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The reality of Jerusalem and the Holy Land has taught us deep
respect for the three Monotheistic religions so that we strive to
live together in tolerance and mutual acceptance.
Despite any differences of doctrine or teachings there is a red
line which we all agree can not be crossed. We all respect the
Jewish, Muslim and Christian Holy Scriptures and Holy Places.
For us this fundamental principle of mutual respect for that
which each religion holds sacred is inviolable. No person or
group can be permitted to trivialize, destroy or besmirch these
sacred things.
We are distressed and alarmed by the shocking allegations that in
the U.S. Military Base at Guantanamo Bay and now here in Meggido
and Nafhah prisons irresponsible persons have desecrated the Holy
Koran.
We as a Palestinian Christians and our ELCJHL church, firmly
denounce all such acts of desecration and violation of sacred
scripture. The fact that sacred books are abused or desecrated in
order to torture, pressure, humiliate or demoralize prisoners is
an abomination. The dignity and human rights of all prisoners
must be ensured according to the rule of law, human rights and
the standards of justice according to Geneva Conventions. In
equal measure the dignity and sacredness of the Holy Scriptures
must be defended and preserved.
No one has the right to desecrate the sacred writings of any
religion for any purpose. We therefore demand that the
responsible authorities take the strongest measures possible to
investigate these allegations and hold those responsible for any
such violation of sacred trust accountable. In so doing they must
redouble all efforts to prevent and eliminate religious abuse.
We are equally alarmed by recent cynical attempts to incite
conflict by repeated threats to harm and attempts invade the
precincts of the Al Aqsa mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem –the
third most Holy Site for Muslims. Jerusalem must be maintained as
a city shared by three religions and two peoples. As Palestinian
Christians we stand to defend the sanctity of Al Aqsa for the
Muslims and the Holy Sites for the Jews as well as to defend
Christian Holy Sites for our faithful.
Authorities and Government officials must ensure that no one uses
Holy Books, Holy Writings or Holy places to transform a political
conflict into a religious conflict. As religious leaders we will
not accept or tolerate such unholy manipulation, not in Israel,
not in Palestine and not anywhere else in the world!
We are calling on the local and international community to
vigorously oppose and stop the use of religion for hidden
political agendas or aims.
We wish to make known to the whole world that Jerusalem shows
that religious co-existence is possible, even in situations of
political conflict. It is possible for the three Monotheistic
religions to mutually respect the believers and Holy Places of
each religion. We have a sacred obligation and divine call to
work together to protect all Holy Places so that the Status Quo
of the Holy Places remains intact and religious co-existence is
upheld.
Our daily lives together in the Holy Land has taught us to defend
and respect the Koran, the Torah and the Bible not to desecrate
or diminish that which is Holy to our neighbors, our brothers and
sisters of other faiths.
To desecrate the Holy Place or Holy Book of one is a desecration
for all. To violate any Holy Place is an assault on all people of
Faith. To insult the teaching of any is scorn the teachings of
all three Monotheistic religions!
We pray to the Almighty God and call upon all adherents of
religions, people of conscience, politicians, educators and
people responsible in civil societies, that religious
co-existence based on mutual respect and tolerance may continue
in this Holy Land as a paradigm for the whole world.
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