Geneva, Switzerland, 15 August 2006 - As a multi-faith group of leaders aiming to bring about peace, respect and mutual understanding through West-Islam dialogue, we are profoundly troubled by the recent conflict in the Middle East. The Council of 100 is a key group of leaders from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities, organized with the World Economic Forum and made up of public figures, scholars, media, business and religious global leaders.
We collectively call on all sides to seek peace and reconciliation and as a multi-faith organization we would like to make the following statement and commitment to pursuing that aim.
Statement on behalf of the C-100
1. The present conflict in the Middle East is one of the deepest gravity and danger, not only for the region but also for the entire world if the cycle of bombings, kidnappings and other acts of violence continues. It is essential to stop the violence.
2. We express our deepest sorrow and sympathy to all those whose lives have been shattered by the recent terrible events and acts of violence. We share the grief for the loss of life and offer our prayers for all those affected and those who have been wrongly displaced.
3. We recognize that no single side has a monopoly of justice and right but all of us share the same human needs for security and we all long for peace and prosperity. The escalating threat to innocent civilians, and children especially, should move us all to act and end the present suffering. Our common morality demands nothing less than a cessation of all violence and hostilities. We call upon all involved to reject violence of any kind as a means of resolving disputes.
4. We urge the international community, together with the United Nations and global civil society, to unite by seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict and to undertake the re-building of all those areas affected by the violence and destruction.
5. We are conscious that all too often religion is tragically exploited for partisan purposes and even to justify acts that go against the most foundational teachings of the respective religions themselves. We condemn such abuse of religion, but point out that this precisely highlights the pressing need to ensure that religion is engaged constructively to help end conflict and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
6. The C-100, as a multi-faith community committed to advancing dialogue between Islam and the West, stands ready to work with all those who can contribute to the path of peace-making and reconstruction that lies ahead. We recognize that the religious leaders in particular must play a central and pivotal role. The religious voice is an essential one, in this region especially, and it must take its due place if real peace is to be secured. For our part, as a multistakeholder community of religious, business, civil society and media leaders, we remain committed to the task of promoting reconciliation and peace in the Middle East.
Signed by
The Rt Hon. and Rt Revd. Lord Carey of Clifton
H.R.H. Princess Lolwah Al Faisal
Co-Chairs of the C-100
