Parliament of the World?s Religions Calls for 9/11 Solidarity

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

A Call for Solidarity on 9/11 from the Board of Trustees

Council for a Parliament of the World?s Religions

As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, there are competing views about
the meaning of these tragic events.

Across the interreligious movement, there is deep distress about the
intentions of some to identify the Muslim tradition, and the Muslim
community, as the villains, rather than a few radical individuals.
Unfortunately, too many in the United States know little about the
true aims of Islam, nor do they know that Islam is fundamentally a
religion of peace and human solidarity and that the majority of
Muslims around the world are peace-loving citizens who unequivocally
condemn terrorism in the name of religion.

Regrettably, recent opposition to the building of mosques and
community centers in several cities has led to violence against
Muslims and the desecration of their sacred texts. Burning that which
others hold sacred is an act calculated to spark anger and fuel
violence.  We believe that such actions are unworthy of our nation and
stand outside the shared values of our traditions which call for
mutual respect and harmony.

Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World?s Religions call
upon people of faith, spirit and goodwill from all traditions to use
the solemn occasion of this 9/11 anniversary to reaffirm our
commitment to building a better world for our children and
grandchildren, and to affirm our solidarity with the Muslim community
in this country and around the world. In this spirit, we offer this
Call for Solidarity:

On this 9/11 weekend, we invite all persons and communities of faith,
spirit and goodwill everywhere to lift up their prayers, voices and
thoughts to spark a new attitude and sense of urgency, and to enkindle
a different flame:
a spark that will ignite in us again the impetus to bring comfort to
those who lost loved ones on that terror-filled day, and in the
violent conflicts and wars that followed from it;

a spark that will ignite in us again to stand calmly and firmly
against the forces of violence, distrust, hostility and cruelty;

a spark that will ignite in us again to stand with those who find
themselves on the margins of our society ? the homeless and those
losing their homes, the documented and undocumented immigrant, the
unemployed and financially insecure;

a spark that will ignite in us again the commitment to seek healing
and reconciliation at home and abroad, in the cause of justice and 
peace.

In whatever ways that are in keeping with our individual and unique
sacred traditions, we issue a call to stand together this weekend of
September 10 ? 12 in order to quench the fires of hatred and violence
in our nation and our world, and to become aflame for the cause of a
truly ?beloved community.?

The Board of Trustees

Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions
70 East Lake Street, Suite 205
Chicago, Illinois 60601 USA
Tel: + 1 312.629.2990
Fax: + 1 312.629.2991

> info@parliamentofreligions.org