Muslim, Jewish and Christian Leaders Join Together to Confront Extremism on 9/11
Washington, DC–On the tenth anniversary of September 11th, Muslim,
Jewish and Christian clergy embark on an 18-city tour of the United
States to combat religious intolerance that has risen after 9/11.
They will be presenting messages about religious diversity and pluralism
to thousands–from fellow clergy and legislators to ordinary citizens
and students–engaging in interfaith dialogue and sharing their views of
the most important lessons from 9/11.
“Following September 11, moderate voices of all people of faith far
outnumbered the few who twist religion for their own purposes,” said
Imam Yahya Hendi, the President of Clergy Beyond Borders. “We take
pride in America’s tradition of pluralism and diversity–the United
States is truly a country of all, for all.”
]]> The tour will kick off on September 11, and will feature prayer breakfasts with faith leaders, solidarity meetings with religious communities facing persecution, workshops in reconciliation co-hosted by churches, synagogues, and Islamic centers, as well as dialogues in divinity schools, universities, and high schools.
“As Jews, Christians, and Muslims, we believe that our freedom of religion is threatened when any faith is singled out for attack,” said Rabbi Gerald Serotta, Executive Director of Clergy Beyond Borders. “To fight extremism, we need more religious tolerance, not less.”
Practicing what they preach, the Imams, Reverends and Rabbis will join one another’s religious services. They will engage in Bible Study in a Chattanooga Church, present the Friday Khutbah (sermon) in an Atlanta mosque, and participate in Sabbath services in a Cleveland synagogue.
“On this trip, we are helping people move from fear to understanding–and for that we turn to the common values that we find in all our religions,” said Father Adam Bunnell, a Franciscan Friar and Roman Catholic priest and who serves on the Board of Clergy Beyond Borders.
The tour is being led by Founder and President of Clergy Beyond Borders, Imam Yahya Hendi, who is also the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University and a member of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of North America; Rabbi Gerald Serotta, Executive Director of Clergy Beyond Borders and founding Chair of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America; Rev. Dr. Adam Bunnell, a Franciscan Friar and Roman Catholic priest who is Special Assistant for International and Interfaith Relations to the President of Bellarmine University; and Rev. Steve Martin, Executive Director of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good. Other religious leaders will be joining the group at each stop on their 15-day journey.
WHO: Clergy Beyond Borders
WHAT: Religious Leaders’ Caravan for Reconciliation: An American Journey of Clergy Beyond Borders
WHEN: Sunday, September 11, 2011-Sunday, September 25, 2011
WHERE: Harrisburg, PA–Sept. 11Washington DC–Sept. 12
Richmond, VA–Sept. 12
Durham, NC–Sept. 12, 13
Charlotte, NC–Sept. 13
Greenville, SC–Sept. 14
Atlanta, GA–Sept. 15-17
Chattanooga, TN–Sept. 18
Nashville, TN–Sept. 19
Murfreesboro, TN–Sept. 19
Louisville, KY–Sept. 20, 21
Cincinnati, OH–Sept. 21
Detroit, MI–Sept. 22
Toledo, OH–Sept. 23, 24
Cleveland, OH–Sept. 23
Mercersburg, PA–Sept. 25
Frederick, MD–Sept. 25 Clergy Beyond Borders (CBB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to an active religious pluralism that goes beyond mere tolerance for difference. The basic premise of their work is the conviction that all religions contain a message of commitment to improving the world, and that too often the differences rather than the commonalities become the subject for discussion. CBB promotes mutual recognition among religious communities, seeking not to remove meaningful borders between them, but rather building bridges of understanding and cooperation. For specific travel times and locations or to make arrangements for interviews, please contact Richard Eisendorf ([email protected] or 202-569-1714) or Katherine Mullen ([email protected] or 914-309-7804 ). For more information, visit www.ClergyBeyondBorders.org The press release is here