The Everest Peace Project’s Climb For Peace will see the 8 men and one woman come face to face with some of the most challenging climbing routes as they hike 8,848 metres up the world’s highest mountain.
Christians Selebelo Selamolela from South Africa and North Americans Jerry Price and Tonya Riggs will be led in their climb by Buddhist expedition leader Lance Trumbull from the U.S. who came up with the idea of the peace climb four years ago while on a hike following his divorce, reports AFP.
Trumbull explained: “Throughout time, mountains have been spiritual places. It is where the gods and goddesses lived. It is where people have gone to feel closer to and to speak to God.”
In total 7 countries are represented, including the U.S., Palestine, Israel, New Zealand and India while other faiths represented are Judaism and Hinduism.
The decision of two Jews from Israel and one Muslim from Palestinian to join in the expedition was met with a mixed response in their respective countries.
"Fifty percent of people at home are supportive of what I do. But 50 percent of the people I encounter are against it because still there is no peace between our countries," said Bushnaq.The expedition was due to start from the Tibetan side of the mountain on Thursday this week but had to be delayed until early next week due to a general strike called by Nepalese political parties.
The hike is expected to last around 65 days and the multi-faith team will be accompanied by a documentary team which will attempt to reach the summit with the peace climbers.
Panasonic has sponsored the bulk of the expedition, estimated to cost around US$350,000, while each team member has paid US$10,000 towards the cost of climbing the mountain.
The Everest Peace Project organises safe peace climbs in the name of peace and to promote peaceful relations within the global community.
It has already funded one library for school children in Nepal and is already running towards the next goal of building a whole school.
