Pacem in Terris Award

  • In September 2017, the Pacem in Terris Coalition named Dr. Widad Akreyi as the recipient of the Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) Peace and Freedom Award for "her lifelong commitment to peace and justice for human dignity for all." The Most reverend Bishop Thomas Zinkula presented the Award to Widad on October 22nd in St. Ambrose University's Christ the King Chapel in Davenport, USA.
  • Widad became the youngest recipient of the Award and the first Pacem honouree to receive the Davenport mayor medal.
  • She donated her honorarium from the Award to the charitable projects of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.
  • On October 23rd, the Quad City Times ran a front-page article by Thomas Geyer who had attended the ceremony at St. Ambrose University. Mr. Geyer emphasised that Widad earned her place among the world's brightest brokers of peace.
  • Widad's trip schedule to Davenport included a tour to historic sites in Quad Cities and meetings with local medical professionals, members of the interfaith coalition, as well as the students of St. Ambrose University and Augustana College.

“The 2017 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award is presented to Dr. Widad Akreyi, PhD by Bishop Thomas R. Zinkula of the Diocese of Davenport and the Pacem in Terris Coalition of the Quad Cities in light of your lifelong commitment to peace and justice. You have worked tirelessly for peace and justice and advocate for human dignity for all in the Middle East. Your mission has been to save lives, alleviate suffering and promoting peace and equal rights and opportunities for all. Your fearless documentation of torture and other human rights violations, as well as your pursuit of justice through medical research and the monitoring of peace initiatives. Your findings regarding crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing have brought horrific acts to light for all the world to see. You embody the words of Pope John XXIII in his encyclical Pacem in Terris as a 'spark of light, a center of love, a vivifying leaven' to your sisters and brothers around the world. Given on this 22nd day of October 2017 in Davenport, Iowa”

 

The Pacem in Terris Coalition

The coalition consists of the Diocese of Davenport, The Catholic Messenger, St. Ambrose University, The Presidential Center for Faith and Learning at Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill.; Churches United of the Quad City Area; Islamic Center of Quad Cities; Quad Cities Interfaith; Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities; Muslim Community of the Quad Cities; Congregation of the Humility of Mary, Sisters of St. Benedict; Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa; and Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton.

“You have been selected by the Pacem in Terris Coalition for your fearless documentation of torture and other human rights violations, as well as your pursuit of justice through medical research and the monitoring of peace initiatives. Your findings regarding crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing have brought horrific acts to light for all the world to see. You embody the words of Pope John XXIII in his encyclical Pacem in Terris as a 'spark of light, a center of love, a vivifying leaven' to your sisters and brothers around the world.” ~ Most Reverend Thomas Zinkula, Bishop of Davenport, July 2017

Press Releases Issued by Defend International

Dr. Widad Akreyi Selected as Recipient of Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award

Oslo-Iowa, September 29, 2017 - Bishop Thomas Zinkula will present the 47th Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award to Dr. Widad Akreyi. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. on October 22nd in St. Ambrose University's Christ the King Chapel in Davenport.

The Pacem in Terris Coalition has selected Dr. Widad Akreyi, an international humanitarian and human rights defender, as the recipient of the 2017 Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) Peace and Freedom Award.

The Most Reverend Thomas Zinkula, Bishop of Davenport, extended his congratulations to Dr. Akreyi, saying that she was selected by the Pacem in Terris Coalition for her "fearless documentation of torture and other human rights violations, as well as her pursuit of justice through medical research and the monitoring of peace initiatives." His excellency added, "Your findings regarding crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing have brought horrific acts to light for all the world to see."

Dr. Widad will receive the award at a ceremony to be held at St. Ambrose University, Christ the King Chapel in Davenport, Iowa, USA on October 22, 2017.

"Dr. Widad is an incredible addition to the list of Pacem Award winners," said the Pacem in Terris Coalition chair and Social Action and Catholic Charities director Kent Ferris. "She became involved early in her life in responding to human rights violations that were happening around her, courageously chronicling the atrocities. And even after obtaining her PhD in global health and cancer epidemiology as a young adult, her life work remains focused on human rights."

Created by the Davenport Catholic Interracial Council in 1964, the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award honors individuals for their "achievements in peace and justice, not only in their country but in the world." Previous recipients include the 35th President of the United States John F. Kennedy (1964), leader of the Civil Rights Movement Dr. Martin Luther King, JR. (1965), Mother Teresa, known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1976), South African social rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1987), former President of Poland Lech Walesa (2001), and Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh (2015).

Upon learning she will receive the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award, the co-founder of Defend International Dr. Akreyi said, "It gives me pleasure to accept this award, which will always have a place of honor in my heart."

Dr. Widad Akreyi has been committed to promote peace and justice around the world from a very young age. Her visionary leadership, volunteerism and innovative initiatives inspire others to join her in the pursuit of freedom and human rights.

Dr. Widad Received Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award

Oslo-Iowa, October 30, 2017 – Dr. Widad Akreyi, co-founder of Defend International, was presented with the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award by Bishop Thomas Zinkula. She became the youngest recipient of the Pacem in Terris Award and the first Pacem honouree to receive a medal from the mayor of Davenport.

On October 22nd, the Most Reverend Thomas Zinkula, Bishop of Davenport, presented Dr. Widad Akreyi, a global champion on the plight of the persecuted in the Middle East, with the 47th Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award in light of her "lifelong commitment to peace and justice."

The Award, which is named to honor Pope John XXIII, was given at a ceremony held at St. Ambrose University, Christ the King Chapel in Davenport, Iowa, USA.

"You have worked tirelessly for peace and justice and advocate for human dignity for all in the Middle East," said the Most Reverend Zinkula before presenting the award. "Your mission has been to save lives, alleviate suffering and promoting peace and equal rights and opportunities for all. Your fearless documentation of torture and other human rights violations, as well as your pursuit of justice through medical research and the monitoring of peace initiatives. Your findings regarding crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing have brought horrific acts to light for all the world to see. You embody the words of Pope John XXIII in his encyclical Pacem in Terris a spark of light, a center of love, a vivifying leaven to your brothers and sisters around the world."

"As the first woman born in Kurdistan, in the heart of Mesopotamia to be awarded this award, I am tremendously honoured by this recognition," Dr. Widad said after accepting the award.

Co-founder of Defend International became the youngest recipient of the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award and the first Pacem in Terris honouree to meet the mayor of Davenport and to be presented with the Davenport medal by the Honorable Frank Klipsch during a private social meeting with local medical professionals.

Established in 1964, in commemoration of the 1963 encyclical letter Pacem in terries (Peace on Earth) of Pope John XXIII, the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award is awarded “to honor a person for their achievements in peace and justice, not only in their country but in the world.” Previous recipients include President of the United States John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Dr. Widad donated her honorarium from the Award to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.

Prayer for Peace & Justice

On Monday, October 23rd, 2017, the sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary had Widad in their prayer:

"For Pope Francis, our bishops and priests, that they may be true servants of the Lord, praising God's name in word and deed. We pray...

That the Lord may raise up in our world leaders who will rebuild a culture of life and a society based on justice for all, we pray...

That Dr. Widad, the human rights activist who received the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award from Bishop Zinkula yesterday, be blessed by our God for her work and kept safe, we pray...

For all the intentions we bring to this Eucharist, especially to obtain healing and help for our friends, relatives and benefactors, we pray...

For our beloved dead, our sisters, associates, family and friends that by God's mercy they may know eternal rest. We pray..."

Trip Schedule

Dr. Akreyi's trip schedule to Davenport, Iowa included:

  • A private lunch with local Medical professionals hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Health System Doug Cropper and Mrs. Cropper. During this lunch the Honorable Frank Klipsch, the mayor of Davenport, Iowa, presented Widad with the Davenport Mayor Medal for her lifetime contribution to defending human rights and dignity for all in the Middle East.
  • A charity Gala and Dinner at St. Patrick Church in Iowa City. Widad was hosted by Director Kent Ferris and Mrs. Lori Ferris who had their daughters and friends also in attendance;
  • A lunch with members of the Pacem in Terris Award Committee at St. Ambrose University;
  • Book-signing and reception immediately after the Pacem in Terris Award ceremony;
  • A dinner with members of the Pacem in Terris Award Committee;
  • Two meetings with students at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois; and
  • A driving tour in Quad Cities, accompanied by Director Kent Ferris, Mr. Patrick Miner and Mrs. Roxanne Miner. The tour featured visits to historic, architectural and local industrial sites.

Book Trailers of Widad's Memoir