The second recipient of the award was Sheikh Saleh H. Habimana, the Mufti of Rwanda.  Sheikh Habimana was actively involved in the process of reconciliation in Rwanda following the 1994 genocide.  He received the award for his tireless work in promoting interfaith harmony and reconciliation. 

All three recipients were also appointed Goodwill Ambassadors of the Golden Rule and will promote the message of the Golden Rule nationally, regionally and internationally. 

After announcing the recipients of the award, Mussie Hailu, the Board Chairperson of IPI and Coordinator of the Golden Rule Goodwill Ambassador Program said "Every year, the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative gives this award to individuals or communities who made outstanding contributions in promoting the message of the Golden Rule through their actions.  The inaugural recipient of the Golden Rule Award and Goodwill Ambassador of 2007 was world-renowned athlete Haile Gebreselassie of Ethiopia. 

For thousands of years, the Golden Rule message of "treat others the way you want to be treated" has been affirmed in many religions, traditions, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies as a fundamental principle of life and the foundation upon which a global ethic is found.  Its message is simple, universal and powerful.  It is the most prevalent and universal moral principle in human history and is the best tool to educate people about respect and mutual esteem in order achieve peaceful coexistence and solidarity.  Among many different ethnic groups, cultures and religions, the Golden Rule is a key to world peace and to the development of right human relationships between people and nations and between humanity and the Earth.  It's for this reason IPI proclaimed April 5 "Golden Rule Day" and called upon the United Nations to join them in also proclaiming the day. IPI is actively working to promote the Golden Rule throughout the world and calls upon all citizens of the world to practice the Golden Rule in all their daily affairs and in their attitudes and actions toward those of other nations, ethnic groups, religions, social backgrounds and towards Mother Earth." 

IPI wishes to acknowledge the United Religions Initiative, as well as the the great contribution of Paul McKenna and Scarboro Missions for designing and widely distributing the poster of the Golden Rule.  For further information on obtaining the Golden Rule Poster, visit www.scarboromissions.ca.