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Public Relations Office
3-7 Hamilton Street
Mont Albert VIC 3127

Telephone: (03) 9896 6007

 

 
Christian, Muslim leaders say 'No!'

 

24 February 2003

The Salvation Army is a signatory to the following letter which was published in The Age on Friday, 21 February 2003 and the Herald-Sun on Monday, 24 February:

Our religious communities are gravely concerned about the imminent threat of war in Iraq. As Christian and Muslim communities in Victoria, we affirm that all people - regardless of race, nation or religion - are the family of God. Acts of war devalue both humanity and creation. We are concerned that war with Iraq would:

  • Put at risk the lives of many innocent Iraqi citizens.
     
  • Result in major unrest in the Middle East.
     
  • Lead to unacceptable humanitarian consequences.
     
  • Fuel discord between East and West, Christian and Muslim.
     
  • Be an unjust action.
     
  • Make the situation worse, not better.

We seek peace with justice, but together we reject both terrorism and militarism as a means of achieving justice. Therefore, we urge our governments and the international community to seek alternative solutions to the present crisis that will not increase the level of human suffering in Iraq.

We commit our faith communities to pray and work together for peace and for good community relations. We urge avoidance of language that might cast the current tension in religious terms or encourage extremism or prejudice.

We pray that peace will descend from God. We ask for it with the strength of our faith, of our prayers, and of our compassion for the people of Iraq.

The letter was endorsed by the following churches:

Yasser Soliman, president Islamic Council of Victoria
Sheikh Recep Idrisi, chairman Board of Imams
The Most Reverend Denis Hart, chairman Heads of Church Committee, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
The Most Reverend Peter Watson Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne
Pastor Alun Davies Victorian State Superintendent, Assemblies of God
The Reverend Allan Demond, president Baptist Union of Victoria
Bob Barreau, president Churches of Christ, Victoria and Tasmania
The Reverend Father Macarius Wahba Coptic Orthodox Church, Melbourne Diocese
The Reverend Dr David Stolz, president Lutheran Church of Australia, Victorian District
The Reverend Father Varghese Philip Mar Thoma Syrian Church - Victoria
Sandy Parker, regional meeting clerk Religious Society of Friends
The Reverend D. Coman Romanian Orthodox Church - Victoria
Lieut-Col. Ian E. Hamilton, Commander The Salvation Army - Melbourne Central Division
The Most Reverend Peter Stasiuk Ukrainian Catholics in Australia
The Reverend Alistair Macrae, moderator Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Uniting Church in Australia
The Very Reverend Peter Kenny, president Victorian Council of Churches

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For more information, please contact:

John Dalziel, Communications Director
The Salvation Army
Phone: (03) 9896 6007
Mobile: 0417 537 950
Email:

 

 
 

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Page last updated on: 8/17/2006 11:45:07 AM     Page created on: 8/9/2006 11:48:06 AM