Global Newsletter

In the Network

SYRIA | Religions for Peace (RfP) Calls for Increased Prayers and Multi- religious Action to End Syrian Bloodshed 16 January 2014

In response to the growing humanitarian crisis resulting from the civil war in Syria, RfP the world's largest multi-faith coalition, is calling for increased prayers and an immediate cease-fire to end the suffering of the Syrian people.

In a letter to RfP members around the world, Dr. William Vendley [Secretary General of RfP] said it is imperative "to pray urgently -in accord with your own tradition-for our Brothers and Sisters in Syria. The agony of the Syrian people suffering an unbearable civil war and humanitarian crisis must cease."

It would help if all religious believers re-doubled their prayers for Peace. Dr. Vendley's statement comes as world political leaders plan to convene Geneva 2 peace talks next week, following a major United Nations conference in Kuwait on Wednesday calling for increased humanitarian aid to Syria.

Earlier this week, (13 January) Dr. Vendley joined with 17 senior religious, political and academic leaders at the Vatican to search for an end of the Syrian violence in a conference titled: "Syria: With a Death Toll of 126,000 and 300,000 Orphans of War, Can We Remain Indifferent?" The Vatican statement called for an immediate cease-fire without political preconditions, an end to the arming of both sides by "foreign powers" and for charting "an urgent path to reconciliation and reconstruction."

On Thursday, Dr. Vendley met with leaders of the World Council of Churches as it convened its member churches to address the Syrian crisis. Dr. Vendley noted that many Muslims throughout the world and in Syria are also calling for an immediate resolution to the crisis.

Dr. Vendley also called for multi-religious action for peace. "The international political negotiations for peace must also be accompanied by multi-religious efforts to advance peace. This is why Religions for Peace is working to support Syrian religious leaders in their efforts to build an action oriented Syrian Inter-religious Council."

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK| World Religious Leaders Unite to Counter Rising Tide of Global Violence 12 February 2014

World religious leaders today called for religious believers of the Earth to unite against the increasing misuse of religion by extremists for hostile and violent purposes.

The conference, titled "World Interfaith Harmony: Vital for Peace and Development, was co- sponsored with the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (AOC).

"The harsh fact is that turmoil exists in a number of countries around the world," stated H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, who delivered a keynote speech for the third annual observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week. "Radical notions embodying a distorted perspective of religion often fuel acts of violence. But why? The idea that religion could be used to justify violence is a contradiction in itself."

Dr. William F. Vendley, President of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, which co-sponsored the event said in his speech, "Today, we need to acknowledge that religion- related hostilities, harassment, intimidation and abuse proliferate."

However, Dr. Vendley, Secretary General RfP, the world's largest and most representative multi- religious coalition, called interfaith harmony "perhaps the most powerful antidote to the rising tide of social hostility."

The conference was held in the wake of a new and alarming report issued by the Pew Research Center, which found that the number of countries with religion-related terrorist violence has doubled over the past six years. "We religious believers must, first of all, acknowledge that our traditions are all too often being abused by extremists," said Dr. Vendley. "Then, standing together across all religious differences, we must reject this abuse."

However, world religion leaders and experts said there is hope on the horizon.

Dr. Brian Grim, author of the Pew report and President of the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation in Washington, D.C., said that his studies show that where respect for religious freedom and diversity flourish, so do economies and societies. "The new promising players on the field are businesses, because it is in their interest -where religious freedom grows, so does business."

Religious leaders cited cases to show that building positive interfaith dialogue has helped build trust and resolve conflicts around the world, including Sierra Leone, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Regarding the humanitarian crisis in Syria, Dr. Vendley said that "cooperation among Syria's religious communities will be utterly essential for both the cessation of violence and the long, hard road of reconciliation."

The conference featured musical performances, and representatives of the other major world faiths, including, Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Jewish, Muslim and Zoroastrian, offered sacred prayers from their own traditions. Expert panels discussed "Transforming Conflict and Building Peace through Interfaith and Inter-cultural Harmony," and "Social Cohesion: Key to Promoting Sustainable Development."

The United Nations proclaimed World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010 to enhance mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue as a means to promote harmony among all people, regardless of their faith. This marked the third annual observance, which is held in February.

Dr. Vendley said that every attack in the name of religion around the world is amplified in the media, sending out a "polarizing wave, fueling the rise in hostility." "How can we bring light to this sinkhole of darkness?” he asked. "The answer is welcoming the other into interfaith harmony."

Officers of the Committee of Religious NGOS at the UN include Vice Presidents, Dr. C.J. Willie, Sisters of Charity Federation and Mr. Carl Murrell, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States; Treasurer, Rev. Doyeon Park, Won Buddhist International; Secretary, Ms. Elizabeth Begley, Pax Christi; At Large members: Rev. Farida Ali, All Pakistan Women's Association [Honorary President of RfP]; Rev. Doug Hostetter, Mennonite Central Committee; Dr. Jafar Jawad, Al-Hakim Foundation; Ms. Gloria Landy, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Swami Parameshananda, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, ex-Officio, Ms. Monica Ward, United Religions Initiative and Rev. Dionne P. Boissière, Chaplain of the Church Center for the UN.

New York, New York | Religious Freedom Day Observance at the US Mission to the United Nations 16 January 2014

Religious Freedom Day was celebrated at the United States Mission to the United Nations.

Co-sponsoring the event was the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, which Dr. William Vendley [Secretary General of RfP] serves as its current President.

The celebration was shaped as a panel discussion on The Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion: Religions Respond.

The panel moderator was The Very Reverend Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs and Interchurch Relations, Orthodox Church in America; [Moderator Emeritus of RfP and Honorary President of RfP] Past President of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and Moderator Emeritus of Christian Churches Together in the USA.

The program and panelists were introduced on behalf of the United States Mission by Teri L. Robl, Minister/ Counsellor and the Deputy Representative of the Economic and Social Council of the Mission, who offered a brief substantive reflection on religious freedom.

On behalf of the Religion and Public Life Project of the Pew Research Center, Dr. Brian Grim gave an overview of the data on the daunting challenges in the protection of religious freedom around the world. This succinct and revealing report showed that politics and political culture, as well as religions themselves, are actors in expressing hostility to religious communities.

The panel members participating in the discussion were: The Reverend Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, Interfaith Center of New York; Imam Khalid Latiaf, Executive Director, Islamic Center at New York University; Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President, New York Board of Rabbis; and The Reverend Dr. Elias D. Mallon, Catholic Near East Welfare Association. The panelists brought to bear in the discussion the experiences of their faith communities with regard to tolerance and respect, at times witnessing to suffering, at times witnessing to the responsibility religious communities have for opposing and preventing hostility and discrimination in their societies, at times witnessing to the grievous reality that faith communities are sometimes contributing to hostility and discrimination.

Dr. William Vendley initially scheduled to moderate the January 16 panel, was absent due to his participation in meetings on the Syria crisis convened in by the Vatican and in Geneva by the World Council of Churches.

Some 170 persons were registered for the Religious Freedom Day Observance at the United States Mission to the United Nations, filling the auditorium to capacity. The program was organized and coordinated by Ms. Peggy Kerry, NGO Liaison at the United States Mission.

To mark Religious Freedom Day 2014, H.E. Barack Obama, President of the United States, issued a Proclamation; H.E. John Kerry, Secretary of State, and Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, issued statements.

TOKYO, JAPAN | RfP Nuclear Disarmament Guide for Religious Leaders and Communities Launched in Japan 13 December 2013

Religious leaders, disarmament experts and civil society advocates met in Tokyo to participate in the launch of the Japanese version of a Nuclear Disarmament Guide for Religious Leaders and Communities which has been produced by RfP.

Venerable Gijun Sugitani [Chair of RfP Japan and Chair of the RfP International Standing Commission on Disarmament and Security] opened the launch. Nuclear weapons are threats to all life forms; it is not an exaggeration to say that nuclear weapons threaten national security, rather than protect it,' stated Rev. Sugitani. He asserted that in order to address the problems confronting humanity today, including the threat from nuclear weapons, 'we need to consider human centered security that transcends national borders. This is none other than the concept of shared security which involves collective actions to protect all life forms and is what religious leaders should aspire to.'

Rev. Kyoichi Sugino [Deputy Secretary General of RfP International] noted the long-standing engagement of RfP in nuclear disarmament, and explained the need for the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Guide to assist religious communities in discussing and supporting nuclear disarmament initiatives. Rev Sugino noted that the English version of the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Guide had recently been launched to the international diplomatic community at the United Nations and to the global inter-faith community at the Religions for Peace Assembly in Vienna. The Japanese edition is the first translated version to be produced. Editions in other languages such as Arabic, French and Spanish are planned.

Alyn Ware, principal author of the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Guide, began by honourring the Hibakusha - the survivors of nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - who had been tirelessly advancing the call for nuclear abolition for 68 years. Mr Ware emphasised the importance of religious communities becoming even more active in this issue - especially on an inter-faith basis - as religious communities have the capacity to reach beyond national borders in order to advance the cooperative security approaches required to abolish nuclear weapons. Mr Ware also highlighted the importance of religious youth and women to be involved, and noted the special sections on youth and women in the Resource Guide.

Rev. Masamichi Kamiya, Principal Translator of the Resource Guide, highlighted the new opportunities for nuclear disarmament and noted some of the inspirational statements and examples of action in the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Guide. He reported on having learned a lot by translating the resource, and encouraged everyone else to read it and also be inspired.

Several religious leaders (Buddhist, Christian and Muslim) made contributions to the ensuing discussion - as did Nobuyashu Abe (former United Nations Under-Secretary-General), Shinkun Haku (Member of the Japan Parliament House of Councillors), Hiromichi Umebayashi (Professor from the Nagasaki University Research Centre for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons) and Akira Kawasaki (Peace Boat).

For more information on obtaining or using the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Guide, please contact [email protected]

GLOBAL | Religions for Peace (RfP) 9th World Assembly adopted its Declaration and elected a New World Council, which-in turn-elected its Executive Committee and chose its Moderators 20-22 November 2013

The 9th World Assembly of RfP concluded with more than 600 religious leaders and people of faith, representing all historic faith traditions and every region of the world, calling attention to an urgent new threat to peace — rising hostility toward the “other.” The Declaration states, in part:

“Rising hostility, in society and within and among religious communities, takes the form of intolerance, and too often violence. . . . Victims of hostility are often vulnerable populations, including members of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities; migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced and stateless persons . . . A growing number of governments are placing restrictions on religious beliefs and practices. . . Sectarian and communal violence is dividing societies, fueling conflict, and destroying innocent lives.”

(Click here for the 9th World Assembly Declaration and other Assembly resource)

RfP New World Council

One of the central duties of the Assembly was to elect the Co-Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary General who collectively populate the World Council. The Assembly also received the nominations of the International Youth Coordinating and the International Women's Coordinating Committees for their representation on the World Council. You will be pleased to know that this Assembly has elected a truly remarkable group of persons to serve as its World Council. (Click here for the list of World Council members.)

RfP New World Council elects its Executive Committee and Co-Moderators

Immediately after the conclusion of the Assembly, the newly elected World Council convened in Vienna to elect its Executive Committee. This was an important election due to the fact that the International Standing Rules assign significant duties to the Executive Committee on behalf of the World Council.

Importantly, the Coordinators of the International Youth Committee and the International Women's Coordinating Committees are ex officio members of the International Executive Committee. In addition, the World Council-following a similar decision of the previous World Council-formally seconded into the Executive Committee the Moderators of the RfP Regional Councils. (Click here for the new list of the International Executive Committee.)

In addition to electing its Executive Committee, the World Council also elected its Moderators. Impressively, the World Council chose to elect four Co-Moderators.

They are:

1) Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah (Muslim, male) 2) H.E. John Cardinal Onaiyekan (Christian, male) 3) Rev. Kosho Niwano (Buddhist, female) 4) Dr. Vinu Aram (Hindu, female)

This means that two men and two women from four world religions will together provide the leadership of moderation within the World Council. Typically, the Moderators call upon other members of the World Council or its Executive Committee members to share the work of moderation during the meetings of these bodies.

The adoption of the Declaration and the election of the World Council were major achievements of the Assembly. The World Council's election of the Executive Committee and its Moderators has equipped RfP to move into action after the important Assembly.

SPECIAL FEATURE Mrs. Christina Lee Brown [International Trustee of RfP] Mrs. Christina Lee Brown [International Trustee of RfP], a Roman Catholic, has practiced an earth-honoring faith for many years, inspired by eco-theologians such as Thomas Berry, who said that “we cannot exist long-term unless we re-join the community of life from which we emerged, that has shaped us in every regard and is the revelation of ultimate and sacred reality.” Earth Honoring Faith is the title of Larry Rasmussen’s latest book, and Christy could serve as its Christian model. Anyone who heard the speech that she delivered in November at the World Assembly of Religions for Peace in Vienna can attest to this. Photo Courtesy of Mr. Terence Ward, International Trustee, RfP

As a person of faith, she lamented in the words of her good friend, Wendell Berry, that we are “all now absolutely complicit in the murder of creation;” yet, with characteristic optimism, she looked to the faith leaders whom she addressed to bring about positive change through their teachings in the Mosques, Cathedrals, Temples and Synagogues of the world.

Because she has the extraordinary energy and commitment to take on monumental tasks, Christy has assumed personal responsibility for raising the consciousness of the Industrialized world to the urgency of climate change, brought about by its unsustainable dependence upon fossil fuels. Her message proceeds from the awareness that we are part of an interconnected web of life, including all life that was, is now, or is to be. Famously proposed by Darwin in On the Origin of Species (1859), the notion of a common ancestor for all of life has been confirmed in the twentieth century through vast scientific research that is ongoing.

The discovery that all of life has but one world to share is unquestionably the greatest discovery of the twentieth century and possibly of all time. While the discovery may be credited to an array of scientists, including biologists, geneticists, physicists, chemists, geologists, anthropologists, psychologists, astronomers and many others, theologians have also played an important role. They have created the field of eco-theology, an interfaith field which focuses upon the sacred relationship between religion and nature. In her exercise of an earth-honoring faith, Christy is appreciative of what both the scientists and the theologians are saying about life, and because of this, she can say with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that “a crime against nature is a crime against ourselves and sin against God.”

Christy Brown will tell us that the great discovery of the past century has brought about the great challenge of the current century, and she looks to the diverse religious leaders of today to meet the challenge by serving as “Mother Earth’s Moral Agents of Change.” Change begins with a re- imagining of ourselves as an integral part of nature, in harmonious relationship with every other species. What we do to the earth, we do to ourselves. From re-imagining ourselves, we have to re- define justice as well. No longer is justice limited to the protection of human rights but extends now to protecting creation rights as well. The bio-systems of our planet must not be allowed to shut down, rendering them unable to perform their functions. The results of such neglect include desertification, destroyed rain forests, acidified oceans, polar-cap melting, soil erosion, wildfires, wind storms, flooding, droughts, air pollution, extinct species, and much more.

The twenty-first century has called for a new source of leadership that can only be assumed by the diverse religious authorities of our day. They are aware of the moral dimension of the current eco- crisis and are respectful of the mandates of their respective faith traditions to exercise good stewardship over the Earth. Collectively, they shepherd over six billion people and can lead them to realize, for the first time in human history, the promise of attempting to grasp the oneness of all life. Together, we have the opportunity to learn through experience that oneness does not mean sameness. Far from it! Our promise is to be able to draw upon a rich template of diversity in our vast, harmonious, sacred, mysterious universe. Christy Brown, in her practice of earth-honoring faith, gives prophetic witness to this new promise. We would do well to listen to her, especially through the toolkit that she provided, entitled You Hold the Whole World in Your Hands. The toolkit, distributed at the recent World Assembly, is now accessible on RfP’s website.

Conflicts in CAR, Others: African Anglican Primates Express Worry 13 February 2014

The Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA) has said it was deeply worried by the raging conflicts in the Central African Republic and other troubled countries in Africa.

Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, the CAPA’s Chairman, who is also Anglican Archbishop of Burundi, [Co-President of RfP] spoke when he led other African Primates on a courtesy visit to Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.

Reports state that the Primates from 12 Anglican provinces in Africa are in the state for an international conference of the church.

The conference is slated to begin on Tuesday and end today.

Ntahoturi said that the wanton killings arising from the various crises on the continent were not acceptable. He said that it was time for all Africans to rise up and put an end to the bloodshed. Ntahoturi said the Church stood for peace and the preservation of human dignity and would continue to promote peaceful co-existence.

HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan to be awarded Four Freedoms Medal for Freedom of Worship 13 February 2013

The 2014 Four Freedoms Medal for Freedom of Worship will be awarded to HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan [Moderator Emreritus of RfP] on 24 May 2014 in Middelburg, Netherlands. The award was announced today by Mr Han Polman - the Chairman of the Roosevelt Foundation, and King’s Commissioner in the Province of Zeeland.

Throughout his life, HRH has been dedicated to the improvement of mutual understanding between the Islamic and Western worlds, and enhancing dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews. He has initiated, founded and is actively involved in a number of Jordanian and international institutes and committees which promote interreligious dialogue and human dignity.

HRH co-chaired the Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues and is currently Chairman of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies, the Foundation for Inter-religious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue, and Chair Emeritus of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. In 2013 he was appointed to be Chairman of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB).

Previous distinguished recipients of the Freedom of Worship Medal include: Desmond Tutu, Teddy Kollek, Nasr H. Abu Zayd, Terry Waite, His All Holiness Archbishop Batholomew I, former The Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. the Lord Runcie, and Karen Armstrong.

The Four Freedoms Medals are presented each year to men and women whose achievements have demonstrated a commitment to the principles which President Roosevelt proclaimed in his historic speech to Congress on 6 january 1941. In this speech he said that if democracy is to survive and flourish, people everywhere in the world are entitled to four human rights: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Important words that have not lost any of their value and meaning even after more than 70 years. Read more.

Turkish Religious Affairs Minister to Publish Islamophobia Report 4 February 2014

Turkey’s Head of Religious Affairs, Mehmet Gormez, [a Co-President of RfP] said ‘‘Instead of asking why these people commit such dreadful acts, we are trying to call the world to think about what we can do to tackle this problem.’’

Turkey’s Head of Religious Affairs, Mehmet Gormez, has announced that he is preparing to publish a report into the Freedom of Religion in reaction to increasing cases of Islamophobia in Europe.

Saying that he wanted to share documented cases of breaches against this fundamental human right with the rest of the world, Gormez claimed that employees of the Turkey’s governmental department of religious affairs who work in Europe witness incidents of Islamophobia every day.

‘‘Up until today we have only been filing these reports into a dossier,’’ Gormez said.

‘‘We have been thinking of what we can do to stop these incidents from happening, so we have decided to share this dossier with the world,’’ he added. Read more.

Fordham University Confers and Honorary Doctorate Degree to Archbishop Anastasios of Albania 3 February

Fordham University conferred yesterday, January 28, 2014, an honorary doctorate degree of Humane Letters, the highest honor of the University, to His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, [an Honorary President of RfP] in an official ceremony at Fordham’s University Church. Following the conferral, His Beatitude delivered the “Orthodoxy in America Lecture” on the topic Sharing the Good News in a Multi-Religious Country: Theological Reflections on Other Religions.

“Your name suggests, speaks and points to the Resurrection as does your ministry,” said Fr. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., the president of Fordham in his welcoming remarks. Fr. McShane welcomed Archbishop Anastasios to the Fordham family saying that the University considers itself blessed to be a home for Orthodoxy and have the only Orthodox Studies program in the United States.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America offered the invocation, preceded by short introductory remarks in which he acknowledged “the distinct honor for him to welcome as a member of Fordham, his brother hierarch Archbishop Anastasios.”

Dr. Stephen Freedman, the University’s Provost, read the citation recognizings Archbishop Anastasios “as an inspirational leader who is always willing to go where God calls him, as a great contemporary hierarch of the Orthodox Church, an outstanding scholar and a visionary theologian, and his strong support for coexistence with people of all faiths,” noting especially the triumph of resurrecting the Orthodox Church of Albania.

Archbishop Anastasios, filled with sentiments of gratitude, thanked the University for honoring him and delivered his address recounting his didactic experiences in Albania since 1991 when he was first appointed Patriarchal Exarch. He explained the approach he employed in reviving the Orthodox Church there and in sharing the Good News of the Gospel. In the second part of his address, His Beatitude analyzed what he said were three basic notions and concepts in Orthodox Christian Theology: Logos (Word), Agape (Love) and Fos (Light). Read more.

Archbishops Insist School Classes Are 'Essential' 3 February 2014

The Primates of Ireland's two main churches have hit back at Education Minister Ruairi Quinn's call for the time allocated by schools to the teaching of religion to be cut back.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin [Member of the European Council of Religious Leaders-RfP] told the Irish Independent that religious education and religious-run schools are "an essential and fundamental part of our educational system" and good religious education must remain a "fundamental part of the DNA of a pluralist system."

The Archbishop, who is patron of 470 primary schools and 185 secondary schools, also hit back at the minister's criticism of the slowness of the process of divesting patronage from Catholic patrons to alternative patrons.

Instead, Dr. Martin laid the blame for tardiness at the door of politicians.

"We have been working very hard on this," he said. "The opposition and challenges very often come from local politicians who throw spanners in works that are nearly there."

He said he had told Mr Quinn this, and added: "Don't blame the church or church schools for the slowness." Dr Martin said: "In times of local elections, local issues can be taken up" by politicians but that the focus should remain on "where we want to go."

Separately, the Church of Ireland Primate and Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson [Member of the European Council of Religious Leaders-RfP] told the Irish Independent: "I think it is important that the teaching of religion stays."

He was speaking after the Rubicon Social Justice conference in Dublin, which was addressed by speakers from a range of Christian perspectives. Read More.

Nigeria: Onaiyekan Says Nigeria Will Overcome Boko Haram Insurgents 2 February

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan [Vice Moderator of RfP] on Sunday expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome the challenges of Boko Haram insurgents.

Onaiyekan expressed the optimism at a mass to conclude the 2014 Prayer Project of Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria, at Papal Ground, Kubwa, Abuja.

He said there was nothing like Boko Haram 10 years ago and it would soon become history by the grace of God.

"Let us continue to pray that God will deliver us from this 'terrible infection' of Boko Haram. "We do not know how God will do it, but as Christians, we need deep faith and believe that God will do it," he said.

The cleric urged Christians to continue to pray for the peace and unity of the country. "Let us not be distracted with the bad comments around us, let us continue to contribute to the nation's building through our prayers.

"We must also do our best to be faithful to our mission, we must witness to Jesus Christ in our daily lives," he said. Read more.

First Lady Congratulates H.E. Onaiyekan on His 70th Birthday 28 January

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Tuesday described the life of His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan [Vice Moderator of RfP] as a glowing testimony of wisdom.

Jonathan made the remark in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Information in the Presidency, Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, congratulating Onaiyekan ahead of his 70th birthday.

Onaiyekan was born on Jan. 29, 1944 and will be 70 years on Wednesday. ``A life of humility, effective leadership and outstanding service in the vineyard of the Lord and his many accomplishments will forever be written in marble,’’ the first lady said of the priest.

She urged all Nigerians to embrace the virtues of service and humility that the Almighty confers on those who serve Him.

Jonathan prayed that the Lord would continue to increase the Cardinal's divine blessings as his years increase. Read more.

A Conversation with URJ President Rick Jacobs [Co-President RfP] 27 January 2014

Jewish Journal: What are your priorities for the Reform Movement? Rick Jacobs: It's a critical moment for us. Pew [Research Center survey "A Portrait of Jewish Americans"] said that we are the largest movement. If you combine the Conservative and the Orthodox, you still don't come up with the numbers of the Reform Movement. The question is what we do with that. We have to broaden our tent. We have made ourselves a very narrow ritual place. We have to be broader, open to tradition.

JJ: You talked about the concept of "audacious hospitality." What do you mean by that term? RJ: The kind of hospitality that Abraham and Sarah practiced. They ran after people. They didn't wait for you to come. Abraham was already out in the dessert bringing people in. The idea of bringing people in who are on the outside. In South Florida, the number is astonishing. It's 85 percent unaffiliated.I want us to think why in every community in North America there are people outside of synagogues. And to really unpack why we're waiting for them to come break down our doors. The Pew study tells us that the great majority are not looking for Orthodox Judaism. The movement is from Orthodoxy to Conservative to Reform. The question is will they stay in Reform. That's up to us.

JJ: What is the URJ doing to help its synagogues? RJ:We're focusing on a number of really key moments and opportunities. We've committed a very serious amount of our financial resources to engaging the next generation. Not just to bring them in for a few minutes or years but to engage them in what we hope will be a lifelong journey of Jewish learning, Jewish practice and Jewish communal responsibility.

JJ: What should be the new model for the synagogue today? RJ: I think the old model [was if] people are interested, they are going to show up. If they are going to join, be part of the community, there's got to be something there that is really worthwhile for them. You can't make people discover it and fight their way in. They have to, I think, be brought in with an openheartedness and there's got to be a there, there. The learning has to be more than skimming the surface. Worship has to touch the soul. And community has to be genuine. And the place has to stand for something. Read more.

Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) Prayer Week Draws to an End 26 January 2014

The prayer week organized by the Joint Christian Council (UJCC) that started last Sunday at the Orthodox Church, Namungoona ends on Sunday 26.

The annual occasion, started at Rubaga Cathedral in 2008, is intended to bring all Christians together and rotates in the churches and in parishes of all churches.

UJCC Secretary Fr. Sylvester Arinaitwe said this occasion is celebrated throughout the world annually and this year’s occasion has been held in Uganda under the theme: “Has Christ been divided?”

“The prayer week in Uganda was jointly adopted by the pontifical council for promoting Christian unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches,” he said.

The prayers started off last week with Kampala Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito-Lwanga [Co-Chair, Council of Presidents of the IRCU-RfP] as the main preacher at Namungoona.

The week of prayers is scheduled to be wrapped up at the Sacred Heart of Mary Cathedral, Lubaga where Church of Uganda’s Archbishop Stanley Ntagali will be the main preacher. Accordingly, Archbishop Lwanga told Christians to learn to forgive one another and stop being jealous to one another.

He mentioned that to eliminate poverty from their homes, people ought to work hard and stay away from witchcraft, as practicing rituals would not save them from being impoverished. At St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, Archbishop Jonah Lwanga of the Orthodox church, who was the main preacher on Thursday said: “Uganda as nation is faced with numerous problems including economic and social, which need prayers so that God helps mankind to know the right path.” Read more.

Mahatma Gandhi's Granddaughter Honoured in 26 January 2014

Ela Gandhi, A Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, [a Co-President of RfP], has been honoured with an award for her lifetime contribution to the freedom struggle in South Africa.

Gandhi was one of three Indian-origin South Africans lauded among many veterans of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), which was the armed struggle wing of the African National Congress.

The others were Sunny Singh and Mac Maharaj. Former Umkhonto we Sizwe members were incorporated into the South African defence force after the advent of democracy in 1994 following the release of Nelson Mandela to become the first democratically- elected president.

The awards, titled Amadelakufa, meaning "sacrifice" in Zulu, were hosted by the military.

Gandhi made it clear that she had never been a member of the armed wing, but was nonetheless honoured by the award.

She runs a range of community projects, among them at the Phoenix settlement where Mahatma Gandhi ran his successful anti-discrimination activities during his tenure in Durban at the turn of the last century. Read more.

Nigeria: Polio - UNICEF Engages Islamic Clerics on Vaccine Rejection 25 January

To accept polio vaccine, Islamic clerics have been engaged in eight local government areas of Sokoto State to sensitize people of the localities. The Local Government Areas are Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Illela, Kware, Gwadabawa, Dange/Shuni, Tambuwal and Rabah. Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III [a Co-President of RfP] disclosed this at a stakeholders' meeting on polio eradication held in Wamakko Local Government Area of the state. The Sultan who was represented by the District Head of Yabo, Alhaji Muhammadu Maiturare, said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) engaged the Islamic clerics to carry out the task.

He explained that the clerics are to sensitize the people on the need to allow their children ages 0-5 years, to be immunized against the polio. He stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure success in the fight against polio in Nigeria. Read more.

Ethical Financial Decisions Crucial for Climate Justice, says WCC 24 January 2014

World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary the Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit [a Co- President of RfP] stressed the “significant role of financial policymaking by the states in addressing climate change, ” following a session on climate change at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Dr. Tveit endorsed points made by the former head of the British government’s economic service, Nicholas Stern, in his presentation in Davos.

The world churches chief stressed that the “support of influential actors in the business sector is crucial for the work of the churches for climate justice.”

Lord Stern also noted that joint efforts from governments, business and finance institutions, and civil society movements are the only way forward in addressing climate change. He emphasised the importance of rebuilding confidence in democratic institutions and the importance of decisions made with a long-term perspective.

Support from churches and religious communities is significant in demanding ethical and responsible financial decisions, Lord Stern added.

In his conversation with the WCC General Secretary following his presentation, Lord Stern also expressed interest in the WCC initiatives mobilising civil society to address climate issues, as well as the work of the WCC’s member churches for climate justice. Read More.

Inter-Faith Dialogue Focuses on Building Peace 20 January 2014

The religious roots of social harmony were the focus of an inter-faith dialogue held in Yangon on January 19. The dialogue, which brought together prominent members of the Buddhist, Islamic and Christian communities, was one of the first of its kind to be held in .

The event, at the Parkroyal Hotel, was organized by Religions for Peace, in cooperation with the Institute of the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University in the United States.

Among those who took part in the dialogue were the Sitagu Sayadaw, the Venerable Dr Ashin Nyanissara [an Honorary President of RfP], Haji U Aye Lwin, [Founding Member RfP /Inter- religious Council, Myanmar], from the Islamic Center of Myanmar and Professor Dr Saw Hlaing Bwa, from the Myanmar Institute of Theology, Judson Research Centre.

The British Ambassador, Mr. Andrew Patrick, and the Deputy Head of Mission at the US Embassy, Ms. Virginia Murray, were also among those who participated in the event. Haji U Aye Lwin said the main topics of discussion included building peace among members of different faiths, strategies for avoiding conflict and creating understand by educating citizens about different religions.

Referring to the establishment of ‘Dhamma schools’ to raise awareness about maintaining peace among those of different faiths, Haji U Aye Lwin said the Islamic community wanted permission to establish similar teaching groups.

Religions for Peace was established on September 12, 2012, to work for the peaceful co- existence of members of different faiths in Myanmar. AJC Dismayed by Destruction of Christian Library in 8 January 2014

AJC is dismayed by the destruction of more than 50,000 books in an arson attack on a major Christian library in Tripoli, Lebanon.

A Muslim mob targeted the Al-Saeh Llibrary, owned by Greek Orthodox priest Ibrahim Surouj, after a pamphlet insulting the Prophet Mohammed was allegedly found in one of the library books.

"The Jewish people know all too well the ominous implications of burning books," said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC International Director of Interreligious Affairs, [Co-President of RfP]. "As the 19th century German poet Heinrich Heine poignantly observed, 'Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.'"

AJC called on the Lebanese authorities to do their utmost to protect the well-being of all its religious communities.

The fire burned two-thirds of the library's collection of 80,000 books and manuscripts built up over decades by Father Sorouj.

"Violence in the Arab world, inspired by radical, unforgiving ideology, has too often targeted with impunity the cultural, historical and religious sites of minority faith communities," said Rosen. "The arson attack on Father Sarouj's library is terrorism, driven by obscurantism and bigotry."

HEADS UP | FORTHCOMING EVENTS RELATED TO THE RfP GLOBAL NETWORK

27 February – Policy Consultation on Code on Holy Sites for Religious Leaders. USA

19-21 March-Regional Review Conference for the Americas of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development. Guatemala.

24-25 March- Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue Implementation Meeting for Istanbul Process 16/18. Ukraine

25-27 March- Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue 11th Interfaith Conference on the "Role of Youth in Enhancing the Value of Dialogue.”

—ECRL Consultation on Welcoming the Other: Equal Citizenship in Europe. Belgium

1-3 April- World Economic Forum on Latin America. Panama

2 April- International Symposium on Forgiveness. Convenor, Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation Project; International Trustee, RfP. United Kingdom

2-3 April- Kiev Interfaith Forum. Ukraine.

5-9 May-Thirty-fifth Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Peru

13-15 May-Annual European Council of Religious Leaders-RfP Council meeting, including Roundtable on “Societies in transition and the role of interfaith dialogue. Switzerland

21-23 May –IRC Liberia-RfP National Interfaith Youth Convention. Liberia

2-5 June- Forty-fourth Third Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States. Paraguay

25-28 August – Asian Conference of Religions for Peace General Assembly. Korea

KEEP US POSTED | YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

Send us your news and work, and we’ll include it in the next e-Bulletin!

Questions, comments, or news? Kindly contact:

Religions for Peace–International 777 United Nations Plaza, 9th Floor New York NY 10017 +1 212.687.2163 [email protected]

RELIGIONS FOR PEACE--the world's largest and most representative multi-religious coalition- advances common action among the world's religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than ninety national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network.

777 United Nations Plaza I New York, NY 10017 USA I Tel: 212 687-2163 I Fax: 212 983-0098 www.rfp.org

STAY CONNECTED