Pint size Piccassos' draw on life of Shahbaz Bhatti to promote local peace.

Wilson Chowdhry, Yasmin Nwofor and James Johnson

Danny O'Brien (anti-knife UK), James Johnson (headteacher), Yasmin Nwofor, Bhupinder Rizvi (Mothers Against Guns) and Gray Drostle Designer.

Shahbaz Bhatti's memory will live on in the London Borough of Redbridge after an annual Peace Art Competition was launched at SS Peter's and Paul's Catholic Priamry School in Ilford.  A trophy was presented toYasmin Nwofor who won the competition with a design that included an image of a dove.

When asked about her inspiration for the design Miss Nwofor said "My design included a dove as it is an international symbol of peace, surrounded by colours representing the diverse people of Redbridge" 

Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association Wilson Chowdhry organised the Peace Art competition with Head Teacher Mr James Johnson earlier this year, seeking an opportunity to preserve the legacy of the slain Federal Minister of minorities, who spoke out against the persecution minorities face in Pakistan and was killed for his opposition to the controversial blasphemy laws of Pakistan.

Through local group the East Ilford Betterment Partnership the winning design will be inserted into the base of a new peace monument, that was installed in September last year at the location of the stabbing of  a local teenager.  A plaque with Shahbaz Bhatti's own words will describe his bravery and courage in the face of much provocation:

“I can be assassinated. I can be killed. But I will continue to follow the principles that I believe. I will continue to raise the voice of the voiceless."

The trophy was presented on 2nd March 2012 by Anti-violent crime group leaders and the designer of the peace monument who intended.

Organiser of the project Mr Chowdhry said;

"It is fitting that Shahbaz Bhatti should be remembered in this way, he inspired so many to think of others' more than themselves whilst promoting interfaith peace.  He was a champion for education and held a strong conviction that education could lead Pakistan out of it's societal nadir.  Shahbaz Bhatti's words will be inscribed in our streets for longevity and this annual art competition will sustain his legacy of peace through many generations.

Plans are afoot to develop this pilot scheme into a boroughwide art competition with an annual art display of the best entries in Ilford Central Library.

Mr Chowdhry is also Chairman of the East Ilford Business Partnership responsible for the Redbridge Peace Monument.  Learn more about Redbridge Peace monument by clicking link below:

http://eastilfordbettermentpartnership.blogspot.com/2011/11/peace-in-redbridge-innovative-way-to.html

Read the Ilford Recorder Article printed 8th March 2012:

Click image to enlarge.