CHICAGO - Nationally recognized leaders of Christian, Muslim, Jewish and other faith communities will be convening in Chicago April 29-30 to prepare and release their first joint declaration since the Iraq war. They are expected to address the humanitarian, spiritual and political costs of war and its ramifications here at home. Together they will consider:

. What are the promises - and perils - for religious freedom and human rights now in Iraq?

. Who should administer humanitarian aid to Iraq?

. Who should administer reconstruction and incur the cost to rebuild Iraq?

. Should the U.S. stay in Iraq for the foreseeable future or support a multilateral effort led by the United Nations?

. Did this war strengthen fundamentalism - and is that good or bad?

. Is U.S. foreign and domestic policy helping or hurting interfaith relations?

. How can interfaith understanding be promoted in the current context?

A Press Conference on the National Interfaith Summit on Iraq will be held Wednesday, April 30, at the O'Hare Marriott Hotel in Chicago, to address the war's lessons for foreign policy, Iraq's humanitarian needs, U.S. role in Iraq's future, and religious and cultural tolerance.

The Summit convenors are Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches; Dr. Sayyid Muhammad Syeed, General Secretary, Islamic Society of North America; and Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Other key summit participants include experts in humanitarian aid, the Middle East and interfaith relations, among them: The Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director, Church World Service, which has provided nearly $4 million in humanitarian aid in Iraq since 1991; the Rev. Dr. Tyrone Pitts, General Secretary, Progressive National Baptist Convention, part of an NCC delegation that met with the Pope in February; the Rev. Dr. Victor Makari, Presbyterian Church (USA), a Middle East specialist; Dr. Janice Love, a United Methodist and interfaith relations specialist; Dr. John Borelli, an interreligious affairs expert with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; peace activists Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Director, The Shalom Center; and Jean Stokan of Pax Christi U.S.A., and more.

National Council of Churches News Service