Press Release
The Charleston Interreligious Council, an organization that seeks to build trust, understanding, and friendships among all religious traditions, and whose members belong to over 10 faith communities, including the Muslim and Jewish traditions, joins the interfaith community in lamenting the violence and pain caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We join the Secretary-General of Religions for Peace, Azza Karam, in calling for an end to the suffering: “Violence breeds more violence,” she writes, “increases human suffering, and delays the long, hard work of building a just peace.”
As an organization that promotes religious freedom, the Charleston Interreligious Council denounces all acts of violence towards all people. When we experience this type of violence anywhere in our world, we are reminded of the vital importance of our work on a local, human level. We believe our most impactful work has been local – creating spaces of mutual understanding and respect for all people of faith and those of no faith.
Our community has family and friends that are directly affected by the conflict. Yet, locally, we continue to come together and learn about one another's faith, culture, and traditions. We state our admiration and respect for one another. This is how we enrich our community and set an example for future generations.
Please join us in support of creating a more peaceful world, by building bridges of understanding to promote sensitivity, tolerance, respect and fellowship among religious groups in Charleston and worldwide.
Dena Fokas Moses, Charleston Interreligious Council President
Ghazala Javed, CIC Board Member and Member of the Central Mosque of Charleston
Sandra Brett, CIC Board Member and Member of Synagogue Emanu-El
For more information about the Charleston Interreligious Council, go to CICouncil.org
