OUR APPEAL FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF THE NIGERIAN GIRLS

29 May 2014

As women of the URI, we are deeply concerned by the continued refusal to allow the Nigerian school girls to return to their homes and loved ones. We are also aware of how their rights have been violated and instead used as a score to settle political interests. As mothers and sisters, our hearts are breaking to hear of the suffering of our innocent daughters in this entire ordeal. 

We ask all religious, political, and community leaders and all those in positions of power as well as the grassroots to make all possible mechanisms to ensure that the girls re-unite with their families peacefully. We are fully aware that each faith treasures peace and love as their inner most value and that these true spiritual values can be invoked in this situation. 

We therefore, ask everyone from the different religious backgrounds, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions to join us every Thursday of the week at 12 noon wherever you are to pray for the safe return of the Nigerian schoolgirls to their homes and families. We further ask you to continue this prayer every Thursday at 12 noon until the girls are safely home. 

May peace prevail in Nigeria, May peace prevail on earth. 

1. Kiran Bali – Huddersfield, United Kingdom 
2. Audri Scot - Atlanta – Georgia USA 
3. Elana Erosenman - Jerusalem, sreal 
4. Kate Kiama – Nairobi, Kenya 
5. Heidi Rautionmaa – Helsink Finland 
6. Maria Eugenia Crespo – Buenos Aires, Argentina 
7. Sande Hart - San Francisco California USA 
8. Rattan Chana – Nairobi, Kenya 
9. Qutub Kidwai – Mumbai, India 
10. Despina Namwembe – Kampala, Uganda 
11. Nyambura Mundia – Nairobi, Kenya 
12. Monica Willard – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania USA.  
13. Marianne Horling – Bonn, Germany 
14. Nageeba Hassan – Kampala, Uganda 
15. Sally Mahe – San Francisco California, USA 
16. Isabelle, Nizeyimana – Kigali, Rwanda 
17. Rebbeca Tobias - Vancouver, Canada 
18. Misenga Lilly - Bukavu DRC 
19. Jane Alex Legu - Juba, South Sudan 
20. Krithika Harish - California, USA 
21. Karimah Stauch – Bonn, Germany 
22. Hawa Noor - Nairobi, Kenya. 
23. Shabnam Olinga- Kampala, Uganda 
24. Sarah Talcot Blair – San Francisco California, USA. 
25. Joy Kemirembe – Kampala, Uganda 

The purpose of the URI is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create a culture of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.