September 10, 2010

We in Peace for Life, an international faith-based movement engaged in interfaith solidarity for the struggle against global hegemony, support the call of religious leaders in the United States of America to put an end to the anti-Muslim bigotry that has swept many parts of the country in response to the planned construction of an Islamic community centre in New York City, two blocks from where the World Trade Center once stood.

We denounce in particular the anti-Islam rhetoric and acts of some Christian groups in the USA against the Muslim community such as the threat of the evangelical Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida to publicly burn 200 copies of the Holy Qur'an on the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Such acts only demonstrate that religious extremism and fundamentalism exist on both sides of the current Christian-Muslim divide in the U.S. war on terror. Its adherents believe war is part of God's will and they have been chosen to impose "God's will".

We call for an end to violence done in the name of religion and an end to intolerance. We call on people of all faiths and convictions to reject wars of aggression and subjugation; to reject fear-based militarised national security; and to work for lasting peace grounded in justice.

We urge the churches and other religious groups to work for furthering understanding among people of different faiths; for healing of any grievances of the past for which true contrition of the perpetrators is an imperative, and to work together so that justice and peace may prevail.

In these times of intolerance, divisions and violence, we affirm our founding principles:

• As Christians whose faith teaches us the spirituality of resistance against those who arrogate power and use the scriptures to divide people according to religious beliefs and cultural practices;

• As Muslims who believe that Islam is a religion of tolerance, compassion and peace, and who disapprove of the terrorist acts committed by the militant fringe within the community;

• And as people of various faiths who celebrate our common humanity and the universality of our spiritual heritage; who recognise that solidarity among people of all religions and convictions is necessary if we are to frustrate the certainty of an all-powerful empire and its wars of occupation and plunder.

In times of wars and rumors of war, of generalised violence and of confusion and fear, all of us are challenged by the basic tenets of our respective religions to love our neighbours, to be makers of peace, and to do unto others as we would have others do unto us.

On behalf of Peace for Life
REV. EUNICE SANTANA MELECIO
Moderator

Peace for Life, Philippines