Religions for Peace issues a worldwide call for all in the religions for peace family to pray – each according to his or her tradition – for the Yazidis community of Sinjar who are facing threat of massacre from ISIS/ISIL.
Esteemed Colleague in Religions for Peace:
Greetings in Peace.
Adding to the great sufferings of peoples in the Middle East-North Africa Region are the currently unfolding events in Iraq.
H.E. Sheikh Majid Hafeed, an Iraqi Kurdish Muslim and Honorary President of Religions for Peace International, has contacted our International Secretariat strongly calling for intervention and support to protect the Yazidis in the town of Sinjar, northern Iraq. They are currently undergoing an attack by the ISIS / ISIL terrorist group. Sheikh Majid reports to us that thousands have been massacred, hundreds of thousands have fled and their homes and shops have been looted and burned. You will find Sheikh Majid’s appeal (in Arabic) here.
His Holiness Louis Raphael Sako, the Christian Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon and a Co-President of Religions for Peace International, has also contacted us with an urgent appeal for the 100,000 Christians who have fled their homes toward the Kurdish cities of Erbil, Duhok and Soulaymiya. You will find Patriarch Sako’s appeal here.
In response, Religions for Peace is transmitting these appeals to the President of the United Nations Security Council, urging that the Security Council take appropriate measures to protect these innocent people.
In addition, allow me also to request that all members of Religions for Peace around the world hold these suffering peoples in their prayers. Let each of us pray in accord with her or his own tradition in solidarity with all across this region who are struggling to bear unbearable suffering.
In solidarity for Peace, I remain,
Respectfully
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Dr. William F. Vendley |
RELIGIONS FOR PEACE—the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition—advances common action among the world’s religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than eighty national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network.
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