The Torch Bearer Award was presented to Mohsin Mohi-ud-Din, an activist and filmmaker, on November 17th, 2023, at Panorama of My Silence-Heart Cafe in Queens, New York.
Mohsin was in New York for the DOCNYC Film Festival, which featured the world premiere of a short film about a young Syrian refugee that he had co-produced, called "Between Me and the Sea".
Mohsin was introduced by Pragati Pascale, with whom Mohsin had worked at the United Nations at the start of his career. Pragati explained how Mohsin had founded #MeWeInternational, a global non-profit that teaches young refugees in more than 12 countries storytelling and filmmaking skills to empower them to tell their own life stories, for healing, mental health and leadership development.
Singers performed the Peace Run song and "A New World of Peace", which Mohsin enjoyed. He is also a musician and has played in several bands, including one called Zerobridge
After receiving the award, we were honored that Mohsin shared a few beautiful words with us.
Mohsin was excited to learn more about the Peace Run and appreciated the photos on the walls of the cafe showing young people holding the Torch and putting their hands on their hearts as they focus on peace. As part of his work, they encourage young refugees to have a regular practice of silence where they can develop their inner strength and direction and visualize a brighter future.
Getting inspiration from the Peace Torch outside the cafe before heading back into Manhattan. Mohsin hopes that his children, who live outside Atlanta, Georgia, can meet up with the Peace Run on its route around the USA.
We are so grateful Mohsin took the time out of his busy schedule to spend this time with us. We all left deeply inspired by his profound goodness and how that flows into all he is doing, and look forward to the next time we can meet!
Only the peace-dreamers, Peace-lovers And peace-servers Can transform the world. -Sri Chinmoy
