AFSC, Faith Leaders meet with President of Iran
AFSC's work with Iran Peace Delegation
Mary Ellen McNish, AFSC General
Secretary. listens as President
Ahmadinejad respond to questions
from
religious leaders.
More than 100 religious leaders participated in an hour-long, interfaith encounter with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Church Center for the United Nations.
This September 26 meeting is the third of a series of encounters that began in the fall of 2006 when 43 U.S. religious leaders met with President Ahmadinejad on his last visit to the UN. In February of this year, 13 U.S. religious leaders visited Iran where they met with Muslim and Christian leaders, government officials, and other Iranians.
Why is AFSC doing this?
While we recognize the stake involved, we have joined with the other historic Peace Churches to create an opportunities for dialogue with Iran at a time of heightened tension when other venues have been closed. Dialogue is not a reward or validation; it is a means to begin the process of reconciliation and pave the way for future constructive relationships.
Mary Ellen meets with delegation
member in Iran.
We are encouraged by recent direct talks between the United States and Iran about the situation in Iraq. The scope of these talks needs to expand to cover the range of issues that divide the United States and Iran.
We believe that supporting a continuing dialogue between religious, secular and political leaders of our two countries can move our two nations to a more productive footing.
What about President Ahmadinejad’s various controversial statements?
The meeting’s sponsors recognize the Holocaust as historical fact and one of the great tragedies in human history. The sponsors also advocate for a peaceful and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and believe that any solution should provide peace with justice for all people. These points were raised with President Ahmadinejad and other officials at the New York meeting last fall and during the February delegation to Iran. AFSC has likewise voiced its strong disagreement with President Ahmadinejad’s views on the rights of women and LGBT people.
More on AFSC's work with Iran Peace Delegation>
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