Global Newsletter

The lastest Global Newsletter from Religions for Peace International reports in initiatives to restore peace to Nigeria, the developments of peace in the Middle East, establishment of multifaith relations in Iran, to name a few items in this newsletter.

In The Network

Almost half the world – over three billion people – live on less than $2.50 a day.

Approximately 2.6 million children die annually as a result of hunger-related causes.

RfP International has launched the Offer a Meal Movement, an ongoing global campaign bringing together diverse religious communities to help poverty stricken people around the world.

RfP invites participants to skip a meal on a regular basis in solidarity with those suffering from hunger, extreme poverty or violent conflict. Participants registering on RfP International’s website are provided with two choices to help address human suffering and build peace.

• Donate the value of skipped meals directly to RfP International, which will use 100 percent of the funds to reach those in need through its network of over 90 national and regional Inter-Religious Councils(IRC).
• Donate the value of skipped meals to a local charity.

The IRCs are effective because they engage volunteers in local churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, shrines, and other religious community centers that are already assisting the needy in their communities – which comprise some of the poorest or conflict ridden countries on Earth.

Dr. William F. Vendley, [Secretary-General of RfP International], said in a statement:

“The ‘Offer a Meal Movement’ builds solidarity and shared well-being. It is based upon the gentle and mysterious power of small acts of compassion, love and prayer. These acts can help others in great need and also help transform the person who makes them. And they can be practiced by anyone.

by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, President, Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies; [Co-Moderator of RfP]

It is with great regret that we have learned about the recent events and violence between different extremist groups in the African country of Nigeria.

The most recent event, as related by multiple news media agencies, has been the tragic kidnapping of hundreds of young girls by the “Boko Haram” group.

We absolutely condemn this act and assert that it has no religious or logical justification. We implore this group to return these innocent girls to their homes and families, and to desist from these vile acts that all revealed religions unite in prohibiting, especially Islam, whose image has been vilified and its sanctity violated at the hands of individuals who do not comprehend its reality nor consult its learned religious scholars.

We therefore call on all Islamic religious scholars in Nigeria and in West Africa, as well as Christian religious leaders in this region to cooperate and support each other in saving these girls and ending the wanton violence and indiscriminate killing that both sides have witnessed. It is their collective responsibility to stop this killing and fighting, which will not end except in destruction, chaos, and anarchy. Leaders from both groups must also support the efforts for peace not only in Nigeria alone, but also in Central Africa, which has witnessed – and continues to witness – many terrible events.

We are absolutely certain that the benefits and opportunities that peace can provide for benevolent coexistence and development far outweigh any perceived benefit for continued war and violence.

We ask Him, the Glorified and Exalted, to grant success to everyone. Read More

A Letter from Rome: 11 May 2014

by H.E. John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, [Co-Moderator of RfP]

This “unconscionable crime”, to use Mrs. Obama’s rather unfamiliar language, has to say the least, cast our government in very bad light. Whether this verdict is deserved or not, the government has to do something visible about the crisis on our hands. And quickly too.

This perhaps explains why our government is accepting assistance from various foreign nations, from USA to China, from France to Israel. As a Nigerian, I am saddened and ashamed. But it seems clear that we have reached the stage where we have to swallow our pride and stop bragging and pretending to be what we are not.

In itself, there should be nothing wrong with seeking and accepting foreign intervention, especially since it is now clear that the Boko Haram has international connections. It is therefore not only a question of “assisting Nigeria”. It is also in the interest of the international community to join hands with Nigeria to deal with a dangerous virus that is infecting and attacking the entire international community, starting from our nearest regional neighbours.

So far, we have been hearing much about military action. To the extent that the Boko Haram is killing, abducting and bombing, it has to be effectively and appropriately engaged. But there is a limit to how far we can go with military action alone. One only needs to imagine the awful military dilemma of rescuing 200 girls from the hands of heavily armed terrorists and bring them back to their families, safe and sound. The complexity of the Boko Haram phenomenon therefore calls for coordinated action at different levels and in various areas of attention. The political and socio-economic issues are well within our ability as a nation, if we can only summon the political will to act together across political and ethnic lines to save our nation.

< p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But there is also the religious dimension which in my view has not been given adequate attention. This is where I believe we should welcome with deep gratitude the strong messages of solidarity with our nation and vigorous expressions of condemnation of the Boko Haram by the global Islamic community at the highest level. The Islamic Fiqh Academy, based in Saudi Arabia, has declared:

“This crime and other crimes committed by the likes of these extremist organizations contradict all humanitarian principles and moral values and violate the provisions of the Quran and Sunnah”.

Finally, I believe that we Christians, despite all the hurts that we have suffered, should resist the temptation to turn a deaf ear to what the Muslim world is saying. The Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury are singing the same song of peace as the Muslim leaders. This is significant. Muslims and Christians in Nigeria must find it in their hearts to pick up the chorus. When the girls are back home, and the Boko Haram are disarmed, (I say “when” not “if”) there will still be the tedious task of dialogue, reconciliation, mutual forgiveness and peace, for which the force of religion will be most needed. This will demand that religious communities join hands and call on the One God who takes care of us all. It is then that it may well be that this horrible episode, as President Jonathan believes, would “be the beginning of the end of terror in Nigeria”.

May God bless Nigeria, and bring back home our daughters. Read More

From L-R: Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga , Imam Omar Kobine Layama and Pastor Nicolas Guerékoyame Gbangou

The Central African Republic has been gripped by a brutal and protracted civil conflict that has claimed thousands of lives, resulted in large refugee flow sand internally displaced persons and the destruction of years of development. Tragically, the fault lines of the political conflict have converged along religious identities, resulting in the misuse of religion to further fuel the conflict.

RfP, in its capacity as a co-founder of the Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, endorsed a major step in the peace process in the Central African Republic (CAR), in particular the efforts of its religious leaders.

In this context, the religious leaders in CAR have built a Platform of Religious Leaders for the express purpose of harnessing inter-faith cooperation for national peace-building and reconciliation. The Platform of Religious Leaders was the driving force behind a historic agreement of principles expressed in a statement, signed by representatives of the key parties to the conflict-Seleka and anti-Balaka-, the Transitional Government and the Platform of Religions of Central Africa on 8 April 2014.

The statement renounces violence, welcomes the role of domestic religious leaders, encourages inter-communal and interfaith dialogue and urges the Transitional Authorities to implement an inclusive national dialogue between all political, social and religious parties in the country.

Dr. William F. Vendley [RfP International Secretary General], and Dr. Francis Kuria [African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL-RfP) Secretary General], also signed the document as witnesses and in solidarity with the religious leaders of CAR, as did H.E. Ufuk Gokcen, Ambassador of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations.

Dr. Vendley said it is vital for RfP and its global network to demonstrate support for the Platform of Religious Leaders constructed by CAR’s religious leaders.

The Network representatives also met with H.E. Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, the Special Envoy of the OIC for the CAR, who shared a three point agenda of stopping the violence, building a consensus of shared principles among political players and advancing humanitarian relief. Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen stated that the OIC is committed to working with both the Muslim and Christian communities in building peace. “The conflict is fundamentally political,” he noted, “and requires a political solution based on an inclusive national dialogue. The religious communities, however, can play an irreplaceable role in fostering peace.” Read More

Co-President, H.E. Ayatollah Damad, meeting with Dr. Vendley

Meetings were also held with Shi’as, Sunnis, Armenian and Assyrian Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians communities.

Dr. Vendley said in a statement:”This initiative marks an important step to build on the positive relations among Iran’s religious communities and to connect them to the global religious activities of Religions for Peace. We look forward to working with them to advance RfP‘s positive vision of peace by engaging religious communities to work together for the common good.”

Honorary President Mme. Rafsanjani hosting Dr. Vendley

The
RfP delegation also met with representatives and Parliamentarians of the five official religious minorities, all of whom stated their support for the establishment of a national multi-religious mechanism in Iran and welcomed RfP‘s assistance in launching the initiative.

GLOBAL – WE NEED A UNIVERSAL CODE TO PROTECT HOLY SITES

by Stein Villumstad, [General Secretary of European Council of Religious Leaders-RfP]

RfP continues its engagement with promoting the Universal Code of Conduct on Holy Sites together with partner organizations Search for Common Ground, Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights and One World in Dialogue.

On Feb. 27, we sponsored a one-day policy consultation in New York which brought together about 35 participants from UN member state delegations, UN bodies, NGOs, academic institutions and religious communities.

Dr. William Vendley [Secretary General of RfP] noted that the desecration of holy sites is a grave offense against freedom of religions and is often designed to incite violence and hate.

Ambassador Mirsada Colakovic, the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations, followed up by referring to the Bosnian experience of a successful pilot project that has significantly reduced attacks on holy sites. Additionally, pilot projects are underway in the Holy Land and Indonesia. These pilot projects will create a body of evidence on how to protect and make holy places more accessible.

The process of promoting a UN General Assembly Resolution in support of the Code was discussed among the participants. The Ambassador to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, H.E. Ufuk Gokcen, offered various concrete suggestions on how to move forward, reflecting OIC’s full support for the initiative

The consultation provided an important step forward in the efforts to advance governmental and inter-religious cooperation for the better safeguarding of Holy Sites. Read More

The discussion was focused largely on two areas – the urgency to accelerate progress on the MDGs and foster the role of religious communities to achieve the MDGs for women and girls and advance action partnership between religious communities and other stakeholders to expedite and improve the progress being made in the MDGs as well as to start the discussion on what needs to be done beyond 2015.

Held on 12 March at the United Nations on the occasion of the Fifty-eighth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the discussion was attended by more than 130 participants representing civil society, government and UN agencies.

Guest speakers included: Ms. Paddy Meskin, Chair, International Women’s Coordinating Committee [President, Religions for Peace South Africa]; Imam Shamsi Ali, Chairman of the Al-Hikmah Mosque and the Director of Jamaica Muslim Center; Mr. Joseph Cornelius Donnelly, Permanent Delegate to UN, CARITAS Internationalis.

The event was moderated by Mr. Sering Falu Njie, Deputy Director-Policy, United Nations Millennium Campaign and Ms. Deepika Singh, Director of Programs, Religions for Peace.

Approximately 56,000 children under five die annually in Myanmar – 43,000 of them younger than 1 month.

RfP Myanmar is currently undertaking initiatives to advance and strengthen multi-religious collaboration for child protection.

These projects aim to deliver important services to support vulnerable children and their families and strengthen child protection systems. Implemented in the Southern Shan State, Bago West, Ayeyawaddy and Yangon Regions within 13 townships and 20 villages of 8 districts, the child protection project in Myanmar so far has succeeded in –

• Forming 20 Community Support Groups (CSGs) consisting from 3-14 members each who were trained on child protection issues;
• Starting Community Learning Corners in 5 villages where 150-300 children per month can go play and learn whilst parents and care takers also have opportunities to get information on health and hygiene matters as well as on child protection issues;
• Establishing a drop-in center for vulnerable street children where around 40 children have so far received formal education and/or vocational training;
• Providing educational support to 4,801 children from 12 remote villages where there are no active NGOs or INGOs; and
• Raising awareness on child survival issues among 341 pregnant women, young mothers and care takers in poor urban areas

RfP Myanmar‘s implementing partners include Ratana Metta Organization (Buddhist); Karuna Myanmar Social Services (Catholic); Positive Muslim Group (Muslim); Urban Rural Mission (Protestant); Urban Rural Mission (Protestant); Yangon Kayin Baptist Women’s Association (Christianity).

RfP Myanmar was established in September 2012 and is the country’s first full-fledged representative and action-oriented interreligious body for reconciliations, peace and development. It brings together all of the major religious institutions of Myanmar, including the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy; the Ratana Metta Organization (Buddhist); the Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC); the Catholic Church; the Sanatan Hindu Organization in Myanmar; and the Islamic Center of Myanmar. Read More

After three decades of war in the Vavuniya district of Sri Lanka, the Tachibana RfP pre-school, a multi religious center of learning, opened on 21 February and marked another significant milestone for the Sri Lanka Council of RfP (SLCRP).

The 60 children enrolled in the new school come from Sri Lanka’s diverse religious communities. Studying and playing together will help rebuild bridges of trust among their families even as they receive a high-quality education in a safe, protected and calm environment.

The Tachibana Rf
P Pre-school was opened with the financial assistance of Tachibana Sangyo Corporation, Japan.

Members of the Sri Lanka Council of RfP who attended the ceremony included: The Most Venerable Professor Bellanvila Wimalaratana Anunayaka Thero, President, [Co-President of RfP]; Most Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhita Nayaya Thero, Vice President; Venerable Professor Medawachchiye Dhammajothi Thero, General Secretary; Ms.Sivanandini Duraiswamy, Treasurer; Mrs. Christobel Saverimuttu, Assistant Treasurer; Kurukkal Babusharma, Vice President; Moulavi S.H.Athambawa, Vice President; and Mr. P. D. Padmasiri.

Rev. Norio Sakai, Rissho Kosei-kai, Japan, [International Trustee of RfP] gave an inspiring account of how Japan reconstructed after the World War II and the role played by late former Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayawardena in support of Japanese people.

RfP has had active presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for years working on engaging senior religious leaders and building peace through conflict transformation.

To further engage young people in its activities, RfP in cooperation with the MENA senior religious leaders’ council, sponsored and convened a regional youth meeting in Istanbul, Turkey on March 28-30.

The meeting brought together 14 young religious activists and community leaders from 12 countries across the region. The meeting was held to establish a sustainable RfP MENA Interfaith Youth Network. This network will engage religious youth throughout the Region.

The youth had the opportunity to interact with each other by presenting their work, background and experiences that they collectively brought to the table.

Mr. Maher Btaiche, Maronite Christian youth from Lebanon, representing the Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue (FDCD) spoke of his experience growing up during the Civil War in Lebanon. In Lebanon, the ‘religious other’ was seen as a direct threat to the ‘religious us’. “For me- Muslims was someone who was trying to kill me. Until I was 16, I had never interacted with a Muslim.”

Ms. Intissar Kherigi, a youth leader from Tunisia had a different perspective to offer.

“For us, as a homogeneous society in Tunisia, with 97% Sunni Muslim, the tension is between fundamentalists and Secularists. The first time I realized I was Sunni was when I was in London and someone asked me if I was Sunni or Shi’i, and I said I was Muslim. I didn’t realize that there was a separation and that I was in fact a Sunni.”

Othman Kherigi, a Kurdish youth leader, summarized it by stating “What we have in common, is more than what separate us.”

The meeting concluded with the youth focusing on the theme of “Welcoming the Other- through Citizenship”, with the intended goal of respecting human dignity by accepting the religious identity of the other to strengthen active citizenship.

Another youth regional meeting is being planned that would focus on citizenship workshops and events in the service of human dignity and protection of vulnerable communities in the Middle East and North Africa.

As the whole world becomes increasingly a global village and inter-dependence becomes the basis for our collective security and prosperity, there is no alternative to harnessing the positive potential of love and compassion in the governance of all human institutions.

This sentiment was expressed by H.E. Dr. Kul Gautum, Former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations [International Trustee of RfP], during his remarks before the Second “Spirit of Humanity Forum” in Reykjavik, Iceland, 10-12 April.

Inspired by the historic 1986 Summit between Former US President Ronald Reagan and former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev that led to the end of the Cold War, the Republic of Iceland hosted the Forum under the unusual theme of “the power of love and compassion in governance” as part of its innovative approach to contribute to good governance. Other RfP leaders participated in the Forum including: Mr. Steve Killelea [International Treasurer and Trustee of RfP]; Mrs. Christina Lee Brown, [International Trustee of RfP]; and Ms. Yolande Iliano, [President of RfP Europe].

H.E. Gautum observed: “There are many examples of how love and compassion have influenced public policy, governance and human well-being. After all, love and compassion are the underlying sentiments that lead to solidarity, mutual self-help and cooperation. In modern societies we cannot survive and thrive without such compassionate solidarity. Read More

As a springboard to action on establishing the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation in 2015, a symposium was held on 2 April in Birmingham, UK, led by Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, [RfP Co-President and International Trustee], Spiritual Leader and Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha and Co-convenor of the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation Project, and Dr. Josef Boehle, Director of the Charter Project. Dr William F. Vendley [RfP Secretary General] is also a co-convenor of the Charter project.

The symposium included discussions of some of the key questions and critical issues to be considered in creating the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Included were also extensive deliberations of forgiveness’ critical role in justice, reconciliation and peace-building.

The proposed Charter aims to inspire and engage individuals, groups and communities, in public processes and in private settings, appealing to humanity to practice genuine forgiveness and reconciliation, seeking justice and sustainable peace.

The Charter will draw upon values, stories and examples from sacred texts and from different spiritual traditions, from religious/spiritual communities, and from the lives of outstanding individuals. With such paradigms, the Charter will direct commitment and activities towards a growing practice of forgiveness and reconciliation which humanity desperately needs in a fractured world.

The draft text for the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation is now being developed. The whole collaborative chartering process is expected to take up to a year, to allow for substantial input from a wide range of worldviews, backgrounds, expertise and insights. Read More.

The Prize recognizes and supports the efforts of those individuals and organizations who work to advance Guru Nanak’s vision. Guru Nanak believed that all humans are equal, regardless of color, ethnicity, nationality or gender. The Prize is meant to encourage understanding of various religions and encourage cooperation between faith communities.

Bhai Sahib Ji stated: “To be recognized for the prestigious Award that carries Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s revered name, is an overwhelming privilege and an honor. I thank Hofstra University for bestowing this recognition upon a humble soul like me. The Sikh Gurus’ consistent and eternal message comes abundantly alive with the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s emphatic command: ‘maanas ki jaath sabae ek hee paechanbo’. This recommends all peoples of this planet to perceive the entire human fraternity as one global family, within which, interfaith harmony is a pre-requisite for international peace. ‘To be religious, is to be inter-religious’.”

RfP entered into a strategic partnership with the network of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) to advance our shared vision of a nuclear free world.

More than 300 parliamentarians and civil society leaders from more than 30 countries attended an Assembly in Washington DC, February 25-28. Rev. Kyoichi Sugino [Religions for Peace Deputy Secretary General] discussed RfP‘s ongoing efforts to engage religious communities in nuclear disarmament advocacy through RfP‘s affiliated interreligious councils, and training around the RfP Resource Guide on Nuclear Disarmament.

The resource guide’s principal author is PNND Global Coordinator Alyn Ware and it was officially launched at the United Nations on the occasion of the General Assembly High Level Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament in September 2013. United States Senator Ed Markey hosted the Assembly in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room in the United States Senate Office Building. Click here for Resource Guide.

Amid political conflicts, differences and divisiveness, a nationwide prayer for peace in Thailand was held on 18 April supported by leaders of Thailand’s five major religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism.

The religious leaders said they were deeply concerned about the safety of life and property, security and national prosperity.

In their appeal to every group, irrespective of political differences, they urged the nation to “rise above their prejudices and animosity by earnestly engaging their insights, intelligence and wisdom, and, in the process, turn the present torrent of conflicts into positive solutions through constructive collaboration.”

A Joint Statement to Overcome Present-day Conflicts in Thai Society was issued. A RfP Working Committee, comprising leaders from the five predominant religions and representatives from related civil services was created, with Religions for Peace, the Interreligious Council of Thailand serving as its secretary. Dr. Ismaillutfi Japakiya[Joint Chairman, Religions for Peace, Interreligious Council of Thailand] is serving as a committee member.

In The News

Articles in this section are taken from independent news sources. The content and opinions expressed do not represent the views of RfP.

Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies

9 March 2014

Source: Promoting Peace in Muslim Society

From L-R: Bill Gates, Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah, and Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson

The Forum is the first global conclave of scholars ever organized to form a unified front against the scourge of extremist ideologies, sectarianism, and terrorism that has afflicted the Muslim world for decades.

The ground-breaking initiative is the brainchild of Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah [Co-Moderator of RfP]. He is the President of The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, and is one of the world’s pre-eminent Islamic Scholars with influence over Muslim scholars and intellectuals from various denominations from around the world. Shaykh bin Bayyah served as Forum President and Chairman of the Scientific Committee.

Over two days, the delegates, including Dr. William Vendley [Secretary General of RfP], and high profile speakers confronted the heresies and misunderstandings that have confused ordinary Muslims and divided and devastated societies across the Muslim world.

“The only way to counter the forces that are tearing the Muslim world apart is to get to the roots of the misinformation, misunderstandings and heresies that drive extremist ideologies, sectarian hatreds, and murderous and destructive violence,” said Shaykh bin Bayyah. “The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies is a landmark initiative that aims to refute extremist ideologies absolutely with a true understanding of Islam as a religion of wisdom, compassion, tolerance and forbearance clearly articulated in the Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet Mohamed.” Read More

Faiths Unite in Support of Child Rights

3 April 2014

Source: Mizzima-news from Myanmar

The declaration expressed their commitment to the notion that every child can enjoy his or her rights according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The commitment was given at an event organised by a partnership between the Ratana Metta Organisation and UNICEF and held at the Chatrium Hotel on April 2-3.

“We, the world’s religious leaders believe that all religions in the world are able to mitigate the violence of the human mind and to make it polite and tame. The position of religious leaders will be raised higher as people see them serving in the best interests of community welfare and the promotion of world peace and stability”, said Venerable Dr. Ashin Nyinnissara, Chancellor of the Sitagu International Buddhist Academies, [Honorary President of RfP].

Over 100 representatives from across the major faiths and including international scholars and experts attended the conference. “Children are symbolised as jewels in the Holy Quran”, said Al-Haj Mufti U Ko Lay, a senior Muslim leader, patron of RfP Myanmar and co-signer of the declaration. Read More

10 April 2014

Source: Daily Trust

Currently, one of the most outstanding of these voices is that of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto [Co-President of RfP]

He has traveled the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond, calling for religious as well as civic peace. His peace advocacy carries a unique flavor, because it also involves a stunning amount of collaboration with Nigerians of other faiths. Only recently, the Sultan of Sokoto played a crucial role at the launching of a book in Abuja, written by John Cardinal Onaiyekan the Archbishop of Abuja [Co-Moderator of RfP]. Quite appropriately, the book is titled “Seeking Common Grounds: Interreligious Dialogue in Africa.”

On another topic, the Sultan, who is also President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, debunked the view that Islam is against girl-education for girls. He insisted that Islam encourages girl-child education, noting that women have done several scholarly work of recognition in Nigeria and even in the history of the Caliphate. Read More

13 May 2014

Source: New Vision-Uganda’s Leading Daily

The Summit’s theme “Enhancing Faith Communities’ Engagement on the Post 2015 Development Agenda in the Context of the Rising Africa,” will explore ways through which Faith communities and Faith leaders can contribute to the shaping of the Post 2015 Development Agenda.

The summit is expected to attract African Faith leaders, representing the major religions on the African continent.

Leaders at the Summit are expected to debate a new charter that would succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) but the target expires in 2015.

Mr. Joshua Kitakule [Secretary General of the IRCU] said the conference will generate coordinated and programmatic actions that enables African faith communities to bring their voice and organization to the formulation and implementation of public policy and programmes in connection to the new charter on development. “Faith-based institutions have a long history of action on development and often deliver a multiplicity of services to individuals and communities blighted by poverty, conflict, humanitarian and natural disasters.”

The eights MDGs are; eradication of poverty, achieving of UPE, promotion of gender equality and empowering of women, reduction of child mortality, improvement of maternal health, combating of HIV\AIDs, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development. Read More

John XXIII, John Paul II Changed the Way Church Relates to Other Faiths

9 April 2014

Source: Catholic San Francisco

Both Popes’ outgoing personalities and personal experiences — especially during World War II — obviously came into play, as did the fact that the world around them and many of their own faithful, theologians and bishops increasingly sensed that respecting human dignity meant at least trying to respect that others also were searching for truth.

The impact each Pope had on Jewish-Catholic relations is so strong, said Chief Rabbi David Rosen, Director of Interreligious Relations for the American Jewish Committee, [Co-President of RfP]. The two Popes were canonized on 27 April at the Vatican. Rabbi Rosen told Catholic News Service that Pope John holds “the copyright” for the modern Catholic Church’s respectful approach to other religions.

He said he believes there is much truth in the assertion that “John XXIII’s recognition that the Church had to reassess its whole relationship with the Jewish people — which was the inspiration for ‘Nostra Aetate’ (the Second Vatican Council document on relations with other religions) — was what led the Church to begin to look at its relationship with all other religions.” Read More

Turkey’s Religious Head Calls for Interfaith Respect

6 May 2014

Source: World Bulletin

In a meeting in Turkish capital, Ankara, with the Prime Minister of the German State of Lower Saxony, H.E. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez, President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, [Co-President of RfP], stressed the need for getting used to living in a world with multiple religions.

He presented the famous 13th century Sufi poet, Rumi, as an example to be followed, citing the well-known lines attributed to him: “Come, come whoever you are / An unbeliever, a fire-worshipper, come.”

For his part, Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil said people from different religious backgrounds “need to respect each other”.

He said he had visited the mosques in Lower Saxony as part of his election campaign. “As a State we want to show how we accept the Muslims, how we respect and appreciate them.”

At least four million Muslims, most of them Turks, live in Germany, whose main religion is Christianity. Read More

University of Makeni (UNIMAK) Takes Religious Tolerance to Another Level

6 May 2014

Source: Sierra Express Media

The University of Makeni’s Centre for Social Transformation organized a three-day conference for religious leaders drawn from across Sierra Leone.

The event, which was based on the theme: “Celebrating Religious Tolerance”, was held at the New UNIMAK Auditorium in Makeni from 1-3 May 2014.

Three key topics served as a basis for discussion during the three days: Religious tolerance and the Status Quo; Religious Tolerance: Challenges and Opportunities; and the Way Forward in Sustaining Religious Tolerance.

Reverend Dr. Osman Fornah [General Secretary of Inter Religious Council of Sierra Leone] pointed out that the Council is the most reliable and dependable organization that is committed to peace and development of the country. “We still have the problem of disintegration, but we thank God that UNIMAK has brought religious leaders together to work in full gear to sustain religious tolerance,” he said. Read More

Hopes Rise that Pope, Patriarch Meeting R
enews Christian Unity Effort

5 May 2014

Source: Catholic News Service

But he also said the two leaders are likely to discuss a range of common concerns, including the predicament of Christians in the Middle East, conservation of the natural environment, and defense of the traditional family.

“We hope that this will not just be a meeting like others, but we hope that this will give a new horizon for the relations between our two sister churches,” Orthodox Metropolitan Emmanuel of France [Co-President of RfP] told Catholic News Service in Rome. “In a divided world, we need unity.” Patriarch Bartholomew, considered first among equals by Orthodox Bishops, is a natural dialogue partner for Pope Francis because the two men share important personal qualities, Metropolitan Emmanuel said. Read More

by Dr. Ron Kronish [Director of the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel-RfP]

Published in the Times of Israel, April 29th 2014

Every day now, and sometimes twice a day, there are hate crimes of vandalism committed by Jews against mosques and churches in Israel. Yesterday, it was a mosque. Today a church. What will happen tomorrow?

More than 30 churches and mosques have been vandalized within the last year. And no one has been brought to justice. Why? Really, why not?

If it were the other way-Palestinians vandalizing synagogues and Jewish institutions-the culprits would be apprehended the same day! And put in jail under “administrative detention”. Everyone knows this. The moral duplicity is too obvious for all too see.

The anger is growing. Thousands of Jews and Arabs are beginning to demonstrate against this phenomenon, but not enough. Perhaps we need hundreds of thousands, or even millions. Perhaps it is time for the silent majority to wake up and demand action from its government.

It is totally incredible and inexplicable that the government of Israel simply gives lip service to the fact that law enforcement should act quickly and forthrightly. And then does nothing, month after month, week after week, day after day. And the situation gets worse and worse.

Not only has nothing been done as yet on the part of the government of Israel to take this phenomenon seriously, but it is particularly disturbing since we who are active in the Tag Meir coalition-which sends representatives to offer empathy and solidarity to the community under attack each time this happens- believe that the perpetrators are well known to the authorities.

In fact, Carmi Gillon, who headed the Israeli Security Services, and spent four years focusing on Israeli Arabs, told us at our Annual Meeting last December that not only are the kids who do this well known to the Security Services but their rabbis, who incite them to do these acts, are also well known, just as the rabbis who incited Jewish extremists in the past were well known.

Moreover, there is a law in Israel against incitement and rebellion. According to Gillon, this law has not been used against these rabbis yet. And it is time to use this law, and enforce it! He told us very clearly:

We all know who they are, where they are, and in which yeshivas they study and preach. Rather than taking action, the political and security systems of Israel appear to be apathetic to these phenomena. Or is it more than just apathy? Is it blinking one’s eye, and giving in to the forces of extremism for narrow political reasons?

Is this the “Jewish state” that our government demands that the Palestinians recognize? On the contrary, such acts are antithetical to genuine humanistic Jewish values. They are a blasphemy against God!

Has our government totally lost its moral compass? And, where are the Jews of the Diaspora? They are very good at raising their voices about a prayer space for women of the wall, or anti-Semitism in Europe, but where are they on this one? Why aren’t they crying out loud and clear: “This is not the Israel we have dreamed about! This is not the Jewish state that is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence”. They should be demanding action from the government and the law enforcement authorities in Israel. Right now. Not later. Not after too much damage has been done.

And, where is the rabbinic leadership in Israel? And the Diaspora? They should weigh in on this, immediately, without delay.

Last week, we read from the Torah portion of Kedoshim (Holiness) about how the Jewish people should imitate God by not only loving their neighbor as themselves, but by treating the stranger fairly, by loving the stranger. It is high time that our government and law enforcement authorities implemented this fundamental Jewish value.

I am part of a coalition of 40 organizations in Israel-representing thousands of people from all over Israel called Tag Meir-Light Tag-which has been combating this phenomenon, without much fanfare, in Israel for the past 4 years. We have been responsive and empathetic up till now. But this is not enough. We will have to become more active-and mobilize the masses in Israel not only to raise a Jewish and interreligious voice for morality and sanity, but also to demand quick action by our government now to put an end to his dangerous phenomenon in our midst.

Jewish and Muslim Leaders Fight for Shechita Rights in Denmark

27 March 2014

Source: The Jewish Link

According to Chief Rabbi of Strasbourg, Rene Gutman [Honorary President of RfP] “We forcefully made the point to the Minister that Denmark, a country known as a champion of human rights and religious freedom going back to the successful evacuation of Danish Jews to Sweden during the Nazi occupation, will now be known as a country that prevents its Muslim and Jewish citizens from practicing fundamental precepts of their faiths unhindered.”

Afzal Khan, former Lord Mayor of Manchester and co-founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester, remarked, “We made clear to Minister Jorgensen that we will continue our campaign of international pressure on Denmark until it realizes the great hurt it is causing Muslims and Jews at home and worldwide, and rescinds this ruinous policy.” Read More

Unresolved Bosnian Question Threatens European Peace

3 May 2014

Source: All Africa

After almost 20 years since a bloody war was halted in Bosnia, divisions, distrust and political blockade have not disappeared, warned Dr. Mustafa Ceric.

And as the world prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of World War I this June in Sarajevo, Ceric said he hopes that Europe “is aware of the fact that Sarajevo is not an idle place to be ignored.”

“Bosnia must be free from fear and poverty with peace, justice and security for all — otherwise history will repeat itself,” Ceric told AA. Read More