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Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad were honoured with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2023.

 

The award celebrates their lifelong dedication to fostering harmony between Israelis and Palestinians through non-violent initiatives such as music, dialogue, and community engagement.

 

The selection committee, chaired by former Chief Justice of India T. S. Thakur, recognized the exceptional contributions of these two advocates of peace. Their work highlights the importance of mutual understanding and collaboration in addressing long-standing conflicts.

 

Daniel Barenboim, a celebrated classical pianist and conductor, has been a driving force in using music to bridge cultural divides. Born in Argentina, Barenboim’s illustrious career includes performances with renowned orchestras worldwide.

 

Beyond music, his initiatives, like the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, have brought together Israeli and Palestinian musicians, symbolising unity and coexistence in a region marked by discord.

 

Ali Abu Awwad, a Palestinian peace activist, has emerged as a leading voice for non-violent resistance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Raised in a politically active refugee family, Abu Awwad's experiences of incarceration and his mother’s hunger strike for visitation rights profoundly shaped his outlook.

 

Inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, he advocates for non-violence as a path to achieving dignity, freedom, and sustainable peace.

 

The virtual ceremony saw participation from distinguished figures, including Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, former Vice President M. Hamid Ansari, former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, and Justice T. S. Thakur. Mariam C. Said, a long-time collaborator of Barenboim, accepted the award on his behalf.

 

Shivshankar Menon delivered the welcome address, while Hamid Ansari conferred the award. The event underscored the enduring relevance of peace and disarmament in today’s polarised world.

 

In his acceptance speech, Ali Abu Awwad reflected on his journey toward embracing non-violence. He shared insights from his time in prison, where he found inspiration in the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

 

Emphasising the core of their teachings, he highlighted the need to recognize and protect each other’s humanity as a foundation for lasting peace.