| April 25, 2006 |
| Egyptian Ambassador Visits Soka Gakkai |
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| Ambassador Hisham Badr (left) and Hiromasa Ikeda (right) meet at Soka Gakkai headquarters |
His Excellency Hisham Badr, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Japan, visited Soka Gakkai headquarters on April 24 and met with Vice General Director Hiromasa Ikeda. He expressed appreciation for SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's visit to Cairo, Egypt in 1992 and his meeting with President Hosni Mubarak that contributed to furthering exchanges between their two countries. He also stated his hopes for further development of Cultural Activitiess with the Min-On Concert Association and exchanges between Cairo University and Soka University. Mr. Badr also concurred with the SGI President's efforts to expand civilizational dialogues with various faiths, including Islam. He felt Mr. Ikeda's efforts will help cut chains of mistrust and hatred that are prevalent in world society and deepen understanding and respect for diversity. Counsellor Karam Khalil, Culture, Education and Science Bureau, of the Egyptian Embassy, Min-On President Hiroyasu Kobayashi, Soka Gakkai International Affairs Director Kenji Yoshigo and Associate Director Eiji Ouchi were also present.
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| US-Japan Friendship for Peace Festival in Southern California |
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| Japanese folk dancers perform the rigorously animated "Awa" dance |
On April 16, SGI-USA hosted the "2006 US-Japan Friendship for Peace" festival at the SGI World Culture Center in Santa Monica, California, USA. Begun in 2005 to promote amity between the people of USA and Japan by the SGI-USA Southern California Japanese Language Group, this year's event drew over 2,000 local residents, a two-fold increase over last year's attendance. The Kenjinkai Kyogikai (Southern California Residents Society Council), Tokushima Kenjinkai (People of Tokushima Prefecture Society) and the Fukushima Kenjinkai (People of Fukushima Prefecture Society) supported the festival. The Ikeda Kings Orchestra, Japanese folk dancers, jazz dancers, the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Classical dancers and choruses performed. World-class jazz pianist Herbie Hancock gave a solo performance. A UCLA professor spoke on how peace begins in the family and community. A Japanese instructor said the two hours spent sharing the cultures of the USA and Japan passed by all too quickly. A public high school teacher was moved by the courtesy of the youthful volunteer staff.
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| SGI-USA youth taiko group performs a dynamic cadence |
During the event, the California State Assembly, Los Angeles County, and the Cities of El Monte and Walnut recognized the peace contributions of the SGI and its leader SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, as well as Mrs. Kaneko Ikeda.
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