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EDITOR’S NOTE: It is necessary through the collaboration of NGO’S
to raise awareness amongst communities as we promote peace. If you will,
the need for community consciousness is a way we can connect parties and
others. It is important at this time that all parties begin to realize
that they are a part of a larger picture, that they are in it together
and they have common concerns. If there is a conflict all parties have
contributed to the conflict and they have the power to come together to
develop a non-violent intervention to result into a resolution. It is
time for us as people to acknowledge that there is something more that
exceeds our own individual positions and needs. The United Nations, religious
institutions and NGO can be an avenue to promote community consciousness
to encourage globally consciousness, clear and realistic decisions as
they promote non-violence solutions to conflicts!
Pastor honored for
role in protests that felled the Berlin Wall.
Kassel, Germany (ENI) Leipzig Protestant pastor Christian Führer
has been honored for his autobiography that recounts how the weekly peace
prayers in his parish led to the 1989 protests that contributed to the
fall of communism in East Germany. Führer was awarded a special prize
by the Protestant Literature Portal for his book,“Und Wir sind dabei gewesen:
Die Revolution, die aus der Kirche Kam“ („And we were there. The revolution
that came from the Church“). On 9 October, Leipzig in eastern Germany
marks the 20th Anniversary of tens of thousands of people taking to the
streets after the prayers for what turned out to be a peaceful demonstration
for change, despite fears of a Beijing-style Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Orthodox leader to open global Christian unity meeting in Crete
Kolympari/Geneva (ENI). Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I, a spiritual
leader who represents Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is to open a meeting
of theologians from the world’s main Christian traditions gathering in
Crete, to seek ways of promoting church unity. The meeting of the Commission
on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches on the Greek island
is to “address the question of Christian unity from new perspectives“,
the WCC said in a statement in advance of the 7 – 14 October gathering
in Kolympari.
African church head urges Guinea president to halt crackdown
Nairobi (ENI). The largest ecumenical grouping in Africa is calling on
the Guinea’s self-appointed leader to allow freedom of association and
expression after 157 people died in peaceful protest against his leadership.
“This bloodshed, that has put Africa and the whole of humanity to shame,
compels the All Africa Conference of Churches…to express to you the shock
and indignation caused by these horrors, “ said the Rev. Andre Karamaga,
the AACC general secretary, in a letter sent to Moussa Dadis Camara on
29 September.
Bishops in Rome ‘may raise issue’ of clerical celibacy in Africa
Rome (ENI). The 244 senior Roman Catholic Clerics from Africa meeting
in Rome will confront the problem of priestly celibacy on the continent
at a meeting during October, according to some sources close to the Vatican
meeting. High on the agenda are reconciliation, justice and peace at the
Special Assembly of the Synod of the Bishops of Africa that Pope Benedict
XVI opened in Rome on 4 October, a meeting that will last three weeks.
Polish journalist’s excommunication blasted after confession
ruse
Warsaw (ENI). A Roman Catholic bishop in Poland has excommunicated a journalist
after he secretly recorded a church confession for an article about sex
abuse by priests. The anti-clerical newspaper has in turn lambasted the
church. “The sacrament of penance and reconciliation requires proper understanding
and the greatest reverence,” said the Rev. Piotr Libera, the bishop of
Plock. “Any profanation of this sacredness deserves severe and unqualified
condemnation. To use the sacrament for some dishonest, cynical and deceitful
game aimed at striking the confessor is comparable to lifting one’s hand
against the Blessed Sacrament.”
No sausages at Palestinian Oktoberfest but plenty of beer
Taybeh, West Bank (ENI). There was barely a knockwurst sausage, Wiener
schnitzel, sauerkraut or accordion and tuba in sight. Yet the tantalizing
smell of grilled meats wafted through the air and the music of a traditional
dabkeh dance performed on the stage blasted through loudspeakers as the
West Bank’s Taybeh village celebrated its fifth annual “Oktoberfest” on
3 and 4 October.
Hymn writer who found words for faith and justice is praised
Geneva (ENI). The Rev. Fred Kaan, a prolific 20th century English language
hymnologist, once described himself as the “world’s most surprised hymn
writer”. Kaan, who has died aged 80, was unable to read music but wrote
the words of more than 200 hymns in English, even thought he started to
learn the language only at the age of 16. He was born in the Netherlands
in 1929 of Dutch parents, and moved in the 1950s to England where he died
on 4 October. Kaan was a retired minister of Britain’s United Reformed
Church.
US Lutherans will work together despite differences on gay clergy
Washington DC (ENI/RNS). Leaders of two U.S. Lutheran denomination have
pledged to continue working together on ministry projects despite deep
disagreements over the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s recent
decision to permit non-celibate gay clergy. The more conservative Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the larger Chicago based ELCA have worked
together on a number of social welfare projects and disaster relief despite
deep and longstanding theological differences, Religion News Service reports.
S. African activist drops campaign to ban religion in schools
Johannesburg, 8 October (ENI). An attempt to use the courts to ban South
African State schools from making Christian practices and beliefs part
of their daily instruction has collapsed after its main proponent withdrew.
George Claassen, head of Sceptics SA (SSA), an NGO that says it aims to
combat false beliefs by promoting scientific methods, cited verbal attacks
on him by religious people opposed to the move.
Slovenia Catholics lambaste choice of ‘Satanist’ church supervisor
Warsaw, 8 October (ENI) The Roman Catholic Church in Slovenia has accused
the government of willful provocation after it appointed a “Satanist”
to head the country’s State Office for Religious Communities. “It seems
the government actually has an interest in provoking conflict with us
to gain support from anti-clerical voters,” said Barbara Balogh, a spokesperson
for the 10 member Catholic bishop’s conference in the capital, Ljublijana.
Balogh’s comments followed the appointment of Ales Gulic, a lawmaker from
the Liberal Democracy party, to a five-year term as director of the religious
communities’ office, which monitors Slovenia’s 43 registered churches.
Study finds nearly a quarter of world’s population is Muslim
New York, 8 October (ENI) A new demographic study has determined that
Muslims represent nearly a quarter of the world’s current population with
nearly two-thirds of them living in Asia, and that Islam is the second
largest religion after Christianity. The study, released 7 October, and
conducted by the Washington based Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion
& Public Life, found that 1.57 billion people are Muslims out of an
estimated total world population of 6.8 billion.
South Africa’s Zuma meets Tutu as new bishop urges ‘delivery’
Cape Town (ENI). South African President Jacob Zuma at the weekend met
with a number of church leaders including his one-time fierce critic Nobel
Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Before South Africa held
national elections in April, Tutu said he could not pretend to look forward
to Zuma’s presidency due to allegations of corruption that had been leveled
at the then president in waiting and also a questioning about Zuma’s attitude
to the dignity of women.
Russian Patriarch takes up allegations about children’s shelter
Moscow (ENI) Patriarch Kirill I of the Russian Orthodox Church has taken
personal charge of an investigation into a children’s shelter at a convent
after two young women fled the institution, one of whom has made allegations
of abuse there. “His Holiness the Patriarch has approved the working out
of a list of recommendations regarding this shelter,” Hieromonk Savva
Tutunov, an official of the Moscow Patriarch ate told reporters. In an
open letter to President Dmitry Medvedev, and copied to Patriarch Kirill,
Valentina Perova, one of the young women who fled and is now aged 17,
wrote of rigid practices at the convent.
Indian Christians unhappy at verdicts on Kandhamal violence
Bangalore, India (ENI). Christians were elated when a court hearing cases
of anti-Christian violence in the troubled Kandhamal district of India’s
eastern Orissa state handed out life imprisonment to the accused in the
murder of a pastor. However, joy about the 23 September verdict of the
special “fast track” court that sentenced the five people accused in the
murder of Pastor Akbar Digal who was stabbed to death at Sulesaru in 2008,
was short lived.
UN expert stresses role of states in promoting religious tolerance
New York. Governments have a central role to play in either preventing
or contributing to religious friction, an independent United Nations expert
said, noting that a state’s commitments to non-discrimination as well
as its policies and messages, can promote tolerance.
Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief,
told a news conference in New York that there are preventive measures
governments can take to avoid further polarization on the basis of religion
before it erupts into violence. She also noted that while governments
are talking about issues such as defamation of religion, there is less
addressing of the issue of religious incitement to violence, discrimination
and hatred. In her presentation to the General Assembly, Ms. Jahangir
discussed warning signs and prevention, as well as how religion is being
used for political purposes. “It is quite clear that as long as discrimination
on religious grounds persists at the national or global levels, tensions
will deepen and, indeed, also be exploited by various religious, political
as well as militant forces,” she had told delegates. Ms. Jahangir added
that governments must meet this challenge with political announcements
or messages that are, “in the right direction.” While policies are one
tool in the hands of governments to deal with the issue, she noted that
they also have at their disposal political statement, education and inter-faith
dialogues, as well as bringing young people together for discussions on
each other’s religions, among others. A related issue is the indoctrination
of children into hating other religions, she said. “The government has
an obligation under the Convention of the Rights of the Child to protect
children from this kind 0of mental abuse. She also discussed how women
have become central to the prohibition or the allowing of religious symbols.
“There are countries that simply will punish women if they do not wear
a head scarf and there are other countries where women, if she wears a
head scarf, will be penalized or sanctioned.” “It has to be balanced,”
she said, noting that this is an issue related to freedom of expression,
as long as that right is not impinging on the rights of others. In addition
she raised the issue of using technology for incitement to violence, and
what capacity states have to tackle this in a way that does not impinge
on the freedom of expression.
Global church’s leader to visit communist ruled North Korea
Geneva (ENI) The head of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Samuel
Kobla, is to lead a delegation to North Korea, in the latest of several
recent visits from Christian groups to the communist ruled state. “We
will be meeting with the churches, government officials and learning about
the life and witness of churches in North Korea,” said Mathews George
Chunakara, director of the WCC Public Witness program, in a statement
announcing the visit. The WCC said Kobia, a Korean Methodist who steps
down at the end of 2009 as general secretary of the world’s biggest church
grouping, would preach at the Bong Soo Church in Pyongyang.
Petition seeking repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws handed to
UN
Geneva, (ENI). A petition calling for the repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy
laws, which impose the death sentence on a person, found desecrating Islam’s
holy book the Quran has been handed to the office of the United Nation’s
High Commissioner for Human Rights. The signatories say the law is used
to settle scores with non-Muslims and has been exploited to incite hatred
and attacks against Pakistan’s minority Christian community in recent
times. “These laws condemn to death any person who desecrates the Holy
Quran,” said the petition with more than 9000 signatures.
Ghanaian Lutheran bishop says African land deals can help people
Nairobi (ENI). New deals, under which African governments are leasing
agricultural lands to foreign governments and multinational corporations
for food production, could eventually benefit the continent’s people,
a senior Lutheran bishop has said. “As much as I do not agree to these
multinationals coming to Africa, we have to investigate, because we do
not know in the long term, the Rev. Paul Koffi Fynn from the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Ghana said in Nairobi, while attending a meeting on
climate change.
Church leaders see hope for Dalits in UN official’s anti-caste
stand
Manila (ENI). A sense of despair caused weeping among delegates during
a Bangkok global conference earlier in 2009 about the plight of Dalits
and other caste-discriminated people sometimes viewed as “untouchable”
in several Asian communities. “When I left Bangkok, I spent quiet times
praying and crying. I said to myself, ‘how will the dear Dalits stand
up and resist?’” said Bishop Owdenburg Mdegelia of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Tanzania. However, he said, “It was very encouraging to hear
that at least something has happened.”
Smithsonian to open evolution hall, launch dialogue with faith
Washington, DC (ENI/RNS). The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
in Washington DC will open a new permanent exhibit on the discovery and
understanding of human origins and convene a panel of experts to bridge
the gap between religion and science. With input from more than 50 scientific
and educational organizations and 70 distinguished scientists and educators.
The museum launched a Broader Social Impacts Committee to address the
interaction between religion and science.
Church of Scotland calls on British PM to lead anti-poverty fight
Edinburgh (ENI). Prospects for children and the world’s poor hinge upon
the success of the fight against poverty, a leader of the Presbyterian
Church of Scotland has told British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in a letter
calling on him to show “real leadership” in the anti-poverty fight. “The
potential of too many young people is destroyed simply because of the
poverty in which they grow up,” said the Rev. Ian Galloway, convener of
the church and society council of the Church of Scotland, in his letter
to Brown, who is also leader of Britain’s Labor Party.
Chile honors former World Council of Church’s leader
Geneva (ENI). Former World Council of Church’s general secretary the Rev.
Emilio Castro, a Methodist pastor from Uruguay, has been decorated by
the government of Chile for his defense of human rights in Chile during
the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet. The Orden de Bernardo O’Higgins,
Chile’s commendation for non-Chilean citizens, was bestowed on Castro
by the South American country’s representative to the international organizations
in Geneva, Ambassador Carlos Portales. Bernardo O’Higgins, a central figure
of Chile’s fight for independence in the 19th century, is considered the
nation’s founding father.
Lift N. Korea’s sanctions, says World Council of Church’s head
Hong Kong (ENI). The leaders of the World Council of Churches and the
Christian Conference of Asia are urging the international community to
lift economic sanctions against North Korea following a visit to the communist
ruled country. The WCC general secretary, the Rev. Samuel Kobia, led a
delegation to North Korea from 17 to 20 October and was accompanied by
the general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, Prawate Khid-arn.
It was the first time Kobia and Prawate had visited North Korea. In an
interview in Hong Kong, Kobia was asked if he wanted sanctions against
North Korea to be lifted, and he said, “After my visit to North Korea,
from my engagement with the church leadership and my observations, I am
now very convinced that time has now come to end the economic sanctions.”
New Vatican announcement takes many Anglicans by surprise
London (ENI). Predictions that 50 bishops as well as thousands of clergy
and laity might leave the worldwide Anglican Communion for the Roman Catholic
Church have followed a Vatican announcement of new procedures for admitting
discontented Anglicans. The Vatican announced on 20 October that Pope
Benedict XVI is to set up a structure to allow former Anglicans to enter
full communion with the Catholic Church, while preserving elements of
the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony”. The Archbishop
of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who is head of the Anglican Communion,
said in a letter to Anglican leaders around the world that he has been
informed of the Vatican decision only at, “a very late stage”. After his
election as pontiff in 2005, Pope Benedict said that his first priority
would be to work “to reconstitute the full and visible unity of all Christ’s
followers”. The Vatican statement announcing the setting up of the new
structure said the move could be seen as another step toward the realization
of the aspiration for full, visible union in the Church of Christ, one
of the principal goals of the ecumenical movement.
US’s Hillary Clinton praises interfaith example of Tatarstan
Moscow (ENI). U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has visited
the historic city of Kazan, where she praised the interfaith harmony of
Tatarstan, a region in Russia that has a mixed population and is home
to Muslim and Orthodox Christian holy places. “You have created an example
of how people can live together and pursue a common interest,” she told
Tatarstan’s President Mintimir Shaimiyev during a side trip to her visit
to Russia earlier in October. Clinton spoke to the Tatarstan president
after visiting Kazan’s 16th century Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the
Annunciation and the recently constructed Kul-Sharif Mosque; a re-creation
of a historic mosque destroyed by Ivan the Terrible.
Chilean who will head Lutheran body committed to church unity
Geneva (ENI). The Chilean pastor elected as the next general secretary
of the Lutheran World Federation, the Rev. Martin Junge, said after his
election on 26 October he believes firmly in the maxim that “to be Lutheran
is to be ecumenical”. “To be ecumenical is not an option but an expression
of who we are as a communion of churches,” said the 48-year-old Junge,
who is to take up his post following the next LWF assembly in Stuttgart,
Germany, in July 2010. The election for the top official of the church
grouping of 68.5 million members was after a series of closed sessions
of the LWF’s main governing body, its council, taking place near Geneva.
Catholic Church in India asserts right to evangelize
Mumbai (ENI). The Roman Catholic Church in India at its first ever national
mission congress has said that neither threats nor harassment will prevent
it from pursuing a path of evangelization that also takes heed of the
sensitivities of other faiths. “We will not be afraid to proclaim what
Jesus means for us by word… No opposition, no fear of persecution will
deter us, stated a message from the Indian Mission Congress attended by
1200 delegates from 160 dioceses from 14 to 18 October in Mumbai. Quoting
St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (9:16) in the Bible the message
said, “In every way, proclaim we must: ’Woe to me if I do not proclaim
the Gospel’.” Further, the message reiterated that the right to evangelize
is a “human right enshrined in the constitution of our nation”.
Lutheran federation says global crisis may lead to cut in its
work
Geneva (ENI). Churches have been hit by the global economic crisis as
much as other institutions and the president, general secretary and treasurer
of the Lutheran World Federation all say its effects have been long and
deep and are likely to impact on LWF social programs. LWF treasurer Peter
Stoll said in his report presented to the 22-27 October meeting of the
main governing body of the LWF, its council, “We still do not know when
times will be back to normal nor what ‘normal’ should be like.” Stoll
also warned that the LWF secretariat has been living beyond its means
and it would have to cut back its budget.
Chilean pastor new head of Lutheran World Federation
Geneva (ENI). The Lutheran World Federation has elected a 48-year-old
Chilean pastor, the Rev. Martin Junge, as general secretary of the global
church grouping that gathers more than 68 million Protestant Christians.
The election was announced on 26 October following a closed session of
the LWF’s main governing body, its council, taking place near Geneva.
With this election, Junge becomes the first representative from the Latin
America and Caribbean region to hold the highest position at the LWF’s
secretariat.
Praise for Lutheran World Federation general secretary-elect
Geneva (ENI). Church and Christian leaders from the World Council of Churches,
the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the United Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Germany have welcomed the election of the Rev. Martin Junge,
a Chilean pastor, as general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation
from 2010. Junge became the first representative from the Latin America
and Caribbean region to hold that position. He studied theology at the
Georg August University in Germany, and was ordained in 1989 in Chile.
He will succeed the Rev. Ishmael Noko, who is planning to leave office
at the end of October 2010.
The Secretary-General’s message on the International Day for
Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
– 6 November 2009
More than thirty years since the massive defoliation campaigns of the
Viet Nam War, and nearly twenty since the extensive pollution caused by
the destruction of 600 oil wells in Kuwait at the end of the first Gulf
War, the environment continues to fall victim to armed conflict worldwide.
Decades of protracted conflict in the Gaza Strip, for example, have so
severely affected groundwater supplies upon which 1.5 million Palestinians
depend for drinking and agriculture that those supplies are in danger
of imminent collapse.
Furthermore, in at least 18 conflicts since 1990, natural resources have
played a significant role. In Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,
armed groups to finance and prolong conflicts have exploited diamonds,
timber and gold. The consequences for the environment t and development
have been devastating.
While the environment and natural resources are crucial for building
and consolidating peace, it is urgent that their protection in times of
armed conflict be strengthened. There can be no durable peace if the natural
resources that sustain livelihoods are damaged or destroyed.
I call on Member States to clarify and expand international law on environmental
protection in times of war. Existing legal instruments should be adapted
to reflect the predominantly internal nature of today’s armed conflicts.
We need also to consider mechanisms for monitoring violations and recommending
sanctions and actions for enforcement, recovery and compensation. Furthermore,
national legislation must fully reflect provisions of international criminal
law that allow for the prosecution of environmental violations during
armed conflict.
On this International Day, let us renew our commitment to preventing
the exploitation of the environment in times of conflict and to protecting
the environment as a pillar of our work for global peace and sustainable
development.
SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS ARMS EMBARGO AND SANCTIONS IN DR CONGO
New York. The Security Council extended and expanded the arms embargo
and related sanctions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which have
been in place since 2003, for another year.
UN RENOVATION ON SCHEDULE AND MOVING BACK FROM THE RED TOWARDS
ITS BUDGET LIMIT
New York. The renovation of United Nations Headquarters in New York is
now only $90 million over its $1.876 billion budget compared with $219
million two years ago, with a good chance of returning to the black, while
being on schedule for completion by late 2013, the official in charge
of the overhaul said today.
When completed, the landmark 39 story building towering over the East
River and First Avenue in Manhattan will possess the 21st century trappings
of eco-friendly energy conservation, and its now dulled glass façade
will be replaced with a new glass curtain resplendent with the same bluish-green
tint as in its first incarnation in 1952.
UN uses Speeches, Photo Exhibit and Concert to voice Solidarity with
Palestinians
New York. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
is being observed at United Nations Headquarters in New York with a special
commemorative meeting, a new photographic exhibition and a concert by
Maqamat, an orchestra of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that it is vital that a sovereign
State of Palestine is achieved, noting that the Palestinian people continue
to struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination – a fundamental,
universal human right enjoyed by so many others across the world.
General Assembly President Ali Treki said the Day served as a reminder
that the Question of Palestine remains the oldest unresolved issue at
the United Nations.
As part of the commemoration, (UNRWA) UN Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East presented a new photo exhibit entitled
The United Nations and the Palestine Refugees, 60 Years Later. It featured
historical photos of the life of the first Palestinian refugees and UNRWA’s
working during the early years, as well as more recent photos of the agency’s
work in the five areas of its operations – Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The
West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
UN PEACEKEEPERS PLANT TREES IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE TO FIGHT CLIMATE
CHANGE
New York. United Nations peacekeepers planted nearly 600 trees in a botanical
garden in Côte d’Ivoire. A small but symbolic step in a project
to combat climate change that has already surpassed its target of 7 billion
trees – one for every person in the world.
UN ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR EARLIER START TO TREATMENT OF HIV/AIDS
New York. On the eve of WORLD AIDS DAY, the United Nations issued new
recommendations for fighting the pandemic, calling for an earlier start
to treatment for adults and adolescents, as well as urging HIV-positive
mothers and their infants to take antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) while breastfeeding
to prevent transmission.
LAOS: UN EXPERT WARNS AGAINST MARGINALIZING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
New York. Religious minorities in Laos remain isolated with little access
to higher education, few opportunities for job promotions in the public
sector and effective exclusion from decision-making processes, an independent
United Nations human rights expert said today.
Asma Jahangir, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief,
wrapped up a week long visit to Laos by calling on authorities in the
South East Asian country to sustain and foster respect for religious diversity.
“The test of freedom of religion or belief lies with the level of tolerance
extended to religious minorities,” she said in a statement issued in Vientiane,
the capital.
She voiced concern that religious minorities appear to have little or
no access to higher education and other opportunities.
A “glass ceiling in terms of their promotion in public service and their
participation in decision making” exists, Ms. Jahangir added, warning
that religious minorities must not be marginalized.
The Special Rapporteur met with both Government officials and private
citizens during her visit but she said some people told her they engaged
in self-censorship and were hesitant about approaching authorities on
religious matters.
She stated that her office has received serious allegations in the past
decade about the treatment of religious followers, including reports of
official campaigns aimed at forcing Christians to renounce their faith
and arrests made on the basis of religion.
Lao authorities acknowledged to Ms. Jahangir that some incidents had
occurred, but assured her that they would not be tolerated in the future
and that fresh instructions have been passed down to lower level officials.
In her statement the Special Rapporteur welcomed Laos’ recent ratification
of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which
bans religious discrimination and unreasonable restrictions on the movements
of individuals, including in their exercise of religious freedom.
Ms. Jahangir serves in an unpaid and independent capacity as a Special
Rapporteur and reports to the UN Human Rights Council, which is based
in Geneva.
Swiss minaret ban discriminates against Muslims, says UN expert.
New York. An independent United Nations expert on religious freedom, Ms
Asma Jahangir, voiced regret at the Swiss vote to ban the construction
of new minarets, stating that such a prohibition clearly discriminates
against Muslims. Indeed, a ban on minarets amounts to an undue restriction
of the freedom to manifest one’s religion and constitutes a clear discrimination
against members of the Muslim community in Switzerland. The vote reminds
us that no societies are immune to religious intolerance, it is therefore
more than ever necessary to continue raising awareness and educating people
about religious diversity, enabling all societies to adopt an enlightened
and progressive attitude towards the beliefs of other communities. Doing
so will help to eliminate the grounds for “irrational fears” towards Muslims,
which have been exploited in Switzerland for political purposes.
On December 4, 2009, Dr. DeLuca attended a meeting of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference where the matter was discussed with the Ambassador
of Switzerland.
Syrian Orthodox Church in America anticipates celebration of
its 20th year at the United Nations.
New York. At a recent Luncheon attended by H.E. Rev. Ambassador Anthony
J. DeLuca, Advisor, Antoinette A. DeLuca, Psy.D., President, Anne Riccitelli,
Litt.D., United Nations Representative and Rev. Fr. George McBride, D.D.,
Holy Wisdom Editor, celebrated their accomplishments in the past and discussed
what new ventures they will try to undertake as they approach their 20th
year.
Anne M. Riccitelli completes Third Year as Co-Chair of NGO media Sub-Committee
for United Nations Annual Department of Public Information NGO Conference
As Co-chair of the Media Sub-Committee of United Nations 62nd Annual Department
of Public Information Non Governmental Organizations Conference: “Disarm
Now! For Peace and Development,” Anne M. Riccitelli, Litt. D., worked
closely with United Nations information officers in New York to create
materials to promote the conference.
Working as a team with our counterparts in Mexico with direction from
DPI in New York, we developed materials that could be used in NGO newsletters
to describe the conference and encourage attendance at the event in Mexico.
We identified local media outlets which published interviews with the
62nd Conference Chair and which reached a larger public audience of several
hundred thousand print readers.
Working cooperatively together, we coordinated our message and talking
points for NGOs. We centered our message on the 62nd Conference theme.
All in their outreach efforts used this focused approach.
For further information on the various programs contact:
Dean, Ambassador Anthony J. DeLuca, Ph.D
Phone: (718) 698-0700
e-mail+ IgnatiusU@Aol.com
Website http//ignatiusu.com/diplomacy.html
United Nations Affairs – Syrian Orthodox Church In America
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