Statement of the Secretary General on the Arson Attack of the Rida Mosque and the Killing of Imam Abdallah Dadou
The arson attack on the Rida mosque in Brussels on Monday 12 March 2012 has killed Imam Abdallah Dadou. The Imam was also a husband and the father of four children. For all of the members of Religions for Peace, the attack on this mosque which resulted in his death was despicable. Religions for Peace rejects this arson attack as an illegal, violent, ugly and morally offensive act. We call upon the relevant authorities to advance justice in accordance with the law.
Statement of the Moderator and the Secretary General on the Church Bombings in Nigeria
Religions for Peace condemns and deplores the terrorist attacks across Nigeria which killed scores of people, with the majority dying on the steps of a Catholic Church after celebrating Christmas Mass.
Summary: The Marrakesh Declaration and Commitments to Action
We—religious leaders from across the Middle East–North Africa (MENA) region—have gathered together in Marrakesh, Morocco, 15-16 November 2011, as partners in advancing the common good in our region. We gather during a time of momentous change. We urge all to eschew violence. In particular, we are concerned that misunderstanding among our communities can all too easily be exploited to provoke intolerance or hostility in the name of religion. We deplore and condemn this misuse of our religions. Our religions are for peace.
Statement of the Moderator and Secretary General On the Bombings in Oslo, Norway
Religions for Peace condemns the morally reprehensible bombing in Oslo, Norway. This callous, cowardly and depraved act was designed to kill, injure and terrorize indiscriminately.
Restoring Dignity: A commitment to End Violence Against Women
Violence against women is wrong.
Religions recognize the fundamental dignity of every woman and man. We know—each according to her or his respective religious tradition—that the true dignity of every woman is given by and rooted in the Sacred. This dignity is inviolable. It is not given by cultures, states, societies, communities or individuals. It cannot be taken away by them. But the recognition of this dignity must be “restored” whenever it is violated. It must be actively respected, honored and protected.
Moscow Declaration - Advancing Human Dignity – through human rights and traditional values
We, the European Council of Religious Leaders, meeting in Moscow in June 2011, express our warm
thanks and appreciation to the Russian Orthodox Church and to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of
Moscow and All Russia, for their generous welcome and hospitality.
This declaration made at our first meeting in Russia, is in continuity with previous declarations of the
European Council of Religious Leaders. It continues our work to further interreligious dialogue and a
culture of peace and tolerance in the confident hope that this will deepen and extend the contribution
of the religious communities of Europe to the spiritual and material wellbeing of the people of Europe
and the world in these times of change and challenge.
Statement from the Religious Leaders in Africa on the War in Libya
Religions for Peace (RfP)—through the lead of its regional body, the African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL-RfP)—is taking steps to find a way to mediate the current violent conflict in Libya.
H.E. Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, the Grand Mufti of Uganda and Co-Moderator of ACRL-RfP, and Dr. Mustafa Ali, the Secretary General of ACRL-RfP recently traveled to Libya for meetings with Libyan stakeholders to discuss a peaceful means to end the current violent impasse, protect citizens and uphold accountability under the rule of law. They also had a helpful meeting with RfP colleague and Co-President H.E. Dr. Mohammad Al-Sharif, the Secretary General of the World Islamic Call Society.
You will find the statement of ACRL-RfP by following this link: http://religionsforpeace.org/assets/statement-from-the-religious.pdf
Religions for Peace is planning to undertake an additional mission to Libya to continue the dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
Let us continue to support the people in Libya.
Yours in solidarity,
Dr. William F. Vendley
Statement of the Secretary General The Violence in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Must Stop
Religions for Peace urgently calls for all combatants in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire to desist from the violent fighting that is placing evermore civilians in extremely grave danger. Killing civilians is wrong. A non-violent, negotiated solution must be found to the current impasse.
The Religions for Peace affiliated African Council of Religious Leaders sent a multi-religious delegation in February to meet with the two leaders to seek a peaceful resolution. The delegation included Archbishop John Onaiyaken and a representative of the Nigerian Sultan of Sokoto, Sheikh Rahman Ahmad Abdur. Religions for Peace continues to offer itself to assist in the peaceful resolution of this crisis.
Statement of the Secretary General On the Florida Qur’an Burning and Ensuing Violence in Afghanistan
A Florida pastor recently burned the Qur’an at the Dove World Outreach Center. This reprehensible act has inflamed tensions, set back the progress of years of interreligious cooperation, and, most regrettably, led others in Afghanistan to take innocent lives in retaliation. Both the disrespectful act of desecration and the deplorable violent responses are wrong.
Statement of the Secretary General on The Killing of Five Jewish Settlers
Religions for Peace unequivocally rejects the despicable killing of five Jewish settlers—including a mother and father and their 4 month old infant and their 4 and 11 year old children—in Itamar (southeast of the West Bank city of Nablus) on Friday 11 March.
