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

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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This entry was posted on January 6, 2009 at 9:40 am and is filed under Global Interfaith Issues, IION meetings and events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Edit this entry.

One Response to “Gaza: Call for Immediate Ceasefire”

1. Gaza. Call for Ceasefire « International Interfaith Organisations Network Says:
   January 6, 2009 at 9:47 am   edit[...] International Interfaith Organisations Network building interfaith co-operation worldwide « 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.