also train other influential groups, such as women, religious figures, and tribal leaders, to become civic peace activists.
The joint winners were chosen after a rigorous multi-stage selection process, which included Commonwealth High Commissioners, experts, and a representative from the Khalili Foundation.
Rev Wuye and Imam Ashafa will also serve as advisors for the Commonwealth's partnership with the Khalili Foundation to promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution. In addition, a selection of the extraordinary nominees for the prize has been chosen as Commonwealth Peace Prize Fellows. They will form a cadre of multidisciplinary experts who will mentor and upskill young people across the 56 member states.
The Commonwealth Peace Prize will be awarded every three years to a distinguished peacebuilder with a strong track record of faith and values-based engagement in conflict resolution, promotion of social cohesion and sustainable peace.
- 12 March: Marlborough House Conversation on “Building Peace: The Imam and the Reverend” (in-person and online)
Media contact
-
Charmaine Wright Head of Media Relations, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- +44 20 7747 6242 | E-mail
