Interfaith Statement From Metro Detroit Religious Leaders

posted on: Dec 30, 2008

Many have joined us in our prayers for working together for peace in the days ahead. May the God of Compassion and Mercy, draw all of us together with bonds of justice and reconciliation.

We recognize that all of the events in the Middle East have local implications. And, we know that our Metropolitan Detroit community longs to hear from its faith leaders — to hear their prayers and their collective call for peace.

The violence in Gaza and elsewhere continues. In our own communities, there is demonizing of each other and too many of our community leaders seem to communicate through news reports and opinion pages of the newspapers rather than engage in any meaningful dialogue in person. We have continued to be involved in such dialogue and strongly encourage others to do the same.

We realize, that often what is “not said” can be just as hurtful as what is actually said. Silence at key points in community life can contribute to misunderstanding, bigotry and more violence. We are committed to speaking together for justice and peace when silence is hurtful.

We understand the statement that we have signed shows that the interfaith community: is still talking to each other; is praying for a long term solution to the problem in the Middle East; is asking for all to working locally for the collective good and for peace; and, denunciates violence on all sides, without finger-pointing at single side.
Interfaith Statement on the Middle East

The tragic loss of life and property in the Middle East, and the prolonged failure to negotiate a fair two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, are a matter of grave concern for all people of faith.

A permanent solution to the escalating cycles of violence must be found in the Holy Land that affects all the people of the Middle East.

We urge the Children of Abraham to stop killing each other.

We cannot stand by and let our families of faith be torn apart.

We pray for the end to killing.

We call for:

1) Prompt cessation of all hostilities by all sides — Ending the use of force causing civilian casualties and destroying lives/communities.

2) The United States to bring the warring sides together and resolve their differences.

3) The Israelis and Arabs to reach agreement on final and secure borders, to live in peace with justice side by side recognizing each others right to exist with dignity and security.

The Signatories below invoke the spirit and guidance of God as we attempt to please God be calling for peace, justice and reconciliation.

Signatures:

The Rev. Daniel S. Appleyard, Christ Episcopal Church, Dearborn

Victor Ghalib Begg, Council of Islamic Organizations of MI

Bob Brutell, Professor Religious Studies, University of Detroit Mercy

Gail Katz, President, WISDOM (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit)

Brenda Rosenberg, Reuniting the Children of Abraham, Birmingham

Sheri Schiff, Race Relations & Diversity Task Force, Birmingham-Bloomfield

Roger Strelow, Christian Science Church, Birmingham