We live in times of remarkable upheaval and URI is in the midst of it.
URI leaders were in Tahrir Square in Cairo during the extraordinary 18 days that opened the door to a new future for the people of Egypt.
In Uganda, URI activists, led by our Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, Despina Namwembe, played an important role in helping to produce peaceful elections in that country.
In India, Global Council Trustee Swami Agnivesh has been instrumental in mediating between the national government and Maoist separatists and in obtaining the release of 18 policemen who had been held hostage.
Locally, leaders of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, which is a URI Cooperation Circle, are working with Bay Area Muslim leaders to urge religious leaders of all faiths to observe the 10th anniversary of September 11th by preaching about the dangers of extremism and the importance of interfaith cooperation.
In Pakistan, a letter of condolence and solidarity from the Global URI was hand-delivered to the mother and brother of assassinated Pakistani Minister for Minority Rights, Shahbaz Bhatti, who was a dear friend and colleague of URI Pakistan’s Coordinator, Fr. James Channan and Global Council Trustee Maulana Khabir Azad, who leads one of the world’s largest mosques. Fr. Channan said that in a time of trauma and fear URI leaders in Pakistan are committed to kindling lights of hope through work for interfaith harmony and peace.
These are the Circles of Light kindled each day through by 507 Cooperation Circles working in 78 countries to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
