wfn.org | North American Lutheran Bishops Meet Key Muslim Leader, Discuss Peace

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Title: North American Lutheran Bishops Meet Key Muslim Leader, Discuss Peace
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>January 15, 2009  

North American Lutheran Bishops Meet Key Muslim Leader, Discuss Peace
09-016-JB

RAMALLAH, West Bank (ELCA) -- A key Muslim leader here told
a group of seven North American Lutheran bishops Jan. 13 that
Christians and Muslims must work together for peace and justice.
Sheikh Tayseer Rajab Al-Tamini, supreme judge of the Islamic
Shari'a Courts in Palestine, suggested that world Muslim and
Christian leaders meet soon and deliver "a strong message to the
world" for peace in the wake of failed political negotiations and
escalating violence in Gaza.

The bishops were part of a group of 44 bishops representing
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), who visited the
West Bank and Israel Jan. 6-13.  The bishops met with religious,
political and community leaders, and visited religious sites.
Their visit focused on support and encouragement for the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).

Al-Tamini is a member of the Council of Religious
Institutions of the Holy Land, consisting of Christian, Jewish
and Muslim religious leaders. He noted that half the world's
population is either Christian or Muslim. "It is our destiny to
live together as Muslims and Christians with mutual respect," he
said. "We hope the Jews can do the same."  The sheikh said he
hopes Israel will end its occupation of Palestinian land and end
discriminatory policies toward Palestinians.

Al-Tamini said the deaths of children, women and elderly
people in Gaza, the result of the war between Israel and Hamas,
are "heartbreaking."  More than 1,000 Palestinians have died and
nearly 5,000 have been injured, according to news reports.
Thirteen Israelis have died. The sheikh referred to recent
attacks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the
destruction of 20 mosques in Gaza, saying that the Holy Land must
be "atrocity free."

Hanson and the sheikh have met previously. "I treasure and
appreciate your attitude toward the Palestinian cause.  We rarely
find an international leader standing with us like you," he told
the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop and president of
the Lutheran World Federation.  God created the world for all
people to live in peace, Al-Tamini said, adding that "pluralism
is the will of God."

Hanson responded that the bishops' visit here came at an
especially tragic time because of the Gaza war.  Lutherans reject
all forms of terrorism, he said. Hanson said he is concerned that
if Israel crushes Hamas, it will inflame radical elements
throughout the world.  "I hope global leaders can call for an
end to this war," Hanson said, emphasizing that it was important
that religious leaders speak with one voice.

Al-Tamini followed up by suggesting that Hanson contact
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammed of Jordan. Hanson met Prince Ghazi in
2005 in Jordan, and they discussed developing greater
understanding between Christians and Muslims for peace.

In 2007 Muslim scholars delivered to Christians a message,
"A Common Word Between Us and You." It was an invitation to
Christians to work with Muslims for peace and justice throughout
the world.  The supreme Islamic judge proposed that Christian and
Muslim leaders meet in Jordan to develop their own "common word"
of peace and justice. Christians and Muslims "must come together
for a stronger voice.  In Gaza, the politicians totally failed,"
Al-Tamini said.

The Rev. Margaret G. Payne, bishop, ELCA New England Synod,
Worcester, Mass., said such a meeting of Muslims and Christians
"sounded like a great way to implement 'A Common Word.'"

"I am happy and pleased that we had this meeting," said the
Rev. Susan C. Johnson, ELCIC national bishop. "I am excited that
we are working together as Muslims and Christians for peace.
This is especially important for those who see us as enemies."

>---

Information about the 2009 Bishops' Academy is at
http://blogs.ELCA.org/09cobacademy/ on the ELCA Web site.

>Information about "A Common Word" is at
>http://www.acommonword.com/ on the Web.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog