uj W 1 i 2005 11 South Avenue, Shadforth, Durham DH6 1LB
Mr Kofi A Annan fafurJ tih Secretary General /vVr^ / > United Nations ^ S%~ ** S-3800 frA/A-M -ev New York, NY 10017 p*"^"' ' United States of America rn^K**,
5 May 2005 Dear Secretary General Annan United Nations Association of Malaysia and Prem Rawat i1 t5 I wish to bring to your attention a somewhat sensitive matter concerning your apparent endorsement of a self-professed "inspirational speaker" known as Prem Rawat. He recently addressed the United Nations Association of Malaysia, as described in the two attached press releases. You will note that both articles clearly focus on Mr Rawat, and both clearly convey the impression that you give Mr Rawat and his "message" your own personal endorsement. It may be simply that Mr Rawat's people are giving his speech to the UNAM rather more "spin" than they should. If so, it is for your press office to deal with. But if it really was your intention to give your own personal endorsement to Prem Rawat, I think it only fair to inform you that this man is better known by an alias he used until only quite recently,
Prem Rawat was formerly known as Guru Maharaj Ji, the so-called "Perfect Master" and one-time head of the Divine Light Mission, a personality cult that came to prominence in the West in the 1970s and which has been identified as a cult by academic authorities on the subject. At the time, his followers were taught that he was God incarnate. Today he is stili the autonomous leader of an exclusive sect to which people are initiated with secret practices known as the "Knowledge".
For someone with his track record for taking advantage of gullibie people (and growing extremely rich on their devotion), to have won the endorsement of the United Nations must be a crowning achievement, I suspect, however, that he is in fact using this "endorsement" to provide himself with a cloak of apparent legitimacy - one which is quite undeserved. If this is indeed the case, I hope you can take every action necessary to brinq such a blatant abuse of people's trust to light. Christopher Giles Enc. /«« Home Ti Work Te email: q u a r I <•I) Source - The Prem Rawat Foundation (www.tprf.org) United Nations" Kofi Annan Sends Best Wishes for Event With Prem Rawat Monday April 25, 9:17 am ET KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 25 /PRNewswire/ - Responding to an invitation from the United Nations Association of Malaysia in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, Prem Rawat, known also as Maharaji, addressed a distinguished audience which included members of Royal families, ambassadors, cabinet ministers, and members of the Asian media. Welcoming the guests, Datuk Dr. Ian Chfa, Secretary General of the United Nations Association of Malaysia, former President of the Malaysian Institute of Directors, and Vice-Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Management, declared: "It is indeed an honor to introduce such a distinguished man, Prem Rawat speaks about peace from the heart. He inspires and guides people to find peace from within and offers a simple yet profound message of peace," Introducing Prem Rawat, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, President of the United Nations Association of Malaysia, former Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Defense Information, and currently Chairman of the Ethics Committee of the United Malays National Organization, Malaysia's ruling party, said: "Prem Rawat is an international speaker acknowledged for his profound message of peace, particularly inner peace and self-fulfillment. We at the United Nations Association of Malaysia and the United Nations Development Programme see his message as a true reflection of the hopes, aspirations, and ideals of the United Nations, whose aim is international peace and security. All encouragement and support should be given to The Prem Rawat Foundation for its noble efforts to spread the message of Prem Rawat, as well as to bring peace and happiness to the needy. Let us support the message of Prem Rawat, empowering us to generate the hope of peace in this world of despair. The foremost concern of the international community is peace. Prem Rawat says, 'Peace is possible.1 Let us listen to his message." Prior to Prem Rawat's address, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen read a special message sent by the United Nations' Secretary General Kofi A. Annan to the organizers and participants of this special event with Prem Rawat. Kofi Annan's message ended with: "Historic, fundamental progress is possible. But it will depend on the will of governments and on the engagement of groups and citizens such as you. In that spirit, I wish you all the best for a successful event." This event marks the beginning of a tour of the North Pacific for Prem Rawat. Over the next weeks, he will address audiences in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia. from http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050425/iam067.html?.v=8 April 26, 2005 18:46 PM g U.N. September Summit A Time Of Decision, Says Kofi Annan KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Member states of the United Nations must be ready to take bold steps towards instituting far-reaching reforms at a summit meeting of the world body in September this year. In making the call, U.N. Secretary General Kofi A. Annan, said the summit on development, security and human rights must be a time for decision on the proposed reforms for the world body. "I hope that Governments wiil come to New York ready to take bold steps, including ways to adapt the United Nations itself," he said in his speech given in conjunction with "Peace Is Possible," a special event organised by the United Nations Association Malaysia (UNAM) and The Prem Rawat Foundation here recently. His speech was read out by the UNAM President, Tengku Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Rithauddeen, who also officiated the event. In March this year, Kofi proposed reforms of the international security system and affordable ways to reach the Millennium Development Goals, a blueprint adopted five years ago by world governments to building a better world in the 21st century. Among his recommendations was a timetable for rich countries to combat poverty in poor nations as well as a resolution on when military interventions could be justified. Following the September 11 incident and the deep divisions over the war in Iraq, "the world arrived at a fork in the road; a transformed security environment in which the international community could either agree on how best to handle the challenges we face, or else remain at odds, letting history take the decisions for us," he said. "I have put forward an agenda that I believe is both bold and achievable - one that will provide a focus of discussion and debate in the months leading up to the summit. "Historic, fundamental progress is possible but it will depend on the will of governments, and the engagement of groups and citizens," Annan said. Meanwhile, commenting on the "Peace Is Possible" event, featuring an address by international speaker Prem Rawat on the subject of peace, Tengku Rithauddeen said UNAM and the United Nations Development Programme saw Prem Rawat's message as a "true reflection of the hopes, aspirations and ideals of the United Nations whose aim is international peace and security." Prem Rawat is an extraordinary speaker who has addressed over seven million people in over 50 countries over the past 30 years on the subject of peace. He has spoken at the Italian Parliament, the UN in Bangkok, Harvard University and other institutions all over the world. He founded the Prem Rawat Foundation, a non-religious, non-political and non-profit organisation to share his unique perspective of life and peace on earth. -- BERNAMA from http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=131270 Address j^j http : //www . googie , com/search?hl=en&q=prem+rawat Pop-Up Stopper m C$ $ >>> '• ij ^ ! [fi. j Web images Groups News Fro ogle Local more» Search Web Maharaji - The Prern Rawat Foundation The Prem Rawat Foundation supports Prem Rawat's efforts to help people live fulfilled lives and thereby to help bring harmony to people across the world. The Prem Rawat Foundation - Ma ha rail - Pretn Rawat The Prem Rawat Foundation supports Msharaji's efforts to help people live fulfilled lives and thereby to help taring harmony to people across the world. >.".• '••AV tpM L.'iVpferm_r Prem Rawat's fDrmerfpllciwei's.ptesent Ex-Prernie.Orti. the iiuth ... Presented by ex-followers of the ex-"Lord o1 the Universe," Maharaji. lnform,rrtion in English, French, and Spanish on Prem Rawat, Elan Vital, and tire Divine ... •.vvi.'vv ?•• -premie org.'- - >' ••;>:; \-v' The Three Face? ofPrem Pal Singh Rawat - Prem Rawat.. -...Manarai i ...... of non Indians attending to fete Prem Rawat as their divinely appointed Guru. ... forbidden at Prem Rawat's speaking events held elsewhere in the world. ... '.••.••••vw e .-piernii? nrc.;i!:iage5./The1":ii'eerace»otPr'rrriPslTiirii;ihf!'s«'at hlrri - !-•!; - .dint ad. Info United Nations' Kofi Annan sends best wishes for event with Prem Rawat. , More lhan 1 5 million people seek Prem Rawat's inspiration and guidance ... • ••••.••/•.- •:•:-«>:; -ni^ne!.1 • ? ... Maharaji- The Prem Rawat Foundation - News, materials, events. Design and content ©2001 -2004 Prern Rawat... The Pern Rawat Foundation. .••.•'•."•••'.• ;V:lh.Sf ^l.net'' . ril: .. • ••:....• ..!-!•• UNITED NATIONS WK% NATIONS UNIES THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE FOR "PEACE IS POSSIBLE" FORUM Kuala Lumpur, 20 April 2005 This is a special year for the United Nations. It not only marks the 60th anniversary of our founding at the end of the Second World War, It is also a year in which we are thinking ahead, and engaging in a constructive debate about the future: how to build a collective security system able to meet our common threats; how to defeat poverty; and how to increase respect for human, dignity .in every land. Five years ago, all the world's Governments adopted the Millennium Declaration, a blueprint for building a better world in the 21st century. That landmark document captured the aspirations of the international community for a world united by shared values, striving to achieve peace and decent standards of living for every man, woman and child through a global partnership for development. Bui extraordinary developments have taken place since the Declaration was adopted -- most notably the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States, and the deep divisions over the war in Iraq. The world arrived at a fork in the road: a transformed security environment in which the international community could either agree on how best to handle the challenges we face, or dse remain at odds, letting history take the decisions for us, with all that that implies for our safely and prosperity. That is why, in March this year, I placed before Member Slates a report setting out proposals for far-reaching reforms of the international security system, affordable ways to reach the Millennium Development Goals, and concrete action to increase respect for human rights. 1 have put forward an agenda that I believe is both bold and achievable - one thai will provide a focus of discussion and debate in the months leading up to a summit meeting at the United Nations in September. The summit must be a time of decision. 1 hope that Governments will come, to New York ready to take bold steps, including on ways to adapt the United Nations itself. Historic, fundamental progress is possible. But it will depend on the will of Governments, and on the engagement of groups and citizens such as you. In that spirit, 1 wish you all the best for a successful event. Kofi A. Annan UNITED NATIONS NATIONS U NIE S EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL CABINET DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL OUTGOING FACSIMILE DATE: 12 April 2005 TO: Tengku Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen FROM: Edward Mortimer President UNAM Director of Communications Kuala Lumpur EOSG New York TEL NO: TEL NO: (212)9634092 FAX NO: 603 2092 5088 FAX NO: (212)9635965 SUBJECT Message for "Peace is Possible" Forum, Kuala Lumpur, 20 April 2005 TOTAL NUMBER OF TRANSMITTED PAGES INCLUDING THIS PAGE: 2 I have pleasure in sending you the Secretaiy-GeneraPs message for "Peace is Possible" forum, along with our best wishes for a successful event. Yours sincerely. UNA UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (I NAM) (Persatuan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu Malaysia) c/o Tengku Tan Sri Dato1 Seri Ahmad Ritha« MALAYSIA -WMAVP 24lh March 2005 HONORARY PATRON Tun Dr. Mahathir Sin Mohamad H.E. Kofi Annan PATRON Tan ;!rl Dato' Llm Kok Thay Secretary-General United Nations UN Secretariat NEW YORK NY 10017 USA GOVERNING COUNCIL YM Tongku Tan Sri Dato' Sorf (Dr) Ahmad Rlthaudcteen nnan, President Tan Sri (Dr) Razalt Ismail Deputy President Re: Request for a Message on PEACE for our Event ftatuk Dr Ian Chla PEACE IS POSSIBLE" Forum on 20'" April 2005 in ilacretarv'-General Kuala Lumpur Onto1 K N Nadarofah Depi-rty Secretary-General Allow me to congratulate Your Excellency for initiating the I 'N Tan SM Mohd Amin Osman Reform which will bring in a new era to the United Nations, i am Treasurer IHr Richard Leete sure mankind will remember you For the extraordinary et'iurt in JN Mesiaent (Coordinator / UNDP Resident your bringing new life to the United Nations. Representative Wlsmc, Pulra Reprosenlatlve We in United Nations Association Malaysia (UNAM) is in liill support of yotir efforts especially in bringing peace to our world, — --— COUNCIL MEMBERS ~- and in this vein we have invited the well known internativinul Tan Sr) Hosmy Agarn speaker Prem Rawflt to Address us on the subject of peac:- Tan Stl PaduUa Hajjah Saleha Mohd AH Datuk Dr. Samuel Abraham entitled "PEACEIMPOSSIBLE " which we have invited U_ND].' m Qcrta1 Khor £ng Mea Miaiwsm^tio'.jbe our^co-orgaiiizer. We would be most grutelul i« Dato' P. G. Llm Datuk Ruslan Khalld have a short _mes_s_age on peace from Your Excellency r'or tlu. Tan Jsl Chua Hook Chin occasion. Tan Sri Dafo' Seri Dr. M Mahadevon o1 Sort Kea Yong Wee Hdriram Jayoram I thank you in advance for your kind indulgence. COUNCIL OF ADVISORS tan Sri Dato (Dr) Kh!r Johail Yours sincerely Tun Ha|i Omar Ong Yoke Lin Ian Sri Datp' Musa Hltam Tan Srf Dato' Dr. Awang Had SaHeh Tan Sri Or.'io' Dr. Noorciln Sapleo Doi'O' V C Goorge TENGKTJ TAN SRI DATO' SERI AHMAD Palo' Munlr Ma|ld President UNAM AUDITOR Ramll Ibrahim - EXECUTIVE SECRETARY" - Ms. Mlmt Email: •[email protected] 24/03 '05 THU 03:26 [TX/RX NO 868.11 Si Oil!