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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Visiting Leaders To Attend Commonwealth Day Celebrations In London

9 March 1995

Several visiting Heads of Government and other high-ranking government ministers will join in celebrating Commonwealth Day in London on Monday 13 March. The special ceremonies will include a multi-faith observance at Westminster Abbey in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth. Afterwards, The Queen will attend a reception hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, at Marlborough House.  The dignitaries attending the  reception will include Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica and Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia.

Chief Anyaoku said: "Commonwealth Day is a day to reflect on the ideals and values which unite the association's 51 member states with their 1.5 billion peoples. With Commonwealth Day being marked in every member country, we are this year especially proud and honoured that so many visiting Heads of Government will be able to join us in our celebrations here in London."

At the multi-faith observance at Westminster Abbey earlier in the day, leaders of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faiths will join in offering prayers for peace and the flags of member countries will be paraded. The message from the Head of the Commonwealth, which will be read at the multi-faith observance by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, will also be broadcast throughout the association.  Similar observances will be held in many other Commonwealth countries.

This year the Commonwealth will concentrate on how it can employ its unique characteristics and strengths to help heal the divisive elements in our global society by enhancing tolerance and understanding.  This is the theme in The Queen's message. A poster which has been distributed to schools throughout the Commonwealth also stresses the value of global neighbourliness.

 

 

95/6  9 March 1995

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
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Email: info@commonwealth.int