Islam

Christianity

Judaism

On Monday, January 21st, 2002 representatives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam issued the Alexandria Declaration. The meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, was a first attempt at a reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis, organized by the International Centre at Coventry Cathedral and supported by the Community of the Cross of Nails. The meeting was based on the premise that the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians could be framed in a religious rather than a political context.

After months of work, including one on one negotiations, a Coventry Cathedral team was able to forge an agreement for a meeting of three delegations: from the Israeli Jewish Community, the Ashkenazie Chief Rabbi Lau and the Sephardi Chief Rabbi Bakshi-Doron; from the Islamic Palestinian community, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Sheik of the Al Azhara Tantawi and Ali El - Samaan; and the Christian delegation, the Greek Patriarch Iranaeus, the Latin Patriarch Michel Sabah and the Armenian Patriarch Mongoolian. For such a gathering, only two prominent Christians could have presided, the Pope or the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Pope is now too old to do such ministry and so at that weekend meeting, the Archbishop of Canterbury was the moderator.

Work will now continue by setting up a secretariat to keep the three delegations in communication. A second meeting, probably in mid-March, will convene to discuss implementation of the Declaration.

The First Alexandria Declaration
of the Religious Leaders

of the Holy Land

In the Name of God who is Almighty, Merciful and Compassionate, we, who have gathered as religious leaders from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities, pray for true peace in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and declare our commitment to ending the violence and bloodshed that denies the right to life and dignity.

According to our faith traditions, killing innocents in the name of God is a desecration of his Holy Name, and defames religion in the world. The violence in the Holy Land is an evil which must be opposed by all people of good faith. We seek to live together as neighbours, respecting the integrity of each other's historical and religious inheritance. We call upon all to oppose incitement, hatred and the misrepresentation of the other.

1. The Holy Land is Holy to all three of our faiths. Therefore, followers of the divine religions must respect its sanctity, and bloodshed must not be allowed to pollute it. The sanctity and integrity of the Holy Places must be preserved, and freedom of religious worship must be ensured for all.

2. Palestinians and Israelis must respect the divinely ordained purposes of the Creator by whose grace they live in the same land that is called Holy.

3. We call on the political leaders of both peoples to work for a just, secure and durable solution in the spirit of the words of the Almighty and the Prophets.

4. As a first step now, we call for a religiously sanctioned cease-fire, respected and observed on all sides, and for the implementation of the Mitchell and Tenet recommendations, including the lifting of restrictions and a return to negotiations.

5. We seek to help create an atmosphere where present and future generations will co-exist with mutual respect and trust in the other. We call on all to refrain from incitement and demonization, and to educate our future generations accordingly.

6. As religious leaders, we pledge ourselves to continue a joint quest for a just peace that leads to reconciliation in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, for the common good of all our peoples.

7. We announce the establishment of a permanent joint committee to carry out the recommendations of this declaration, and to engage with our respective political leadership accordingly.

Psalm 122

Laetatus sum

I was glad when they said to me,*
     "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

Now our feet are standing*
     within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city*
     that is at unity with itself;

To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,*
     the assembly of Israel, to
     praise the Name of the LORD.

For there are the thrones of judgment,*
     the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:*
     "May they prosper who love you.

Peace be within your walls*
     and quietness within your towers.

For my brethren and companions' sake,*
     I pray for your prosperity.

Because of the house of the LORD our God,*
     I will seek to do you good."

Let us pray.

O God, the Father of all,
whose Son commanded us to love our enemies:
Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge;
and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ecumenical Documents