Religions for Peace (RfP) is deeply saddened by the terrorist attack in Paris. There is no justification for this act of violence; it grossly distorts the message of Islam and is a source of anguish to all sincere believers.
We note with appreciation the statement issued by the European Council of Religious Leaders- RfP (click here).
As the world’s largest multi-religious coalition, we stand together in the categorical rejection of violent religious extremism that is used to justify terrorism or any other form of violence in the name of religion. This ideology is misguided, as the primary narrative of each religion is Peace-not violence. The attack in Paris is an attack on all of humanity; it debases a great religious tradition holy to 1.6 billion people and leaves us all vulnerable and insecure. Our diverse religious traditions call us to stand united in solidarity with the dignity, vulnerability and well-being of the “other,” with the full force of our respective spiritual and moral teachings.
As religious leaders, we accept a special responsibility to reject, condemn and take action against violent religious extremism. We are committed to mobilizing the great resources of our respective religious traditions to take action together to help overcome it. Following the Abu Dhabi Statement (click here), co-issued by RfP and the Forum for Peace in Muslim Societies, which categorically condemns all forms of violent religious extremism, we have created a multi-religious, multi-stakeholder plan to counter violent religious extremism. Through the cooperation of religious communities, governments, intergovernmental bodies and other civil society actors, it will be possible to not only counter violent religious extremism, but also to build the common good that honors human dignity and advances the flourishing of the global family.
Yours in Peace,
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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.
777 United Nations Plaza | New York, NY 10017 USA | Tel: +1 212-687-2163 | Fax: +1 212-983-0098 | www.religionsforpeace.org
