RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES MUST EMBRACE SHARED VALUES TO FOSTER PEACE – UN OFFICIALS

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES MUST EMBRACE SHARED  VALUES TO FOSTER PEACE – UN  OFFICIALS


Special event at UN Headquarters to mark  World Interfaith Harmony Week. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz

14 February 2013 – Senior United Nations officials today stressed  the importance of religious communities joining forces to foster peace and  development and TO COMBAT EXTREMISM.

“All of the world’s great religions share the values of peace,  human dignity and respect for others,” said Deputy Secretary-General Jan  Eliasson, at a special event at UN Headquarters to mark World Interfaith Harmony Week. “We welcome opportunities to  join forces with people of faith who are working for PEACE,  DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS and the RULE OF LAW.”

Mr. Eliasson noted that many religious groups have been at the  forefront of grassroots efforts to help the poor, provide health services and  support young people. However, HE WARNED THAT RELIGIOUS  EXTREMISM IS CAUSING LASTING DAMAGE AND WIDESPREAD SUFFERING.

“WE CANNOT LET SMALL NUMBERS OF EXTREMISTS OF  ANY FAITH OBSCURE THE GOOD WORK OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF BELIEVERS IN OUR  WORLD.”

In particular, he expressed concern over young people who turn  to extremists promising rewards or salvation, and are conscripted to campaigns  of hate and violence. “Young people naturally have much energy and idealism. We  should find ways to help them use these positive qualities to improve conditions  of life.”

While many conflicts in the world are marked by religious disputes,  Mr. Eliasson underlined that inter-faith dialogue can help resolve conflicts.  “With dialogue, we can combat hate. With inter-faith  harmony, we can build bridges to a better future.”

The President of the General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic, said the UN  can greatly benefit from engaging with RELIGIOUS LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD who  are working to achieve PEACE, and pointed out that many UN agencies have  strengthened their partnerships with faith-based groups.

“We ought to re-embrace the calls of our respective faiths for  individuals to show respect for all and compassion for the most vulnerable,  notwithstanding their differences, in recognition of God’s image not only in  ourselves but in everyone else – however they may worship and wherever they may  live,” Mr. Jeremic said.

“Let us reach out to one another, on equal footing, and truly work  on healing the wounds of centuries of conflict between peoples of different  religions – vigilantly mindful of the danger that the ills and grievances of  bygone centuries, if they continue to be reawakened, can engulf us in a  maelstrom of unmatched ferocity.”

The event, entitled “United for a Culture of  Peace Through Interfaith Harmony,” was organized by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization  (UNESCO) and the  Committee of Religious Non-Governmental Organizations.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44149&Cr=religion&...