Religions for Peace was among 25 signatories on a statement released by the UN Refugee Agency entitled “Faith Actors call for Global Solidarity.” The statement was released on World Refugee Day, observed on 20 June.
“The diversity of origins and traditions which make humanity unique are being targeted by intolerance, sometimes by brutal violence, and refugees are often on the front line of this assault,” reads the statement. “Based on their religious teachings, as well as on the experience that some of their communities have of being targeted themselves, faith-based actors seek to address xenophobia as one of their special responsibilities.”
The number of displaced people in the world has eclipsed 70 million. Social media campaigns, including #RefugeeForum and #StepWithRefugees also supported solidarity with refugees.