A Call for Solidarity on 9/11

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

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