> 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
Archive for October, 2009
Religious leaders from Thailand and Sri Lanka meet in Bangkok
October 31, 2009
Call for International Centre for Dialogue
October 28, 2009 Delegates at a recent interfaith conference in Geneva organized by the Makkah-based Muslim World League expressed support for a proposal to set up an international center for dialogue that executes new programs to put the initiative in practice.
A communiqué issued at the end of the conference, which was held at the initiative of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for dialogue among followers of religions and cultures, lauded the Monarchs efforts to proceed with dialogue at an international level.
The conference was .
The communiqué called on the media to play a pivotal role in spreading the culture of dialogue and enhancing its goals and foundations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
The delegates confirmed keenness to forge the objectives of the dialogue in cultural and social programs.
Delegates emphasized the need to nurture a culture of dialogue among the younger generation to make the historic initiative a success. They also pointed out that misunderstanding about other faiths and cultures and the absence of mutual trust were the main reason for conflicts.
The communiqué said the initiative of King Abdullah asks for the inspiration of the principles of Islam calling for creating a world of justice, security and peace, SPA said.
The conference reviewed the current relations between different human civilizations, confirming the importance of correcting the misunderstanding that religions are the cause behind todays problems.
The communiqué confirmed that religion was, in principle, never part of the difference of mankind, noting that some extremists from the followers of religions have given such a false impression.
It also underscored the importance of the Makkah Declaration calling for the establishment of an international Islamic Commission for dialogue.
The statement reviewed the sufferings of peoples in several parts of the world and their human and economic repercussions. The delegates drew the attention of cultural establishments to the contents of international resolutions preventing the spread of hatred and racial segregation.
The communiqué also called for serious cooperation to face the contemporary challenges, particularly poverty, ignorance, illness and natural disasters.
The conference voiced support for the participation of more women and youth in future dialogue conferences.
During the deliberations Swami Agnivesh, president of the World Council of Arya Samaj, expressed his delight over the progress achieved by the Kings initiative through the meetings held in Madrid, Vienna and Geneva.
He narrated a story from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to explain how kind and compassionate the Prophet was to a Jewish woman who used to throw rubbish at him while he passed by her house. When the Prophet knew she was sick he visited her at home and gave her a basket of fruits. “This is the example we should follow.”
Agnivesh also ridiculed Samuel Huntingtons theory of the clash of civilizations.
“That theory belonged to him alone and is not subscribed to by his religion or country,” he said.
However, he pointed out that Huntingtons theory instigated King Abdullah to think about this new initiative to promote coexistence between different cultures and faiths.
The Hindu leader urged the followers of different faiths to abide by the teachings of their faiths. – Agencies
7th Doha Inter-faith Dialogue Conference
October 28, 2009Participants of the 7th Doha Inter-faith Dialogue Conference underlined the significance of religions’ role in human solidarity in order to meet the challenges that facing humanity including wars, calamities and conflicts. This came in the Declaration issued by of the Doha Conference, which concluded at the Doha Sheraton Hotel tonight after two days of serious deliberations on a number of difficult issues ranging from violent conflicts and extreme poverty, which is wasting human dignity. The participants of the Conference expressed conviction that human solidarity in a broad sense could only be built through tireless dialogue, joint action and planned programs with a view to helping the needy through a genuine respect for the rights and duties that are bound by religions. According to the declaration, the conference with over 250 participants from 59 countries including Muslims, Christians and Jewish stressed that they were committed to seeking ways to overcome the conflicts and injustices that still separates them, and at all local, regional and global levels in order to build human solidarity. The Conference underlined the need for cooperation among the followers to achieve the desired human solidarity. 7th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue-Declaration Over 250 participants from 59 countries, Jews, Christians and Muslims met for the Seventh Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue. In a declaration issued Wednesday at the end of the conference, the participants expressed their deep gratitude to H.H. the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and the people of Qatar for their generous hospitality. In addition, they paid tribute to the organizers of the conference, the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DCID), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Qatar University for continuing this series of conferences and thereby helping to build confidence and trust among all the participants. This made possible serious but serene discussion on a number of difficult and sometimes painful issues ranging from violent conflict to extreme poverty which degrades humanity, the declaration said. The theme of human solidarity challenged the participants to draw on the best of their spiritual resources while at the same acknowledging that no community can be complacent that they have implemented the high ideals of their respective religions. Only through cooperation, understanding and mutual respect can a truly human solidarity be achieved. Participants discussed together the continuing existence of wars, violence and injustice. They recognized that it is often the weak and innocent who are the first victims. In the context of the current global financial crisis they deplored the increase in extreme poverty, hunger and disease. Recognizing that religious communities are deeply involved in humanitarian response to such need and suffering, they urged greater cooperation in tackling these challenges. Whether disasters are natural or human-made, there remains a major responsibility on humankind to deploy resources with greater equity and more ecological sustainability. Human beings need each other to overcome obstacles to peace and justice, and should draw on the guidance of the common wisdom of their particular but often converging religious traditions. While claiming human rights of all human beings there must be recognition of the duties to protect such rights and to promote their implementation. It is not only necessary to have protection through constitutions and internationally recognized conventions but there should be a change in mentalities and attitudes whereby one is conscious of one’s own rights but also of those of the neighbor and stranger. There was a specific concern for the need to protect places of worship and holy sites, whether in a place so central to all three religions as is Jerusalem, or whether minorities seek hospitality and facilities such as have been generously offered by the State of Qatar. A further fundamental right which was emphasized was the right of education and this should include the right for a child to be educated in his or her own religious tradition as well as to learn with truth and sensitivity about other religions and cultures: it could well be a constructive project for DICID to study and develop models for such relevant educational materials. The participants were convinced that human solidarity in the widest sense can only be built through patient dialogue, common action and well planned programs to help all in needed and through scrupulous respect for the rights and duties which our respective religions should inspire us to embrace. The participants committed themselves to seek to overcome the conflicts and injustices which still too often separate us and to work at every level international, regional and local to build human solidarity. Doha 7th Inter-faith Dialogue Continues for Second Day The 7th Doha Conference on Inter-faith Dialogue has continued its works for the second and last day at the Doha Sheraton Hotel Wednesday. Former Sudanese President Abdel-Rahman Mohamed Hassan Suwar al-Dahab chaired the Conference second plenary session titled “Solidarity and Economic Inter-dependence: Religious Financial Systems and the Economic Crisis”. At the outset of the session, the former Sudanese President expressed appreciation to the H.H. the Emir, the government and the people of Qatar for holding the conference and the establishment of the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) aiming at promoting a culture of constructive dialogue between religions to better understand and serve all humanity. Also speaking at the session, Prof. Hatim Al-Qaranshawi, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at Qatar Foundation, tackled the economic crisis, its reasons and impacts. Meanwhile, Quentin T. Woodon, the Adviser and Program Manager of the Development Dialogue on Values and Ethics at the World Bank, highlighted the role of the World Bank in issues related to development and ethics as well as the contributions of the religious beliefs in health, education and other. At the end of the session, the participants discussed the relations between the economy and religion in addition to the religious vision of the economic crisis and the appropriate solutions.
European Council of Religious Leaders
October 22, 2009European Council of Religious Leaders – Religion for Peace executive
committee endorses Code on Holy Sites
The executive committee of the European Council of Religious Leaders met in
Tirana, Albania on 21 October 2009 under the headline “a Culture of Peace”
continuing deliberations started in the council meeting in Lille, France
last May. Among important issues on the agenda was a Code on Holy Sites.
“How we deal with holy sites is a burning issue in Albania. We can
immediately endorse this document,” said Archbishop Anastasios, the head of
the Albanian Orthodox Church. The document offers a vision of a code of
conduct on holy sites, dealing especially with situations when two or more
religions share the same space. It has been developed through a two year
process involving religious leaders from Europe and the Middle East. UNESCO
has already endorsed the docent and The Oslo Center for Peace and Human
Rights has invited ECRL to study and endorse it. The executive committee
voted to receive the document with appreciation and recommend it for study
within the Religions for Peace network.
Read more at: http://www.rfp-europe.eu/index.cfm?id=264080
Charter of Compassion
October 21, 200922 days until the Charter unveiling.
There is an urgent need for a new focus on compassion.
Bringing together voices from all cultures and religions, the Charter seeks to remind the world we already share the core principles of compassion.
On November 12, thousands of people across the globe will listen together.
charterforcompassion.org/
England to have first-ever ‘Inter Faith Week
October 19, 2009‘Inter Faith Week’ will run from 15 to 21 November 2009 with a launch the preceding week. Its aims are:
- to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels
- to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
- to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief
The Week is being facilitated by the Inter Faith Network for the UK www.interfaith.org.uk and Communities and Local Government but will be community-led, with local people and groups of different backgrounds holding their own events and to highlight work going on to promote understanding between people of different faiths and beliefs.
2009 Spirit of the United Nations Award
October 19, 2009Congratulations to Deborah Moldow and Monica Willard who I
will receive the 2009 Spirit of the United Nations Award, presented by the
NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns-NY. (CSVGC-NY).
The award will be given to launch their Week of Spirituality on October
26.
United Religions Initiative
October 19, 2009If you’re having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.
 |
|
|
In doing this, she is opening a pathway to a future where Indigenous children will have reclaimed their heritage and can stand proudly as themselves, accepted and respected, beside their counterparts from diverse religions. Rosalia is defusing the landmines of centuries of oppression and preparing the soil for a new crop of mutual respect and a new community where, for the first time, the voices of Indigenous wisdom are heard, especially in relation to the interconnectedness of all life and caring for the Pachamama – our Mother Earth.
Global Peace Service Alliance
October 19, 2009
|
|||||||||||||||||||
The Nairobi River, once the jewel in the crown of Kenya’s waterways, is today awash in toxic industrial waste and refuse from the burgeoning city of Nairobi. Overcrowding and unstable social networks have contributed to a vicious cycle of poverty, infectious disease, and environmental degradation on the banks of the once-pristine river.
Join us in the Philippines for the Global Peace Convention and stand together with leading voices from around the world, social entrepreneurs, interfaith leaders, and prominent representatives from civil society, the private sector, government, academia, the performing arts and religion.
Global Peace Service Alliance | 1133 19th Street NW | Suite 800 | Washington | DC | 20036
|
