Dubai, Oct 1 (IANS) A special function will be held in this West Asian metropolis Oct 2 to mark the International Day of Non-Violence, observed around the world on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Indian consulate in Dubai, along with the Indian High School here, will jointly host the function at 5 p.m. in the school premises, a consulate statement said Thursday.

The programme will begin with recitations from the Koran, the Bible and the Bhagawad Gita, similar to the manner in which Gandhi — father of the Indian nation — used to hold his public meetings.

It will include hymns and dances by students as well as audio-visual presentations on the Mahatma.

Among those who will address the gathering are United Arab Emirates Minister for Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Bin Khaled Al Qasimi, Chairman of Ras al-Khaimah Free Trade Zone Shaikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, and Consul General of India in Dubai Venu Rajamony, the statement said.

The UN General Assembly had adopted a resolution June 15, 2007, to observe Oct 2 every year as International Day of Non-Violence.

According to the resolution, it is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”.

It reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.