Published date*: 4th January 2011

Official Statement of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom
regarding the New Year’s Eve at the Church of Saints Mark and Peter in
Alexandria

We are deeply saddened and disturbed that once again, days of joy and
celebration have been turned into a time of mourning and weeping. Our
immediate thoughts and prayers are with all those who were affected by
the bombing at the Church of Saints Mark and Peter in Alexandria:
those who have lost their lives, their families, those who were
injured, members of that parish, Christian communities in general, and
Christians throughout the land of Egypt.

This was a time when Christians went as families to pray in the safety
of the house of God. Men, women, children and the elderly gathered
together in prayer for a happy and peaceful new year. Instead, they
became the innocent victims of a most horrific, callus and cowardly
act of terror and violence.

As a Church that has lost millions to martyrdom throughout the
centuries we understand that dying for one’s Faith is a blessing and a
privilege; we also recognise the necessity of carrying our cross. At
the same time however, we believe life and liberty to be gifts from
God which we must honour and value. Advocating for these values,
whether for our own brethren or for strangers, is a matter of
Christian responsibility.

We are concerned that incidents of violence and terror against
Christians in Egypt are increasingly spiralling out of control. They
continue to go unchecked and unresolved, and their perpetrators are
not brought to justice. This passiveness has sent out the message that
Christians in Egypt are an easy and legitimate target. Today’s event
demonstrates this and puts matters on a wholly new level.

We therefore agree with the address
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12103248>
given by His Excellency President Mubarak in which he states that ‘a
red line has been crossed.’ This is indeed a turning point in
Egypt’s history. These are no longer sectarian scuffles or attacks
on Christian Churches and communities, but are premeditated acts of
terrorism and violence that are unprecedented in Egypt. A very
different solution is now needed to deal with a very different kind of
problem.

We pray for the peace of all, Christians and Muslims alike, and that
every Egyptian may enjoy freedom and security to live and practise
Faith without fear of violence or terror; protected by the various
arms of the nation state they call home.

Bishop Angaelos

General Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Church, United Kingdom and
Scholar-Consultant to the Christian Muslim Forum

The Archbishop of Canterbury made this statement: The new year’s eve
attack on Christians in Alexandria is yet another dreadful reminder of
the pressure of Christian minorities are under in the Middle East,
echoing the atrocities we have seen in recent weeks. The Coptic
community and other Christian groups in Egypt can be sure of our deep
sorrow at this terrible event and our continuing prayers and support
for them. We know the long and honourable history of co-existence of
Christians and Muslims in Egypt and are confident that the
overwhelming majority of Egyptian people will join in condemning this
and similar acts.

We ask all Christians and Muslims to pray for peace in Egypt, and
elsewhere, to build good inter faith relations in your churches,
masjids (mosques) and neighbourhoods and support those who build
bridges and work for peace.

Imam W Deen Mohammed, a national leader of the American Muslim community,  died recently in Illinois.
Imam Mohammed, 74, was the son of Elijah Muhammad, the founder of the “Nation of Islam.” After his father’s death in 1975, Imam Mohammed led his community to mainstream Islam. 

Asalaam aleikum, shalom aleichem – May peace rest upon us:

 Violence Disrupts the Lives of Hindus and Christians in India

The horrific attacks in Mumbai, like a number of recent overseas conflicts and attacks,
have an impact on communities in the countries where they take place but also far
beyond their shores – including people and communities in the UK with links of
family and faith.
As the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK we wish to
express our sympathy and offer our prayers for those injured or bereaved in the
Mumbai attacks, as well as in others; to condemn terrorist violence; and to affirm the
crucial importance of work to increase inter religious and inter community
understanding in the UK as well as internationally.
Here in the UK, it is particularly important for the upholding and deepening of good
inter faith relations that we seek ways to handle well the impact of overseas events of
this kind and are able to talk together about these in ways which increase
understanding rather than leading to suspicion and distrust or inter community tension.
Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler (Co-Chair)
Dr Nawal K Prinja (Co-Chair)
Dr Manazir Ahsan MBE (Vice-Chair)
Mr Dorab Mistry (Vice-Chair)
Dr Indarjit Singh OBE (Vice-Chair)
Mr Vivian Wineman (Vice-Chair)

 ONE CLEAR CALL OF GRATITUDE
can wake us up and raise our consciousness
of the precious opportunities we have been given.
Enduring wisdom of the ages teaches us to practice Thanksgiving
to enjoy the ongoing gift of life.
We can either ignore our raised consciousness
or suddenly rejoice in it
DRINKING FROM THE SPARKLE OF THE GIVEN MOMENT
The illusion of entitlement denies
that we are given everything from birth to death.
Ego makes it the ego’s own invention.
But if we practice wonderment
at the priceless gift of each day – that changes life.
THANKFULNESS MYSTERIOUSLY GIVES HAPPINESS
Greed, apathy and fear deny life,
but thankfulness affirms joy and strength
and seizes the surprise of each moment.
(Grateful to the inspiration of Brother David Steindl-Rast)
Prof. Dr. Muhammad R. Abu Layla
Al Azhar University
Cairo, Egypt
His Serene Highness
Prince Nikolaus von Liechtenstein
Dr. Mandyam D. Srinath
Professor of Electrical Engineering
Southern Methodist University
Roshi Joan Halifax
Zen Center
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Kenneth J. Palmer
Lay Leader
St. Michaels and All Angels
Hon. Jeanne L. Phillips
U.S. Ambassador (ret.)
Father Seraphim Hipsh
St. Sava Orthodox Church
Plano, Texas
Cardinal Jean‐Louis Tauran
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
Vatican
Dr. Merve Kavakci
Member of Parliament – 1999
Ankara, Turkey
Mohammad Rasul
Honored Chapel Charge
Thanks‐Giving Square
Rev. Msgr. Donald F. Zimmerman
Pastor
Christ the King Catholic Church

Gaza: Call for Immediate Ceasefire

By interfaithorganisations

Statement from the Secretary General

Dr. William F. Vendley

Call for an Immediate Israeli-Palestinian Ceasefire

 

5 January 2009

 

 

 

The killing and injuring of innocent people in Gaza must stop, as must the rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. 

 

It is deeply mistaken to believe that the current path of armed conflict will bring peace. It will not. Violence breeds more violence, increases human suffering and delays the long, hard work of building a just peace.   

 

Peace can come to the Middle East, but only by honoring the rights of both the Palestinians and Israelis, facilitating painful but honorable compromises through sustained dialogue, and engaging the moral convictions shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims who know the Holy Land to be their common home. 

 

Morally responsible Israelis and Palestinians know that the “right to self defense” can never be used as an excuse for killing, harming or inflicting collective punishment on innocent civilians. These abuses fuel the spiral of violence. 

 

In Gaza, scores of innocent civilians, including many children, have been killed over the last few days. Military action has split Gaza in two, with innocent civilians trapped in the crossfire. The entire population is under siege. Already desperately short of medicine, food and fuel, the residents of Gaza now face an extremely grave humanitarian crisis.   

 

In Israel, innocent civilians continue to be mortally threatened by the ongoing rocket attacks against them.   

 

Neither the suffering of so many innocent Palestinians nor the attacks and suicide bombings targeting innocent Israelis can be justified. These acts are morally wrong, fuel cycles of violence and block the path to peace.       

 

The Israeli and Palestinian leaders must initiate an immediate ceasefire. Additional urgently needed provisions and humanitarian supplies must be provided to the Palestinians in Gaza. At the same time, peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, with the full assistance of principled third parties, must begin.      

 

Finally, Jews, Christians and Muslims, supported by the goodwill of believers of all religious faiths, should unite in their efforts to build peace. Religions for Peace knows that real security is “shared security” and that the other’s peace is also their own. In the Middle East, there will be no peace for anyone unless there is peace with justice for all.       

 

 

 

 

Religions for Peace is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace since 1970. Headquartered in New York and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through affiliated inter-religious councils in 70 countries in six continents. 

 

 

 

 

This message was sent from Dr. William F. Vendley to hopeis@btinternet.com. It was sent from: Religions For Peace, 777 United Nations Plaza 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

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One Response to “Gaza: Call for Immediate Ceasefire”

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2 Responses to “Gaza: Call for a Cease Fire”

1. interfaithorganisations Says:
   January 6, 2009 at 9:33 pm   editThe World Congress of Faiths joins with Religions for Peace in calling for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza and expressing its deep sympathy with the bereaved and the injured.
2. interfaithorganisations Says:
   January 6, 2009 at 9:46 pm   editStatement from Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs
   of the Inter Faith Network for the UK

   The Inter Faith Network exists to promote understanding between people of different faiths in the UK and works to help create good inter faith relations in this country. Violent events overseas of any nature can, inevitably, have repercussions here in Britain. As we have said in the past, at times of tension it is particularly important for the upholding and deepening of good inter faith relations that we seek ways to handle well the impact of overseas events of this kind and are able to talk together about them in ways which increase understanding rather than leading to suspicion and distrust or inter community tension. This seems very relevant to us at the present time of crisis in Gaza. While we – from different communities – pray for peace and work for justice, let us also hold firmly to the principle of maintaining bonds of trust between our communities even where these are strongly tested.

   Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler (Co-Chair)
   Dr Nawal K Prinja (Co-Chair)
   Dr Manazir Ahsan MBE (Vice-Chair)
   Mr Dorab Mistry (Vice-Chair)
   Dr Indarjit Singh CBE (Vice-Chair)
   Mr Vivian Wineman (Vice-Chair)

   The Inter Faith Network for the UK was founded in 1987. It links in membership national representative organisations of the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Zoroastrian faiths in the UK; national, regional and local inter faith organisations; and educational and academic bodies with an interest in inter faith issues.

   It works with its member bodies and other agencies to promote good relations between the faith communities in the UK; to combat inter religious prejudice and intolerance; and to help make the UK a country marked by mutual understanding and respect between religions where all can practise their faith with integrity.

   For further information please see the Network’s website at http://www.interfaith.org.uk or contact the office on 020 7931 7766.

From the Dialogue Institute

The Dialogue Institute is inspired by the vision of our new president, Barack Obama, in his stirring inaugural address. He affirms that God calls on “men, women and children of every race and every faith” to join in shaping destiny, and urges a rededication to dialogue and cooperation with the religions and ideologies of the world, recognizing that “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly.”

These duties emerge from our collective multicultural heritage and legacy, as our new leader reminds us that: “… our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth…as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself.” President Obama vows that America “must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace,” and this work demands “an even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.”  In a very special way, he boldly extends his hand in friendship, as he proclaims “To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”

The Dialogue Institute invites you to celebrate together with us as we gladly seize these duties, and recommit to engaging in the efforts that honor the human spirit in each of us. We hope that you will join us in this fervent rededication to interreligious dialogue and cooperation, creating a movement of global proportions.

January 20, 2009

Prof. Leonard Swidler, Founder and President

Dr. Racelle Weiman, Executive Director

We welcome your reaction to our statement at this special time in history and ask your permission to possibly publish your written response.

tub70009@temple.edu

.

Dr Williams said: “We understand the complexity of the situation in the region and we support the rights of Israel to security and self defence and Palestinians to self determination, believing that this can be best achieved through a lasting peace settlement. We cannot, however, stand by in the meantime. We are bound to play our part in the relief of suffering in the region generally and in Gaza in particular at the present time. We are assured that Christian Aid, PHR-Israel and Islamic Relief are able through their existing work to guarantee that funds are used for humanitarian purposes on the basis of need alone regardless of ethnicity, religion or nationality. They have long experience in many parts of the world and are trusted by their local partners. I hope that all people of faith – and all of goodwill – will support this initiative by giving generously and by using all available websites and other resources to contribute and to spread the word

www.faithsworkingtogether.org

For further information on:

Christian Aid

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Islamic Relief

http://www.islamic-relief.com/

PHR-Israel

http://www.phr.org.il/phr/article.asp?articleid=24&catid=51&pcat=51&lang=ENG

UN Decade of Dialogue

March 24, 2009

Dear Friend,

Today, alongside the Baptist World Alliance, HRH Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad and others, I was present at the dedication of the new Baptism Centre at the Baptism Site in Jordan. The Centre will be available particularly for use by all Christian traditions that practice the believers’ baptism by immersion.

This is a deeply historic place, where it is traditionally believed Jesus Christ was baptised by John. But this site is not only momentous to the Christian world, it also symbolises hope for peaceful co-existence in the Middle East. It recognises the fact that this region has for centuries been the home to sites holy to Christians, Jews and Muslims alike. It has been a place where interfaith relations have been lived out day by day- on the ground, in the market place, on the street, in the daily interchange of neighbourly relations.

It took courage and leadership for Jordan, a predominantly Muslim country,  to facilitate this site of baptism. But it took more. It took the same spirit that animated John and Jesus, and the Prophet Mohammed and all the Prophets of old. Each took the world as it was – alienated from God – and tried to make it how it should be – reconciled to God Justice, mercy, compassion, the ‘us” not the ‘me’, pure unselfish love. This is what they stood for.

Back then, their world was small. But their message was not. And in the larger world we inhabit today, where we travel through continents and time zones, their message is the same message today, centuries later.

Don’t look inwards, but look outwards. Don’t exclude, embrace.

Don’t argue about differences, but understand what is shared and fulfil a common purpose blessed by God.

It is also deeply encouraging that the Baptist World Alliance’s President Reverend Dr David Coffey, who is also a member of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s Global Advisory Council, has also just delivered the Alliance’s response to the Common Word letter. HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, a principal initiator of this letter signed by 138 Muslim scholars and leaders, has warmly received the Baptist response. The letter calls on Christian leaders to enter into dialogue with Muslims and focus on commonalities between the faiths. My Foundation is very supportive of the Common Word initiative as a whole.

So this site in Jordan is not simply a place of archaeology. It is a place that now, as in John’s time, is a place for renewal.

The dedication of the centre is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the need to renew. Renew our faith in our God, in our Lord, and in his message: that true love is not measured in the receiving but the giving; and the giving, not limited by human prejudice but enlarged by the infinite possibility of the love of God.

–Tony Blair

Click here to read the full text of Tony Blair’s speech at the opening of the Baptism Centre in Jordan

A World of Difference

The Parliament of World Religions to be held in Melbourne, Australia in December of this year will be a chance to experience and appreciate the wonderful variety of religions, races, languages and cultures which belong together in our one world. It will be an opportunity also to make a difference to our world as we learn from each other effective ways to work for peace, to overcome poverty and to care for earth.

Plans for the Parliament were previewed at a well-attended gathering at Australia House, London, on March 19^th. Participants were welcomed by the Australian High Commissioner, HE Mr John Dauth and by the Agent General for Victoria, Mr David Buckingham, who spoke of the multi-religious and multi-cultural life of Melbourne.  Rabbi Jackie Tabick, Chair of the World Congress of Faiths, which arranged the meeting, who presided, expressed sympathy for the tragic loss of life and devastation that the people of Victoria had recently experienced.

Short films of welcome to Melbourne and of the history of the Parliament of World Religions were shown. Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, President of the World Congress of Faiths, explained that the first Parliament was held in Chicago in 1893. To mark its centenary 1993 was widely observed as a ‘Year of Inter-religious Understanding and Co-operation.’ Special gatherings were held in Bangalore and once more in Chicago. Subsequent Parliaments have been held in Cape Town and Barcelona. The Parliament, he said, is a sign of hope. The message of Charles Bonney, President of the 1893 Parliament, is still relevant today. “When the religious faiths of the world recognise each other as children of one Father… then and not till then will the nations of the earth yield to th e Spirit of concord and learn war no more.”

Sister Maureen Goodman, of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, outlined the programmes that the World Congress of Faiths hopes to present at the Parliament. One will encourage people to reflect on how meeting members of a different religion and learning about their beliefs and practices can enrich our own spiritual journey. It will suggest that when we meet in silence we can experience together the Divine Mystery. Another programme will focus on the Spiritual Need of those who are growing older. All religions teach respect for parents and ancestors, but the modern world often makes it difficult for families to provide the care they need. The Programme will be called ‘Revered or Redundant.’ Another programme will look at the importance of faith – “Fideology” – with special reference to the writings of the distinguished scholar Wilfred Cantwell Smith.

Zabrina Santiago, Deputy Executive Director of the Parliament, outlined plans for this great event. The hope is that it will have symbolic significance and not only inspire those who attend, but encourage all who are engaged in interfaith work wherever they live.

The London meeting was preceded by a Retreat, also arranged by the World Congress of Faiths, at the beautiful Global Retreat Centre, near Oxford, by kind invitation of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. It was a chance to deepen fellowship and to share ways in which the interfaith movement can make a world of difference

Marcus Braybrooke

Pope Benedict XVI has said the suffering of Holocaust victims must never be denied as he visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.

“May the names of these victims never perish. May their suffering never be denied, belittled or forgotten,” he said in the midst of survivors.

The pontiff began his trip to the Holy Land by saying in Tel Aviv that anti-Semitism was totally unacceptable.

He also voiced support for the Palestinians’ right to a homeland.

Sacred places

The Pope began the day’s visits at the Dome of the Rock, located on the Temple Mount – a site sacred to all three monotheistic religions.

Katya Adler, BBC News, Jerusalem

He removed his shoes according to Islamic custom when entering a holy site, and met the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Mohammad Hussein.

“Here the paths of the world’s three great monotheistic religions meet, reminding us what they share in common,” said the Pope.

The mufti called on the Pope to end Israeli “aggression” against Palestinians.

Pope Benedict then moved to the nearby Western  Wall where he met Israel’s chief rabbis.

The wall is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount, dating back to a time when a Jewish temple stood there.

He said the visit gave him the opportunity to reiterate the Catholic Church’s commitment to “a genuine and lasting reconciliation between Christians and Jews”.

The Pope placed a written prayer into a gap in the wall, before standing in silence with his head bowed.

His prayer asked the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” to send “peace upon this Holy Land, upon the Middle East, upon the entire human family”.

At the Mass in Josaphat Valley, he said the departure of many Christians in recent years was a “tragic reality”.

“In the Holy Land there is room for everyone,” he said to applause.

“I urge the authorities to respect, to support and to value the Christian presence here.”

The pontiff later visited the site reputed to be where Jesus took his Last Supper before his crucifixion and resurrection.

From the Wisdom NewsletterPlease click here (http://www.elijah-interfaith.org/index.php?id=879) to see it online.

Barcelona meeting – Reason and Scripture in Islam

 As part of the ongoing research project, “Towards a Contemporary Muslim Theology of World Religions”, supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, a group of Muslim scholars recently met in Barcelona for an in-depth discussion of the subject of Reason and Scripture. The issues of Scripture and Reason are indeed fundamental to any theological project, for they touch on the foundations of epistemology – how we know what we know, and what are the grounds upon which we base our religious knowledge. The question of whether human reason has a role or significance within the more exalted realms of Divine knowledge and disclosure is a question that every religious tradition must confront in one way or another. In the case of Islam, this is a particularly vital issue, inasmuch as it once gave rise to the flourishing of the Islamic learning and civilization and inasmuch as it has a direct bearing upon the ways in which the Islamic religious sciences, including law, theology and spirituality, are understood and lived by the more than one billion Muslims on planet earth today. Any attempt at reviving the Islamic sciences and reformulating a Muslim approach to the global question of religious diversity hinges upon this question. In Barcelona, the team affirmed they do not see themselves as creators of a new theology or paradigm; rather, they envision their task to be one of scholarly restoration, intended to help restore and revitalize important aspects of the Islamic tradition that have been ignored, understudied, misrepresented, often maligned, and prohibited from public access. The fruit of this meeting will be written up into an essay, with contributions by multiple participants, and will be available in a few months.

24^th Israeli-Palestinian retreat of interfaith encounter.

In the afternoon of April 30^th , 2009, we opened the 24^th Israeli-Palestinian retreat of interfaith encounter. It was again a joint retreat of the Interfaith Encounter Association and the Hope Flowers School, sponsored by Canada’s Networking for Peace program – to whom we are deeply grateful. 

We began by briefly introducing the two organizations and their activities, followed by introduction of the agenda for the retreat and its guiding principles. Then participants went into small conversation groups for a session of self-introduction. They first shared their life story and then they each shared a story of a personal meaningful experience of prayer. 

Conversations were so alive that it was difficult to break for dinner and when we did – they continued during the meal.

After dinner we had a joint social evening with happy songs led by Ribhi’s oud for many hours.

 The morning started with the Jewish perspective. The short presentation of prayer in Judaism was given by Rabbi Gideon Sylvester. Rabbi Sylvester shared a story he heard from his rabbi about a child taken by his father to the synagogue for the first time. He is so touched by the sincerity and intensity of the prayer that he feels overwhelmed with his wish to pray to God, but as he doesn’t know to read he reaches to his whistle and blows it loudly. Many are upset but the rabbi says that all the prayers of the community were elevated to God thanks to the pure intention of this whistle. This story stresses the most important element – which is the heart’s yearning to God. But one should also know the procedures and follow them.

The guiding principle is to remain in connection with God all the time. There are three daily prayers – in the morning, afternoon and evening. They are coming from the Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – and also represent the sacrifices of the Temple. This represents the past. In the synagogue the praying are facing the ark, which contains the Torah scrolls so represents the present of the full commitment to the whole of the Torah and its commandments. The synagogue itself is directed towards Jerusalem, which represents the future with the Third Temple and the better world which will come with it for everyone.

The presentation raised many points of interest and the conversations continued in the small groups.

Following the groups’ session we broke for the Jumaa prayer and lunch. 

The afternoon was dedicated to the Muslim and Christian perspectives.

1. Muslims should pray five times a day from sun rise to sunset. There is importance to the way of how to be prepared for the pray  through purification (“alwodoo”) and it is very important to clean the self  before praying because people pray for Allah (God). Samer also spoke about the declaring for praying through alathaan (announcer) and that is to call by the loudspeakers in the mosques. He also explained the way of praying and what people shall say during the prayer.

 The Christian presentation was given by Ms. Seren Ghattas. The presentation started with a brief introduction about Christianity and the Old and New Testament, which are the two parts – the old and the new – of the holy book in which the Christians believes. The prayer of Christians can be done any time, unlike Islam which has specific time for each pray.  The presentation gave an idea about the bread Christians eat after the prayer, which represent the body of Jesus which is called communion. 

In the concluding session many participants spoke to the high potential of interfaith encounter in the building of peaceful relations between the peoples. Many said the retreat helped them regain the hope they lost.

—————————————————————————————————-

The Interfaith Encounter Association

P.O.Box  3814, Jerusalem 91037, Israel

Phone: +972-2-6510520

Fax:     +972-2-6510557

Website: www.interfaith-encounter.org

Board: 

  Ms. Evelyne Savir (Chair)

  Dr. Shlomo Alon

  Ms. Nadia Tutunji-Nuseibeh

  Ms. Saheer Siam

  Mr. Rizk Azam

Dr. Yehuda Stolov, Executive Director

E-mail: yehuda@interfaith-encounter.org

Mr. Salah Alladin, Assistant Director

On Friday 17^th May, 2009, Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace laureate, was detained on her entry into Houston Airport, USA, by Homeland Security Immigration.

Maguire was on her way home to Northern Ireland, after attending a 3 day conference in Guatemala, which was hosted by herself and three Sister Nobel Peace Laureates, Rigoberta Menchu, Jody Williams, and Shirin Ebadi.   150 women activists from around the World attended the Nobel Womens’ Conference to discuss, ‘Redefining Democracy, Human Rights and Peace.’

Maguire was held for two hours, during which she was questioned, fingerprinted, photographed and questioned.  This resulted in her missing her flight. She was released upon the actions of the Nobel Women’s Initiatives representatives’ who insisted on her immediate release.

Upon release Maguire said:

‘This kind of behaviour and treatment is unacceptable.  I have always been inspired by the American Peace Movement and consider an honour to be able to support them in their work for a peaceful humanity, truly in the spirit of the American people and their inspiration Constitution of freedom and justice for all.

Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate www.peacepeople.com

Milestones in Recent Catholic-Jewish Relations:
  Dear friends,   Scarboro Missions in Toronto is proud to announce the publication of this important document; this original piece of research will be of great value to anyone in the field of Christian-Jewish dialogue.

This document chronicles, on a year-by-year basis, the dramatic advances in Catholic-Jewish dialogue since the Second Vatican Council. This detailed profile of significant changes and developments in Catholic-Jewish relations will be very useful to teachers, students, researchers, historians, interfaith practicioners and others. This document can be downloaded free of charge.

Here is the link:   http://www.scarboromissions.ca/Interfaith_dialogue/catholic_jewish_relations.php  

Peace,

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (Cairo, Egypt) Remarks of President Barack Obama A New Beginning Cairo, Egypt June 4, 2009

I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world – tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam. Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust. So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end. I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do – to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart. Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith. As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar University – that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library. So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.” Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores – that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average. Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it. So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity. Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all. For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings. This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared. That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together. The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms. In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people. The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with. Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case. That’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths – more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace. We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon. Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.” Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq’s democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron. And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer. The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied. Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve. On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers – for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security. That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up to our responsibilities. Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered. Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist. At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress. Finally, the Arab States must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognize Israel’s legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past. America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true. Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer. The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons. This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build. It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path. I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation – including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal. The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other. That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere. There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments – provided they govern with respect for all their people. This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy. The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom. Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways. Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one’s own faith by the rejection of another’s. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq. Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat. Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism. Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster. The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights. I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous. Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world. Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams. Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity. I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities. In all nations – including my own – this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities – those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith. But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education. This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investments within my country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement. On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on-line learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo. On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world. On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops. And today I am announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health. All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life. The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together. I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world. All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings. It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today. We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written. The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.” The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.” The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you. end of President Obama’s speech

 Greetings!

From Dr Kamran Mofid

Dear all, I hope this email finds you all well. I am delighted to let you know that our eighth annual international conference of  the Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative, held at Loyola University, Chicago’s Jesuit University, during during May 31^st to June 4^th 2009 was a resounding success.The conference attracted 250 delegates and 99 extraordinary presenters from many corners of the world for a lively discussion and a fruitful debate on many different aspects of globalisation. The conference’s main theme was on “Globalisation: The Challenge to America”. The participants at the conference focused their attention primarily on a critique of the role of the United States in the current dynamic of world affairs. They examined the positive and negative dimensions of America’s global stance. They explored some of the very real challenges that America must meet if globalisation is to be guided toward the common good, both within the US and in the larger world. Other thematic areas were also addressed and debated. They included (but were not limited to) the following:

• The Virtuous Economy: the Role of the Global Business Community
• Globalization and the Media: Balanced Representation and the Common Good
• Globalization, Civilizational Dialogue, and the Role of the Global Interfaith Movement
• The Global Environment: Climate, Habitat, Water, Energy, and All Life
• The Struggle for Social and Economic Justice and Universal Human Rights
• Global Cultures of Peace

The Conference provided an excellent forum to analyze, discuss and debate the challenge of globalisation, and to make recommendations for the future, as noted in

our “Chicago Declaration”:  http://www.gcgchicago2009.org/Conference_Declaration.html

To read the conference report please see: http://www.gcgchicago2009.org/CONFERENCE_REPORT.html

For past conferences see: http://www.gcgchicago2009.org/PastConferences.html

Finally, it is my pleasure and honour to extend our warmest invitation to you to consider joining us for our 2010 international conference which will be hosted at

California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

See details: http://www.callutheran.edu/CLV/2010_GCG_conference.pdf

Warmest regards,

Go Well,

Kamran

…………………………………..

Kamran Mofid PhD (ECON)

Founder, Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative

www.globalisationforthecommongood.info

Co-editor, Journal of Globalisation for the Common Good

www.commongoodjournal.com

Globalisation for the Common Good, Chicago 2009

http://www.gcgchicago2009.info/

The World Council of Churches on Thursday appointed Revd Dr. Olav Fykse
Tveit as their new General Secretary. Dr. Fykse Tveit is a 48 year old
Lutheran theologian from Norway who for two decades has played an active
role in international interchurch relations. He will now head an
organisation that brings together most of the world’s Protestant and
Orthodox churches, representing 560 million Christians worldwide.

Summary of Pope Benedict XVI’s New Encyclical, by John Hart

In an era of global religious conflict, idealism has a new face: interfaith leadership through service. We believe there will be no peace in the world without religious pluralism, and no religious pluralism without the leadership of young people. Interfaith leadership is the key to ensuring that the 21st Century is defined by common service, not conflict, among the world’s diverse religious communities. Interfaith Youth Core’s (IFYC) 6th Conference, Leadership for a Religiously Diverse World, will engage participants in the question of how young people can be the architects of a global movement of interfaith service. This Conference will offer: Already Registered? Click Here Plenary sessions with dynamic speakers, including religious leaders, young people, activists, policy makers, academics and more; The debut of IFYC’s premiere interfaith leadership training; Interactive workshops and trainings from best-in-class organizations and practitioners from around the world; Networking opportunities with leaders in the emerging interfaith youth movement. We welcome faith leaders, educators, researchers, student leaders, community activists, civic leaders, media professionals, funding professionals, and policy influencers. Join interfaith youth movement colleagues from across the country as we explore interfaith leadership in today’s world! Space is extremely limited, so register now! Are you a student interested in attending? Apply to receive an Interfaith Leadership scholarship!

news@ifyc.org

> On Thursday 29 October senior religious leaders from Thailand and Sri
> Lanka met in central Bangkok for an encounter between the newly formed
> Interreligious Councils in the two Asian countries. The open encounter was
> also attended by more than a hundred guests representing government, the
> diplomatic community in Bangkok, academics as well as various religious
> communities.
>
> Read more at: http://www.rfp-europe.eu/index.cfm?id=264779

Ecumenical News International
Peter Kenny  Dec 14, 2009

Bells pealed as a warning on climate change after the Archbishop of Canterbury told a church service in Copenhagen, attended by people from major faiths and Christian denominations, that humanity can only show love to all by making the earth a secure home.

Archbishop Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the 77-million strong Anglican Communion, preached the main sermon before Danish royalty, Denmark’s prime minister and religious leaders in a packed Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen’s Lutheran cathedral.

“We cannot show the right kind of love for our fellow humans unless we also work at keeping the earth as a place that is a secure home for all people,” Williams said at the December 13 service described as “an ecumenical celebration for creation”.

The service marked the midpoint of United Nations-organized talks in the Danish capital to reach agreement on limiting emissions held responsible for causing climate change.

The Danish monarch, Queen Margrethe II, attended the service for which members of the public snaked around the block on which the cathedral stands, trying to squeeze in, only for many of them to be turned away.

Archbishop Williams told the congregation, “The deepest religious basis for our commitment to the environment in which God has placed us, is this recognition that we are called to be, and are enabled to be, the place where God’s love for the world comes through.

“We have to flesh out in our lives that fundamental biblical conviction that when God looks on the world he finds it good. We have to show in our lives some echo of the delight God finds in creation.”

The dean of Copenhagen Cathedral, the Rev. Anders Gadegaard, told the congregation, “As we light our candles, passing the flames to our neighbours, we give light to each other. Let us bring this sign of hope with us into the world.”

This was the signal for the cathedral to begin the chiming of its bells 350 times, joined by other churches in Denmark, Scandinavia and the rest of central Europe. Churches worldwide had been invited to ring bells and other instruments 350 times at 3 p.m. local time in solidarity with the service in Copenhagen.

Before the Copenhagen service, the pealing of bells had begun on the island of Fiji in the South Pacific and would end later in California.

The number 350 represents the particles per million that is the acceptable level of carbon dioxide emission, according to the United Nations.

Delegations from 192 countries at the U.N. meeting in Copenhagen have the task of trying to agree what should follow on from the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol, a U.N.-brokered agreement aimed at limiting emissions of greenhouse gases that lead to climate change. The protocol expires at the end of 2012.

Shortly before the service, police with bomb-sniffing dogs combed the church and its surrounding area as a helicopter hovered over the nearby parliament and city hall to keep an eye on the centre of the Danish capital.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, enthralled thousands of people braving the cold weather as he took part in a petition handover before the cathedral service. The former anti-apartheid campaigner roared out to the crowd with a gusto that showed the 78-year-old one-time Anglican archbishop of Cape Town still brims with the energy to protest.

Standing before Copenhagen City Hall, Tutu handed the petition with 512,894 signatures to Yvo de Boer, the United Nations’ top climate official.

“Here we are today marching and demonstrating the injustice of climate change – 500,000 thousand have signed. Half a million signatures – that is fantastic,” enthused Archbishop Tutu, dressed in a grey worker’s cap and heavy overcoat. “Persuade them to be smart like you,” said Archbishop Tutu as he handed the petition calling for climate justice to de Boer.

De Boer replied to a crowd of a few thousand, “Next week about 120 heads of states and governments are going to be here. So, let your voices be heard.”

The day before, not far from the same spot, a group of church-led protestors had gathered in front of the cathedral, which was draped with a banner painted with the words “Time for climate change”. There, Archbishop Williams gave a speech in which he urged support for actions to combat climate change.

Religious leaders commit to visible and active leadership on HIV

Religious leaders from every continent and many of the world’s faiths commit
to stronger, more collaborative efforts to eliminate stigma and
discrimination against people living with HIV.
Den Dolder, The Netherlands, 23 March 2010 – High level religious and
spiritual leaders from many of the world’s major religions pledged
“stronger, more visible and practical leadership in the response to HIV” as
the first global High Level Summit of Religious Leaders on HIV concluded
today in The Netherlands.

Read more at: http://www.rfp-europe.eu/index.cfm?id=287584

More than half the population in Nigeria and Rwanda fear future bloodshed along religious lines – so says new research from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. But it says on the whole Christians and Muslims across Africa view one another favorably.

The survey found that across sub-Saharan Africa one-quarter of people worry that religion will lead to conflict. “There are significant numbers who say religious conflict is a big problem in their country. Highest among that, incidentally, is Nigeria which probably won’t come as a surprise to many people given the headlines that we’ve been seeing,”  said Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, part of the Pew Research Center based in Washington.

More than 500 people have been killed in clashes between Muslims and Christians in central Nigeria this year.

A large number of African Christians – in more than a dozen countries as many as 40 percent – said they consider Muslims to be violent. Muslims were more positive in their assessment of Christians.

But the majority of sub-Saharan Africans were positive about both religions and said it was a good thing for people from other religions to practice their faith freely. “The majority of Muslims and Christians identified the other faith with positive characteristics – they’re being tolerant, honest, respectful of women and devout. Much fewer identified people of the other faith with negative characteristics such as selfish or immoral or arrogant,” said Lugo.

Lugo says part of the reason for the good relations may be that there are often members of different religions within one family.

And, he says, religious zeal is equal across both faiths.  “Both share a high degree of religious commitment, which would not be the case, let’s say, as Muslims interact with fairly secular European societies to give you a contrasting example. Muslims and Christians both have strong moral conservatives value and they share those values,” he said.

The survey is based on more than 25,000 face-to-face interviews conducted in more than 60 languages or dialects across 19 countries.

More than 90 percent of people surveyed identified themselves as Christians or Muslim. Lugo says this is why Africa was a good place to begin his research – which will go on to look at religion in other parts of the world. “This is as good a place as any if you’re going to find a meeting place or a fault line depending on your point of view between these two traditions and how they negotiate their differences. This is probably the best place in the world to do that,” he said.

According to the survey, many people who believe in Christianity or Islam also retain beliefs that are characteristic of traditional African religion. Many keep sacred objects such as animal skins and skulls in their homes and consult traditional healers when someone is sick.

Selah Hennessy | London 15 April 2010

www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Survey

The European Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace will meet
for their  annual meeting on 26 – 28 April 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey. The
meeting is generously hosted by ECRL member HE Prof. Dr Ali Bardakoglu,
President of Religious Affairs in Turkey.

The main theme of the council meeting will be: “At the Crossroads: Justice,
Equality and Sharing as a Basis for Cultures of Peace”, and the council will
address the issue of minorities’ situation in Europe including the banning
of minarets in Switzerland November 2009.

Read more at: http://www.rfp-europe.eu/index.cfm?id=290024

Medical equipment for a children’s  hospital is urgently needed.
To ensure that equipment we have to raise over £70,000.
We deeply appreciate your support and looking forward to hear from you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further questions.

Best wishes

Daniel Hurter
Operations Manager
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Children’s Relief Bethlehem UK
PO Box 320
Penzance
TR18 9BY

Tel. 0844 22 50 300

daniel.hurter@crb-mail.org.uk
www.childrens-relief-bethlehem.org.uk

Children’s Relief Bethlehem UK is a registered charity No. 1133383
and a company limited by guarantee No. 7033530 in England and Wales.
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Documentary – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGA7qciOO3Y

News from RELIGIONS for PEACE :

The European Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace annual
meeting opened in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday 26 April 2010. The meeting
lasts until Wednesday and the main theme is “At the Crossroads: Justice,
Equality and Sharing as a Basis for Cultures of Peace”.

Dr A Hadi Adanali, the adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister on
intercultural affairs, gave the key note address in the opening session of
the meeting. He presented the Turkish government’s initiatives linked to the
Alliance of Civilisation process; “The first decade of the 21st century has
seen a growing recognition of the role of religion in the meeting of
cultures,” he said, and also emphasised the necessity in our time for
religious leaders to understand and interact with youth culture.

In his report to the council, ECRL Moderator Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, placed
the work of the council within the context or present day challenges for
religions in Europe:

Read more at: http://www.rfp-europe.eu/index.cfm?id=291742