ZIMBABWE
23 April 2008
Dear Esteemed Members of Religions for Peace:
Warm greetings.
The people in Zimbabwe deserve all our support as they struggle with great hardships and a highly confused and volatile political situation.
Religions for Peace—through its African regional arm, the African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL)—is seized by this important challenge. You will find below the Statement of Religions for Peace leaders, Archbishop John Onaiyekan and H.E. Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, who are leaders both in our World Council and the African regional body.
Religions for Peace is actively pursuing ways to help resolve the current tensions under the able leadership of Dr. Mustafa Ali, the Secretary General of the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders.
Yours in solidarity,
Dr. William F. Vendley
The African Council of Religious Leaders
23 April 2008
Let Sanity Prevail In Zimbabwe
The leadership of the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) is profoundly saddened with the post-election uncertainty that has gripped Zimbabwe. The Council is distressed and deeply disturbed that after years of extreme socio-political and economic difficulties, violence is imminent in Zimbabwe. The people of that country are at the moment undergoing tremendous pressures occasioned by the socio-political and economic problems.
Religions for Peace ACRL strongly believes that peace and stability in Zimbabwe is of paramount importance. The Council therefore urges all the political actors in Zimbabwe to continue working vigorously towards such peace and stability. The President of Zimbabwe, the Government he leads and its agencies have a specific responsibility in this regard, especially to respect human rights and the sanctity of life of citizens.
Religions for Peace ACRL urges all peace loving Africans and friends of Zimbabwe to rally around the people of Zimbabwe to seek and find a just and peaceful solution to the present crisis.
Religions for Peace ACRL calls for a more pro-active, positive and determined approach from the African Union and all African leaders in the face of the imminent catastrophe in Zimbabwe, which has almost reached crisis levels. All hands must be on deck to banish for good the unfortunate impression that in Africa, many leaders are not interested in the democratic dispensation their citizenry wishes to prevail.
The Council fully recognizes the maturity of the people of Zimbabwe and thus appeals to them to continue the peaceful agitation for their rights, to seek political solutions to the current situation, and to stand together to the end—never to seek recourse in violence. Religions for Peace ACRL appeals to the religious leadership in Zimbabwe to be united in their pursuit of a just peace and to speak out against all socio-political and economic injustices perpetrated by any section of the society, people or government in Zimbabwe. The Council further calls on the international community to discourage and stop any actions that may breed further violence and conflict, such as the transfer of weapons. What Zimbabwe needs at this moment from the International Community is full and effective support for every effort or move to reach a peaceful solution.
May the God of justice and peace bring relief to our dear people of Zimbabwe. Amen.
Archbishop J. Onaiyekan
Archbishop of Abuja
Sheikh Shaban Mubaje
Grand Mufti of Uganda
Co-Chairs, Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders
The Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) is the foremost pan-African multi-religious body led by senior religious leaders drawn from each of Africa’s main religious traditions and all parts of the continent. The ACRL is affiliated with Religions for Peace and is its regional leadership body in Africa. For more information contact [email protected]
Religions for Peace is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace since 1970. Headquartered in New York and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through affiliated inter-religious councils in 70 countries in six continents
Religions for Peace—through its African regional arm, the African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL)—is seized by this important challenge. You will find below the Statement of Religions for Peace leaders, Archbishop John Onaiyekan and H.E. Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, who are leaders both in our World Council and the African regional body.
Religions for Peace is actively pursuing ways to help resolve the current tensions under the able leadership of Dr. Mustafa Ali, the Secretary General of the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders.
Yours in solidarity,
Dr. William F. Vendley
The African Council of Religious Leaders
23 April 2008
Let Sanity Prevail In Zimbabwe
The leadership of the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) is profoundly saddened with the post-election uncertainty that has gripped Zimbabwe. The Council is distressed and deeply disturbed that after years of extreme socio-political and economic difficulties, violence is imminent in Zimbabwe. The people of that country are at the moment undergoing tremendous pressures occasioned by the socio-political and economic problems.
Religions for Peace ACRL strongly believes that peace and stability in Zimbabwe is of paramount importance. The Council therefore urges all the political actors in Zimbabwe to continue working vigorously towards such peace and stability. The President of Zimbabwe, the Government he leads and its agencies have a specific responsibility in this regard, especially to respect human rights and the sanctity of life of citizens.
Religions for Peace ACRL urges all peace loving Africans and friends of Zimbabwe to rally around the people of Zimbabwe to seek and find a just and peaceful solution to the present crisis.
Religions for Peace ACRL calls for a more pro-active, positive and determined approach from the African Union and all African leaders in the face of the imminent catastrophe in Zimbabwe, which has almost reached crisis levels. All hands must be on deck to banish for good the unfortunate impression that in Africa, many leaders are not interested in the democratic dispensation their citizenry wishes to prevail.
The Council fully recognizes the maturity of the people of Zimbabwe and thus appeals to them to continue the peaceful agitation for their rights, to seek political solutions to the current situation, and to stand together to the end—never to seek recourse in violence. Religions for Peace ACRL appeals to the religious leadership in Zimbabwe to be united in their pursuit of a just peace and to speak out against all socio-political and economic injustices perpetrated by any section of the society, people or government in Zimbabwe. The Council further calls on the international community to discourage and stop any actions that may breed further violence and conflict, such as the transfer of weapons. What Zimbabwe needs at this moment from the International Community is full and effective support for every effort or move to reach a peaceful solution.
May the God of justice and peace bring relief to our dear people of Zimbabwe. Amen.
Archbishop J. Onaiyekan
Archbishop of Abuja
Sheikh Shaban Mubaje
Grand Mufti of Uganda
Co-Chairs, Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders
The Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) is the foremost pan-African multi-religious body led by senior religious leaders drawn from each of Africa’s main religious traditions and all parts of the continent. The ACRL is affiliated with Religions for Peace and is its regional leadership body in Africa. For more information contact [email protected]
Religions for Peace is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace since 1970. Headquartered in New York and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through affiliated inter-religious councils in 70 countries in six continents