(Photo of Haile Gebrselassie courtesy of Prince of Asturias Foundation)
United Religions Initiative (URI) Africa Regional Coordinator Mussie Hailu announced that Ethiopian Olympian and record breaking long distance runner Haile Gebrselassie has accepted an invitation to become a Goodwill Ambassador for URI.
“I strongly support the aim and purpose of URI,” Haile said. “I also strongly believe that religions of the world should provide a powerful example in their common rejection of violence. [Religions] need to stand up to defend universal values such as a respect for life and the dignity as well as human rights of all individuals as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
Haile learned about URI from Mussie when they found themselves working together at the UN's Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union. Haile was working on behalf of the Council of Elders of Ethiopia to promote peace and reconciliation at the time. Since 2007, Haile and Mussie have been working together to promote the teachings of the Golden Rule.
“I have a very high respect and admiration to Ambassador Mussie Hailu and his commitment and practical action in promoting a cultures of peace, compassion, reconciliation, the teaching of the Golden Rule, interfaith cooperation, intercultural and interreligious constructive dialogue,” he said.
URI Executive Director Victor Kazanjian, upon hearing the news, said:
“It is with great joy that I receive the news that Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia has agreed to serve as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Religions Initiative. Haile is not only an extraordinary and much-admired global athlete whose career I have had the pleasure of following, he has been a constant voice promoting justice and reconciliation around the world, including partnering with URI's Africa Coordinator Ambassador Mussie Hailu to lift up the Golden Rule as a primary principle for creating harmony among the people's of the world. URI welcomes Haile Gebrselassie as a partner in our work and a friend in the global movement to end religiously motivated violence and create cultures of peace.”
