|
Dear friends,
Greetings from Baghdad.
The days since our Copenhagen Summit have been active and encouraging.
As you know, we called together our High Council of Religious Leaders in Iraq (HCRLI) for a crisis summit in response to sectarian violence facing Iraq's Christians.
We have lost many friends in the violence and witnessed an exodus of Iraq's Christian community.
Attending the Summit were some of Iraq's most influential Sunni, Shia and Christian leaders.
Discussions were intense, the debate long and hard. But the result was a declaration and a Fatwa calling for peace between religious factions.
The leaders were united in their regret and concern at attacks on Christians, and their call for the protection of religious minorities. You can read the High Council's full Declaration on our website: www.frrme.org
The work continues
The hard work is not over, of course. Even now, we are working hard on the implementation of the Declaration. Please do pray for this process.
The last few days have been greatly productive. Yesterday I met with the British and Danish Ambassadors, and they could not have been more supportive. They are so pleased with the outcome of the meeting, the Fatwa and final Declaration.
They see the huge importance of the Summits, and expressed the desire to support the process in future. They wish to ensure the meetings continue. Our friends in the USA also wish to support the programme through the State Department.
For two years, we lacked the resources to hold such a Summit as last week's. It was terrible that we had no funds to keep such a vital process going.
The right timing
But our Lord in His mercy has found a way for our work to continue.
Perhaps it was meant to stop for a while. All things do indeed work together for good. We may not think so, or like it, but in G-d's own time, we will understand.
Now, we have a huge task before us.
But when our Lord asks us to do something, he provides the tools which enable us to do it, and do it valiantly.
I would like to reiterate my deep thanks to you for your wonderful support over these past weeks. It has meant a great deal to our staff and of course, to myself.
Thank you.
With Peace and Blessings,
Andrew
Canon Andrew White
| 
