KABUL - With just a week until Peace Day 2009, the United Nations today called on all parties to "silence their guns" and declare a ceasefire.

This message was reiterated by Sanjar Sohail, a member of a prominent NGO, the Peace Campaign Committee, at a media conference organised by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Monday in Kabul and, simultaneously, in Mazar, that brought together civil society leaders from across the country.

According to Mr Sohail, because Peace Day, this year, falls on the auspicious day of Eid, he asked all sides to "put down their weapons and stop fighting during the three holy days."

"The past experience has shown that there is no way to happiness by war. War has shown that people have been killed, children have died, and cities have been destroyed. Peace on the other hand will bring happiness to the country," he said.

UNAMA has, again, this year, spearheaded efforts to campaign for peace by organizing and supporting events throughout the month of September, across the country.

Along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), more than 1.2 million children under the age of five, in eight provinces, will be administered polio vaccines during a three-day long event.

These events and efforts to mobilize support to bring an end to the cycle of violence is, however, country-wide.

Besides organising kite flying competitions in Kabul and five other provinces and painting competitions in Herat and dance and music gatherings in Mazar to bring children together, to name just a few, UNAMA will also be organizing prayer meetings for peace.

Bamyan, too, is joining in the celebrations: Citizens will take part in a picturesque 'Trek for Peace', using a mine-cleared route to Shah Foladi on 25 September, that has been organised by various UN agencies, including United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Mine Action Coordination Centre for Afghanistan (MACCA).

Afghanistan's civil society, too, are playing an integral part in spreading the message of peace.

Saba Media Organisation, along with 17 other groups including Oxfam, will be celebrating Peace Day in 16 provinces of the country.

"We are also organizing events in Kandahar and Uruzgan. In Kabul we will have a big gathering with 2,000 pupils, who will participate in symbolic activities such as kite flying, a concert, and a sports show among other activities. Today, in Afghanistan we need urgent peace, which is why we want to encourage people to celebrate this day," added Abdul Rahimzi, Campaign Director for Saba Media.

Twenty-first September is observed as Peace Day, world-wide, each year.

It began in 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution establishing an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

The day provides an opportunity for everybody, regardless of nationality, faith, or background, to unite and demonstrate commitment towards peace.

Most importantly, it offers a chance to recognize what can be achieved, even if we have only twenty-four hours of peace.

By Aditya Mehta, UNAMA

Website: Special UNAMA Peace Day website