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07622 October 1, 2007
Religious panel dialogues with Iran's Ahmadinejad
PC(USA) participants cite 'commitment to Iran church partner'
by Jerry L. Van Marter Presbyterian News Service
NEW YORK - Three Presbyterians were among a delegation of more than 100 religious leaders who met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sept. 26 during his visit to the U.S.
The two-hour dialogue, held at the Church Center for the United Nations here, was the second in a series of conversations focused on establishing a dialogue between people of faith in the United States and the people and government of Iran.
The dialogue was organized by the Mennonite Central Committee and endorsed by American Friends Service Committee, Church of the Brethren General Board, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Church Canada; Mennonite Church USA, Pax Christi, Sojourners/Call to Renewal, the World Council of Churches' Commission of the Church on International Affairs and the World Conference of Religions for Peace.
The Rev. Victor Makari, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s coordinator for the Middle East and Asia Minor and Jinishian Memorial Program, said the denomination's primary purpose for participating in the dialogue is the PC(USA)' ongoing commitment to our church partner in Iran.
"The PC(USA) has a 180-year mission history in Iran," Makari explained. "We stand in solidarity with Christian brothers and sisters there. As recently as this week, they strongly encouraged us to keep open relationships with both religious and state leaders of Iran out of concern for the effects of isolation on Christian communities in Iran."
Makari said the Evangelical Church of Iran stresses the importance of loving neighbors and building bridges of peace and reconciliation in their own society and in the world. Like the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Church of Iran is a member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and part of the global family of Presbyterian churches.
After beginning the gathering with readings from the Bible (Romans 12:1-2, 9-18) and the Quran (Al-Baqarah 285, Al-Imran 64 and Yunus 31) and opening statements, a panel of five U.S. participants pressed Ahmadinejad on several of his more inflammatory positions, such as his denial of the Holocaust.
"There is no question in our minds that the Holocaust is a historical fact - one of the greatest tragedies of human history," Ronald Flaming, international program director of the Mennonite Central Committee, reportedly told the Iranian leader. "We are engaged in this dialogue not because we agree but precisely because there are fundamental disagreements to be addressed."
Panelists also questioned Ahmadinejad on the rights of the Christian community in Iran; the possibility of direct negotiations between the Iranian and U.S. governments; a call to make peace with Israel; nuclear enrichment and proliferation in Iran; the work of Iran's government in eradicating poverty; and the question of human rights abuses in Iran.
The tense relationship between the U.S. and Iranian governments should not preclude dialogue, insisted Joel Hanisek, a dialogue participant who is the PC(USA)'s United Nations representative here.
Hanisek pointed to the statement in the Confession of 1967 that "the church, in its own life, is called to practice the forgiveness of enemies and to commend to the nations as practical politics the search for cooperation and peace."
He said, "This was an opportunity to live out the biblical and confessional mandate to be 'ambassadors for Christ' engaged in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20)."
Ahmadinejad summarized the eschatological view of Shi`a Islam that anticipates the return of the Mehdi, accompanied by Jesus, who together will usher in a reign of righteousness, justice and peace. He cited the succession of the prophets of Judaism, Jesus, the apostles and saints, and finally Muhammad as a caravan heralding a consistent message of God's grace and mercy, and a call to all people to worship and serve God in all realms of human life.
The Iranian leader also asserted that it is the vocation of all people of faith to work for justice, peace and compassionate service to humankind, and to prepare for the coming of the messianic age.
The conversation was marked by Ahmadinejad's commitment to facilitate travel visas for future people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Following the meeting, Catherine Gordon, associate for international issues in the PC(USA) Washington Office, concluded: "This kind of dialogue is a necessary step towards being the reconciling community that Christ calls us to be."
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