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Religions for Peace Myanmar Launched to Advance Inter-Communal Harmony and Peace (13 September 2012, Yangon, Myanmar) Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim communties in Myanmar
together launched the Religions for Peace Myanmar as the country’s first
full-fledged representative and action-oriented interreligious body for
reconciliation, peace and development. Approximately 100 religious, diplomatic, political and civil society
leaders in Myanmar and Religions for Peace International leaders joined the
inauguration. H.E. Thura U Myint Maung, Minister of
Religious Affairs of Myanmar, addressed the gathered group and affirmed the
vital role of multi-religious cooperation in advancing communal harmony and
peace. H.E. Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC), who was on a mission to Rakhine state, stated: “No
organization is better equipped than Religions for Peace Myanmar to advance
inter-communal reconcilaition. Partnerships between all other actors and the
religious leaders are urgently needed.”
Religions
for Peace Myanmar consists of Myanmar’s major religious organizations,
including the Buddhist Sitagu Sayadaw community; the Ratana Metta Buddhist
Organization; the Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC); the Catholic Church; the
Hindu Community in Myanmar; and the Islamic Center of Myanmar. Celebrating this important occasion and
expressing their global multi-religious solidarity, Myanmar religious leaders
were supported by the Religions for Peace International delegation, consisting
of Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Anunayaka
Thero, President, Sri Lanka Council of Religions
for Peace, Sri Lanka (Theravada Buddhist); Bishop
Gunnar Stalsett, Bishop Emeritus of Oslo; Member, Nobel Peace Prize Committee,
Norway (Christian) and Co-founder of the European Council of Religious Leaders-Religions
for Peace; Prof. Dr. Din Syamusuddin, President of Muhamadiyah; Co-President, Religions
for Peace; Moderator, Asian Conference of Religions for Peace, Indonesia (Muslim);
Honorable Ela Gandhi, Founder, Gandhi Development
Trust and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi; Honorary President, Religions for
Peace, South Africa (Hindu); Rev. Norio
Sakai, International Trustee, Religions for Peace, Japan (Mahayana Buddhist);
Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary
General of Religions for Peace International and Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Deputy
Secretary General Religions for Peace International. The Honorable Ela Gandhi recalled her
experience in the Truth and Reconcilation Commission in South Africa and stated
that “religious communities can and must work to heal the memories of communal
conflict and suffering.” “Communal harmony must be the bedrock of
authentic development for Myanmar,” added Secretary General Dr. Vendley. “The shared moral and spiritual values
of Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism advanced by Religions for Peace
Myanmar will provide a basis for communal harmony, while its grassroots
multi-religious projects will translate these values into needed action.” Contact: |
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RELIGIONS FOR PEACE—the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition—advances common action among the world’s religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than eighty national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network. 777 United Nations Plaza | New York, NY 10017 USA | Tel: +1 212-687-2163 | Fax: +1 212-983-0098 | www.religionsforpeace.org If you received this email from a friend, sign up to receive future emails. Vist us at    
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