Follow Countering Violent Religious Extremism in Abuja, Nigeria. Global Interfaith Youth Network NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014

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1 Global Interfaith Youth Network Follow NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014 NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2016 facebook.com/rfp.giyn Transforming Conflict, Promoting Peace & Advancing Sustainable Development INSIDE THIS ISSUE AFRICA- COUN- TERING VIOLENT RELIGIOUS EX- TREMISM IN NIGE- RIA page 1 Countering Violent Religious Extremism in Abuja, Nigeria GLOBAL- WEL- COMING THE OTH- ER: CLEAN, PRAY, COLLABORATE page 8 EUROPE- EIYN AD- DRESS MIGRATION AND REFUGEE CRISIS AT ECRL MEETING Page 9 UNITED NATIONS- SPECIAL REPORT ON THE UN COM- MISSON ON THE STATUS OF WOM- AN Page 10 INTERNATIONAL- INTERFAITH CAL- ENDAR Page 11 May Nigeria Violent Religious Extremism (VRE) is at the forefront of security concerns across Africa. Nigeria is not an exception. As a network, the Abuja Interfaith Youth Network recognizes that the choice to support VRE is driven by many factors. Despite the inter-connected world we live in, there is a sense of disengagement and marginalization, that leaves young people vulnerable to recruitment wherever they are. Some young people join violent extremist groups as a way to pursue exclusionary ideologies, to rectify real and/or perceived injustice, or to feel part of something larger than themselves. Some feel coerced to use violence because of manipulation or fear. The resulting violence has taken too many innocent lives. In response to extremist violence perpetuated in the name of religion, the Nigerian Government has taken action to counter violent religious extremist movements, often through military force. However, this approach often only tackles the symptoms of the problem rather than addressing the factors driving participation in VRE. In many instances, security responses by the Government further aggravate tensions and trigger more support for violent ideologies. This approach often adds to the feeling of exclusion and fails to engage youth as key allies in building resilience against VRE. In most cases, youth are framed as either perpetrators of violent religious extremism, or as possible victims of recruitment into violent groups. However, this perception fails to capture the fact that most youth should be an integral part of the solution. 1

2 AFRICA Speakers were chosen from different disciplines and faiths to deliver papers on issues centered on ways to combat violent religious extremism. This was centered on the nature, impact and possible solutions to violent religious extremism. Workshops were held were participants were divided into groups with discussions on practical implementation of the project, Training on Peace Building and the implementation of result oriented ideas on multi -religious peace building. Issues deliberated upon are as follows: Encouraging dialogue and strengthening collaboration amongst youth of diverse religious traditions. Taking concrete actions in the area of Violent Religious Extremism and Internally Displaced Persons. Preventing violence and facilitating young people s disengagement from Violent Religious Extremism through education, economic empowerment and trainings on skills acquisition. Developing and implementing a blue print for Inter Religious Peace Building in the 36 States of the Country. Establishing Interfaith Youth Network in the 36 States and local Communities. Showing Compassion and Love to the Internally Displaced Persons Campaigning for the complete abolition of Nuclear weapons With commitments to learning, to partnership, to innovation, and to impact, the Network has decided to increase its advancement in the promotion of peace and provision of aid to those who are affected by the vices of violent religious extremism. The youth went on solidarity visits to those most impacted by the crisis by visiting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja, Nigeria. In collaboration with Quipid Medicare, the Network administered medical services to the internally displaced persons. Another point of visit was the National Mosque, Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Cathedral, Catholic Church and His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan s residence. Some participants were appointed state coordinators so they can return to their states as Ambassadors of Peace to ensure the Network is established at the grass root level and interfaith coexistence promoted. 2

3 The youth have committed to scaling up their ongoing work on youth-led interreligious dialogue and collaboration across the country. One youth member, Mr. Itodo Michael Olachene wrote about his experience stating We learnt that the network is an initiative and brain work of the Sultan of Sokoto and John Cardinal Onaiyekan to foster peace among the various practicing religion in order to bring about unity and development. In this regards, many Islamic scholars and priests were brought and they gave talks on the subject matters. To follow it up, there was cultural dance and choreography presentation to demonstrate and preach the need for peace and unity in our beloved country via the various religion. Interestingly, courtesy visits were made to Internally Displaced Persons center, where they were medically checked, diagnosed, administered drugs and were equally shown love in all ramifications. Also, we visited the national mosque in Abuja and the residence of John Cardinal Onaiyekan who gave his fatherly words of wisdom. All the visits attracted lots of collective and memorable pictures. It wasn t a dull moment at all. It was an interactive conference full of experiences that was foretold. The accommodation, feedings and all other arrangements like souvenirs and transportations given was wonderful and superb. It was just like, home away from home. Departing from each other became very difficult and pitiful. We thank God for safe journeys to and from the conference. Finally, we were encouraged to form this network in our various states, source for sponsorship and equally draw the attention of government to it importance as a viable tool to bring about peaceful coexistence in our beloved country, Nigeria. One other youth member, Mr. Sam Ukey, who attended the conference said For me as a person, the most challenging moment of that conference was our visit to the internally displaced persons camp in Durumi, Abuja as I did not see them as either Muslims or Christians but I saw them as human beings who were living in such hard conditions due to no fault of theirs but rather out of the decisions of a minute few to pursuit war instead of peace and this made me cry and I am proud to say. The anger I felt in me was unquantifiable but however it was calmed when we visited the National Mosque at Central Area Abuja, where I began to have mutual respect for Islam, the Church and as I heard the words of wisdom from His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan I decided there and then that violence is not and would never be the way forward and I went to bed pondering as to how I could reduce the effect of religious extremists. In all I must say that the conference has impacted in me the need to live for peace, the need never to use religion as a tool for personal benefits and I have always learnt that both religions are peace full religions. 3

4 GLOBAL Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate Multi-Religious Youth Actions for Environemental Sustainability Global- Religions for Peace (RfP) Global Interfaith Youth Network (GIYN) has focused on Protecting the Earth as one of it s three main priorities for , along with Countering Violent Religious Extremism (VRE) and addressing the global Refugee Crisis. Multi-Religious Youth leaders have taken initiatives to engage their respective local populations in very simple acts of care for the environment and each other through advocacy, education and other community awareness raising actions. In 2016, RfP GIYN launched an initiative titled Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate, as a one-day global awareness multi-religious campaign to encourage safe, clean, and environmentally friendly places of worship in celebration of United Nations Environmental Program World Environment day on June 5th, Multi-Religious Youth collaborated on volunteering in each other s local mosques, synagogues, churches, temples etc. by assessing what each specific place requires assistance in. Some of the activities were to campaign for the installations of working toilets, organizing rubbish collection or equipping the site to be eco-friendly. Leading up to this day, the youth appreciated and learned from each other about each faith tradition, as well as delivered much needed services for these religious sites. Learn more abouth the initiaitve #CleanPrayCollaborate SUGGESTED CLEAN, PRAY, COLLABORATE ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE UNDERTAKEN: Volunteer to clean up places of worship by having a group of multi-religious youth visit one or more temples, churches, mosques, or synagogues and pick up garbage. Install soap and hand sanitizers dispensers, stock up on toilet paper or offer to beautify the building itself through repainting or repairing. Start a waste reduction and recycling program. Participate in community cleanups and beautification projects. Start a waste reduction and recycling program. Instill a culture of water saving by introducing a feasible water management policy. 4

5 ASIA & PACIFIC Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate Multi-Religious Youth Actions in Indonesia June Indonesia The opening ceremony of Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate was hosted by Youth Muhammadiya. Muhammadiya is the second largest Muslim organization in the world with 35 million members. At the opening ceremony marking the initiative for protecting the earth, hundreds of youth, senior religious leaders and government officials came together to show their support for the initiative. Mr. Din Syamsuddin, Co-Moderator of Religion for Peace International and President of Muhammadiya commended the youth for their work, and their commitment to work with different faith traditions in Indonesia to make places of worship in Indonesia more environmentally friendly. The youth have undertaken to clean mosques, churches and temples all over Indonesia, and to work with places of worship to identify wasteful behaviors and harmful practices that could be eliminated and replaced with eco-friendly and sustainable solutions. Indonesian Youth from Christian, Hindu and Buddhist communities joined the month-long initative to 5 clean Mosques, Temples, Pagodas and other places of worship. This is the second annual time that the iniative has been conducted in Indonesia under the local initative name of Clean, Pray, Love. Mr. Dahnil Anzar Simanjutak, President, Youth Muhammadiya and a member of Religions for Peace International Youth Committee stated that he was glad that this local initiative had been adopted by the RfP Global Interfaith Youth Network into Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate and hoped that the initative would grow each year and be replicated in all of the corners of the world. 5

6 EUROPE Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate Multi-Religious Youth Actions in the United Kingdom June United Kingdom In the framework of the Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate initiative, commemorating UN World Environment Day, multi-religious youth in different countries across the globe, got together in order to learn each other s faith traditions, as well as deliver much-needed services for the religious sites. In Europe the activities took place in different countries. In Maidenhead, UK, young Buddhists from RfP European Interfaith Youth Network s member organization (SGI UK) joined with young Muslims to clean a local mosque and its grounds. As Gabrielle Westhead, from SGI group, said: This event is of no cost but has a potential powerful symbolic impact on our local communities and places of worship. It looks also, like the youth enjoyed the time together and had a successful dialogue about environmental issues and elements of Buddhist and Islamic faiths. Another activity in the framework of Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate global multi-religious initiative took place on Sunday, June 5 in Leicester, UK. The event was organized by RfP European Interfaith Youth Network s member organisation National Hindu Students Forum (UK) Local youth volunteered in a local Hindu temple, called Sanatan Mandir. The youth helped clean the Mandir and helped serve food to the temple s devotees. 6

7 LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate Multi-Religious Youth Actions in Brazil June Brazil One week after the United Nations World Environment Day, six months after the historical Paris Agreement, and one year after the launch of the Papal Encyclical Laudato Si, Religions for Peace (RfP) Latin America & Caribbean Interfaith Youth (LAIYN) helped in planning, organizing, and were active participants in an event titled Faiths on Climate - Our Sacred Earth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event sought to highlight the need to connect multi-religious people to collaborate together against the imminent threats the earth is facing from climate change. The event, which also happened in other countries and cities simultaneously, aimed to deepen the call for world leaders to commit themselves to the limit of no more than a 1.5 degrees global temperature increase, which is stated in the Paris agreement of December It is also in the line with the Religions for Peace Global Campaign Faiths for Earth. Climate change is one of the greatest moral challenges of our time. Multi- Religious leaders of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Shinto, Sikh, Taoist, and Zoroastrian faiths, have pledged to do their part by embracing the moral responsibility to care for our world and for calling on each country s head of state to create a world of 100% renewable energy by This appeals to the awareness of citizens of various faiths on the urgency of further ratification of the agreement, which only came into force when it was signed by countries representing at least 55 % of global emissions of gases that cause the greenhouse effect. Although a historical record was reached April 22, 2015 on Earth Day, when 175 countries signed the agreement in New York. The goal has yet to be achieved, and religious communities need to continue to call on their governments for full ratification and implementation of the agreement. In addition to actively participating in the processes of the event, RfP LAIYN held talks with different religious and faith based organizations, in order to establish and solidify the local chapter of the Brazil Interfaith Youth Network. They meet with the Institute of Religious Studies (ISER), the Youth Ecumenical Network, the regional coordination of Brahma Kumaris and Interfaith Network of Rio de Janeiro among other groups to solidify their collaboration on this important issue. 7

8 NORTH AMERICA Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate Multi-Religious Youth Actions in USA June USA RfP North America Interfaith Youth Network members served at a Gurudwara, a Sikh place of worship in Chicago, to commemorate United Nations World Environment Day on June 5. The Multi-Religious Youth Leaders joined youth from other regions to initiate the first annual Welcoming the Other: C lean, Pray, Collaborate to offer to serve places of worship and bring more environmental awareness to religious communities. The youth were curiously welcomed at the Gurudwara were they learned about the importance of this place of worship and witnessed a service. The youth set up a Religions for Peace table were they fielded questions and discussed with the congregations about some of the hurdles some members expressed about feeling misunderstood in the United States about their faith, and having to always feel the need to raise awareness about Sikhism. The youth also engaged with the congregation about their own faith speaking freely about Judaism and Greek Orthodoxy among other faiths. Some of the congregation members learned about RfP and decided to sign up for the newsletter and expressed a desire to know more about interfaith and the important work RfP is doing. The youth were then invited to be part of the service and to address the congregation. After the service, the youth went into the Langar area, it is the term used in the Sikh religion for the common kitchen/canteen where food is served in a Gurdwara to all the visitors (without distinction of background) for free. The multi-religious youth offered to spend the rest of the afternoon serving food, drinks and recycling and adding to the compost pile for the congregation, as their act of service for Clean, Pray, Collaborate. 8

9 AFRICA Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate Multi-Religious Youth Actions in Kenya June Kenya African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) with support from Religions for Peace facilitated the Africa Interfaith Youth Network to conduct Welcoming the Other: Clean, Pray, Collaborate initiative. The initiative provides the multi-religious youth leaders with an opportunity to be part of three places of worship namely a Church, Mosque and Temple, for the months of June, July and August respectively. The first event was held at St. Paul Catholic Parish and Chaplaincy of the University of Nairobi, in Kenya. The participants were drawn from the International Young Catholic Students; International Movement of Catholic Students; Seventh Day Adventist, Evangelical Alliance of Kenya and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches. The youth attended two masses with the local youth parishioners and congregation. The parish priest included the theme of Welcoming the Other in his two sermons. The parish priest and the congregation also recognized the youths presence and appreciated their presence in the church service. In the afternoon, the youth were joined by the university students, high school students and even the Sunday school children in the cleaning of main hall and the restrooms. A total of 35 youth participated in this event. The lessons drawn by the youth and put out during the debriefing meeting after the cleanup was the importance of breaking down religious misconceptions among the youth in different faith communities. The need for unity among the youth from different communities was reiterated by all participants. Another lesson was a general appreciation for the work undertaken by the caretakers of places of worship who ensure that worshippers commune in a clean and tidy environment. The role of the resident youth worshippers in the maintenance of places of worship was emphasized in order to advance enviornment sustainable places. The youth were enthusiastic on being part of the initiative in visiting other places of worship and meeting youth from different faiths. 9

10 EUROPE European Youth Address Migration and Refugee Crisis at the European Council of Religious Leaders Meeting May Italy A representaitive of RfP European Interfaith Youth Network (EIYN), Ms. Gabrielle Westhead, a young Buddhist leader from UK took part in the annual meeting of the European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL). The meeting took place in Brixen, Italy, under the theme: Mass migration: A European Challenge. Thirty religious leaders from all over Europe gathered in Italy to discuss challenges faced by Europe today such as high unemployment, mass migration, the threat of terrorism as an effect of conflicts across the globe, and political and economic problems in many countries. Brixen, Italy, was chosen as a place for the meeting, as one of the most sensitive points on the route for migrants from southern to northern Europe. The significant influx of migrants and refugees into Europe demands a political and humanitarian response. The current situation presents an opportunity for the European community to demonstrate the advantages of regional collaboration, and for religious communities and leaders to show their enormous capacity for compassion, kindness and solidarity ECRL members stated in a common declaration from representatives from thebuddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Zoroastrian traditions signed at the end of the meeting.the declaration further states However, the mass migration of people across continents also creates significant challenges. We firmly believe that religions possess much-needed wisdom, and the spiritual and ethical resources, to help deal with these problems in a loving and constructive way. We see these challenges as an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth for all. We implore people of all religions and none across Europe to work together to help all those in need. The complete text of the ECRL Brixen declaration Mass migration: A European Challenge can be downloaded by clicking here. Gabrielle Westhead a member of EIYN s Core Group- stated about her experience: It was the first time attending the ECRL meeting on behalf of RfP EIYN. I felt a huge sense of responsibility to represent the youth voice, as well as the voice of young women, and was encouraged by ECRL members to do so. I delivered a presentation about EIYN s previous and future-planned activities, which were gratefully received by the members. As a result, members said they felt more aware of our - youth - presence and purpose and happy to support in any way possible. For me, I was able to deepen understanding of Religions for Peace Europe and its network with some of the most inspiring religious leaders I ve ever met. The next ECRL meeting will take place next year in Turku, Finland. 10

11 UNITED NATIONS International Youth Committee Member Contributes to the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations By Ms. Sunila Ammar March, 2016 United Nations The sixtieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 14 to 24 March Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world attended the session. I felt blessed and privileged to have had the chance to attend the CSW to represent Christian Council of Asia (CCA) and Religions for Peace as the Co-Coordinator for the International Youth Committee. It was certainly once in a life time experience. CSW 60 was a chance for me to learn about the marvelous work of member states to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and how I can be an amplifying voice in my own capacity, as the Executive Secretary for the Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice, and Youth Empowerment desk of CCA and the Deputy Coordinator for the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee, in urging to adopt gender-responsive approach to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of civil society, NGOs and faith based organization was also commendable during the session. The side events on various issues organized by UN entities, NGOs and faith based organizations were enriching and empowering. The various entities acknowledging each other s efforts, and were ready to collaborate to fulfill the agenda of Gender Equality by At the International Secretariat of Religions for Peace, I strategized with my colleagues there on how to work together, as religious youth and women of faith on advancing interfaith work that advocates for the dignity of all woman, man and child. The CSW strengthened my faith that unity is strength; when all of us work together, we will be able to transform the world into a place for all, where no one is left behind. We need to continue to urge member states, civil society and all humanity, to make full of this opportunity to end poverty and uphold the dignity of women and girls for the next generation of youth. Ms. Sunila Ammar is the Executive Secretary for the Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice, and Youth Empowerment desk of Christian Conference of Asia (CCA). CCA is a forum of continuing cooperation among the churches and national Christian bodies to provide responses to the challenges of the changing societies in Asia, as well as, to form relationships with people of other faiths. Ms. Ammar was elected in 2013 to be the Co-Deputy Coordinator for the International Youth Committee (IYC) which leads the RfP Global Interfaith Youth Network. Ms. Ammar is committed to empowering youth and women in the Christian communities by contributing in efforts to eliminate injustice, inequality, and discrimination against women and children 11

12 INTERFAITH CALENDAR JULY- OCTOBER 2016 JULY 1 Lailat al Kadr - Islam 7-9 Eid al Fitr - Islam 9 Martyrdom of the Bab- Baha i 11 St Benedict Day - Catholic Christian Obon (Ulambana) - Buddhist - Shinto 15 St. Vladimir the Great Day - Orthodox Christian 19 Asalha Puja Day - Buddhist 23 Birthday Emperor Haile Selassi - Rastafari 24 Pioneer Day- Mormon Christian 25 St. James the Great Day - Christian AUGUST 1 Lammas Christian Lughnassad - Imbolc - Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres Fast in honor of Holy Mother of Lord Jesus - Orthodox Christian 5 Ganesh Chathurthi - Hindu 6 Transfiguration of the Lord - Orthodox Christian 14 Tish a B av - Jewish 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Christian Dormition of the Theotokos - Orthodox Christian 18 Raksha Bandhan - Hindu 25 Krishna Janmashtami - Hindu 29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist - Christian SEPTEMBER 1 Ecclesiastical year begins - Orthodox Christian 6-15 Paryushana Parava - Jain 8 Nativity of Virgin Mary - Christian 10 Waqf al Arafa - Hajj Day - Islam Eid al Adha - Islam 14 Elevation of the Life Giving Cross (Holy Cross) - Christian 22 Equinox Mabon - Wicca/Pagan 29 Michael and All Angels Christian Meskel - Ethiopian Orthodox Christian OCTOBER 1-10 Navaratri - Hindu 2 Muharram - New Year * - Islam 3-4 Rosh Hashanah - Jewish 4 St Francis Day - Catholic 11 Dasara - Hindu 12 Ashura - Islam Yom Kippur - Jewish Sukkot - Jewish 18 St. Luke, Apostle & Evangelist - Christian 20 Birth of the Báb - Baha I Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth - Sikh 24 Shemini Atzeret - Jewish 25 Simchat Torah - Jewish 30 Diwali - Deepavali - Hindu - Sikh - Jain 31 All Hallows Eve Christian Reformation Day - Protestant Christian - New Year - Jain Different Faiths, Common Action. Since its founding in 1970, Religions for Peace has been guided by the vision of a world in which religious communities cooperate effectively for peace, by taking concrete common action. Religions for Peace is committed to leading efforts to advance effective multi-religious cooperation for peace on global, regional, national and local levels while ensuring that the religious communities organized on these same levels assume and exercise appropriate leadership and ownership of these efforts. Send us your news and work, and we ll include it in the next newsletter! Questions, comments, or news? Kindly Contact : Ms. Elida Jbeili Youth Program Officer Religions for Peace International 777 United Nations Plaza, 9th Fl. New York, NY (212) ejbeili@rfp.org 12