by Nirmala Carvalho

The head of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) was given the award for his work on behalf of religious freedom. Submitted by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (founded by the Rev King) and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, the award marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington (28 August 1963).

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The 'Martin Luther King, Jr. Ambassador of Peace Award' "is bestowed upon Dr. Sajan George for his significant work among the poor and in particular reaching out in emergency care to poor children around the globe."

Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), is a friend of AsiaNews. As a Christian, he has been repeatedly cited in its articles for denouncing human rights violations, in particular against ethnic and religious minorities in India and other Asian countries.

Charles Steele Jr, president emeritus and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a US civil rights organisation founded by the Rev King, and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, submitted the award.

This year's prize coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the March on Washington (28 August 1963), which the Southern Christian Leadership Conference celebrated by organising a week of events that will culminate in a ceremony tomorrow in the US capital.

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr pursued nonviolent resistance against racial segregation and in favour of African American civil rights.

His actions reached a highpoint at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, where Dr King, ending his 'March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom', delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

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