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MCC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PREPARED STATEMENT TO PRESIDENT MAHMOUD
AHMADINEJAD OF IRAN
During
the Iranian President's meeting with a group of religious
leaders in the United States, September 22, 2006
We, at Peacebuilders Community, agree with the prepared
statement of Robb Davis, Executive Director of the Mennonite
Central Committee, during his participation in a meeting between
American religious leaders and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of
Iran:
BismillahIR rahmanIR, rahiim.
In the name of God the merciful, the One who shows mercy, we
welcome you here.
My name is Robb Davis and I am the Executive Director of the
Mennonite Central Committee.
We were invited to organize this gathering between you
and representatives of the three Abrahamic faiths.
Most of us here today are of the Christian faith
representing Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Mainline Protestant
(Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian) as well as Evangelical
churches. We are
joined by brothers of the Islamic and Jewish faiths as well.
Mr. President, we value the opportunity to have this
conversation with you today.
We believe that people of faith must come together to
mend the breeches that exist and seem to continue to grow
between nations and faith communities in this time.
This is why we are here—to talk, to raise difficult
questions and to begin to build relationships that will lead to
honest and open exchange to confront the very real divisions
that tragically lead to animosity, hatred and the shedding of
blood.
We do not believe that this is God’s will.
I speak now as a follower of Jesus and these remarks grow out of
my understanding of that faith tradition.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
This is what we aspire to be.
Further, our book, the Holy Bible tells us that as followers of
Jesus we are aliens and strangers on earth.
Though we live in this country our identity is as aliens
in this land—our allegiance is to Jesus.
But we are not just aliens, for the Christian Holy Scriptures
also tell us that we are Ambassadors of Jesus—calling men and
women to be reconciled to God and, by extension, to each other.
These identities tell us that we must come together to call all
humans to be reconciled with God.
Mr. President, Jesus also told us to confess our failures to one
another. I stand
before you to confess that too often I have traded my allegiance
to God for the comforts and protection of other
things—technology, possessions and yes, even the might of
military power. I
confess to you and to God this idolatry of pledging allegiance
to earthly things and ask God to strengthen me to become more
fully who I am to be—an Ambassador of peace and
reconciliation.
Though I speak as a Christian, I know my Jewish and Muslim
brothers must also wrestle with what it means in this day and
age to be servants of the Most High.
May God give us strength to become what God meant us to
be.
Mr. President, we invite you to share what you have on your
heart to say to us. We
will follow your comments with some questions for which we would
value hearing your response.
1. In both our
countries, religion has the potential to support militant and
nationalistic purposes. We
regret that. In our
country, leaders have aimed to co-opt religion to vilify enemies
of the
US
.
The American President has included
Iran
in what he
describes as an "Axis of Evil."
We resist doing this, since we believe strongly that
God's will is for us to seek peace, and Jesus instructed us to
"love our enemies."
From
Iran
we hear slogans
like "Death to
Israel
" or
"Death to
America
", or language
that seems to call for the destruction of an entire people
group. How can
religious people in both our countries speak out against
militant nationalistic efforts or violent language?
2. Most of us in the
West hold closely to the value of religion being separate from
governmental control or influence.
Minority religious expression is a high value.
How do you understand this value?
3. Do you have ideas
to share with us on how the religious communities in both our
countries can cooperate in a time of tension?
Are there programs or activities that you feel religious
leaders should be
pursuing at this point in history?
[READ
THE MCC REPORT OF THE MEETING AND HOW PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD
RESPONDED TO THESE QUESTIONS]
Mr. President, let me thank you for this time from the depth of
all our hearts.
May we be so bold as to suggest that we plan to meet again very
soon—the next time in
Tehran
?
We would like to propose that a smaller group from among
us plan to visit the Islamic
Republic
of
Iran
to deepen these
conversations within the next 6-8 months.
May you and your family enjoy a blessed Ramadan and may God’s
spirit enlighten you in this time of fasting and prayer.
Here are some publications that we hope you will find
challenging and encouraging as you consider the role of people
of faith in peacebuilding.
Posted on
September 25, 2006
at 1104
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ABOUT THE HOSTILITIES IN
LEBANON
How does your community feel about the escalating
hostilities in
Lebanon
?
I visited a Bangsamoro leader in
Cotabato
City
a week ago. We talked about the war in
Lebanon
.
He asked me: "So, what's your communities' position about
the Israeli aggression against the Hezbollah Party in
Lebanon
?"
I showed him a copy of a document I received from the Mennonite
Church Canada, our wider community.
Robert J. Suderman, our General Secretary, issued a
statement addressed to the Prime Minister of Canada last
July 27, 2006.
I told my Bangsamoro friend I concur with what our General
Secretary wrote to the Canadian Prime Minister.
Here are the major points Dr. Robert Suderman expressed to the
Prime Minister of Canada that resonate in my own heart and mind:
:: "As a church
of the historic and well respected Peace-Church tradition,
Mennonite Church Canada is deeply concerned about the escalation
of violence that we have recently witnessed in Lebanon, Israel
and Gaza. We are distressed to see the actions of combatants on
all sides of this conflict that have already destroyed many
lives, including civilian families, and permanently marred
livelihoods, homes, and vital infrastructure of the nations. We
believe that, especially in such difficult international
conflicts, God calls us all to nurture a new imagination that
reflects the peace-making model of Jesus Christ and therefore
contemplates the possibilities of surprises that only God can
bring about. We are called to seek responses to conflict that do
not involve violent initiatives, violent retaliation strategies,
revenge, or all-out warfare."
:: "Mennonite
Church Canada currently has workers in Israel who work at
building bridges of understanding between Jewish and Christian
and Muslim peoples of that region. As a
Peace
Church
,
our work in
Israel
involves peace-building that crosses both religious and political
boundaries. "
:: "Our
concern, however, goes beyond the immediate crisis in the
Middle
East
. We are concerned about
what appears to be a multi-faceted and intentional escalation of
public advocacy, decisions, and actions that foster the
increasing militarization of the Canadian mind, psyche, soul,
and imagination. We have noted advocacy coming from you and your
office that closely resembles the logic of military solutions so
evident in the Bush administration in the
USA
...
These are all symptoms of a desperate need for a new imagination
in addressing the evils of our world based on other than
military paradigms. As a fellow Christian, we know we can appeal
to you from this framework and exhort you to find strategies
that are more in keeping with that which is so foundational to
our common faith."
:: "It is in
this spirit of peacemaking that we call on you, Mr. Prime
Minister, to use your influence to issue statements that favour
peaceful solutions, and call on all sides to observe an
immediate cease-fire in the Middle East."
:: "The
insistence on diplomatic solutions, rather than military
accomplishments, is of vital importance to the lives of
many in Lebanon, Gaza, and Israel. We ask that you
avoid aggravating tensions further and that you do not
advocate the justification of the violence and war or signal
that
Canada
indeed might support or favor the escalation of war."
:: "We are
thankful for
Canada
's
history as a peace-building nation. As a Peace Church, we are
committed to voicing our concerns for peace and justice in the
world."
:: "On behalf
of Mennonite Church Canada, I urge you and your government to
act quickly to promote the ways of diplomacy and peace within
this current crisis, and to open all of us to the possibilities
of surprise by humanity and by God’s activity in the
world."
I requested my Bangsamoro friend to let our friends in
Mindanao
know that the above
statements express how Peacebuilders Community feels
about the escalating hostilities in
Lebanon
. I also shared how I feel about my fellow Filipinos who have lost
their jobs in
Lebanon
and who are suffering--emotionally, financially, socially--due to this
armed conflict.
My friend gave me his blessings even as I asked his advise on
how I should proceed regarding a peacebuilding project in a
community where his organization works.
Posted on
July 30, 2006
at 1544
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INTER-FAITH TRUST AND UNDERSTANDING
Are you here to eventually convert us through your
peace and development activities?
A team of Mennonite pastors and peacebuilders
travelled across
Mindanao
last year. They met with ulamas, ustadzes, datus, graduate
students, professors, NGO executives, and other leaders in
Muslim Mindanao. The intention was to establish a
transparent dialogue between Muslims and Christians and to build
bridges of trust and understanding. Dr. David Shenk, a
Mennonite scholar who has been in dialogue with religious
leaders in
Iran
and other Islamic leaders in the
Middle East
, was leading us.
We visited the town of
Sultan
Kudarat
, Maguindanao and there
we were received by a senior community leader, his son, and
other young Bangsamoro professionals. They gave us a brief
on the Bangsamoro perspective of Philippine History.
Afterwards, we had a dialogue. Polite questions were
answered politely.
Then a young Bangsamoro youth leader whispered to me: "Kuya
Dan, I would really need to ask a question that I've been
wanting to ask a Western Christian, but I'm afraid I might
offend them."
I whispered back: "Ask them. Just be honest with your
question. It's okay. Go for it."
He asked Dr. Shenk: "You know, every time I see white
people in
Mindanao
, I immediately think of
Christian religious imperialism and Western military
expansionism. It has
been our historical experience.
Tell me, are you here to eventually convert us through
your peace and development activities?"
David Shenk answered: “We do our peace and development
activities sincerely in the name of Jesus Christ.
We do not come with the Bible on one hand and a sword on
the other hand. We
come in humility as Jesus is humble.
We come with the Cross, not as a symbol of violence—as
in the Crusaders—but as a symbol of suffering and peace.
We will be faithful in expressing unconditional love and
service with honesty and transparency.
But when one of you would approach us to know more about
this peace in Jesus, we would not say ‘No, go away!’
That would be religious imperialism.”
Luke Shrock-Hurst, one of the Mennonite peacebuilders, affirmed
Dr. Shenk and added: "As Americans who carry US passports,
we ask for forgiveness for the violence our nation has brought
to
Mindanao
. We apologize for
the injustices our government has committed against your
people... We are the kind of followers of Jesus who do not
believe in war... We do not agree when our nation is
regarded as a god—for that is idolatry."
The young Bangsamoro leader told us: "Thank you for honest
and straightforward answers. I sense that you really
respect us. You are welcome anytime here in our
neighborhood."
Posted on
May 20, 2006
at 1611
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ABOUT
MENNONITES
Mennonite
Church
? What are Mennonites?
I hired a passenger
van from
Marawi
City
to
Cotabato
City
in the Spring of 2005.
Along the way, I asked the driver to stop. I got off to
buy some dudul, my favorite Maguindanaon pastry. A
group of five Muslim young men, complete with white robe, surban
(prayer scarf) and kupya (a head cap) entered the van.
They thought the van was picking up more passengers. The
driver told them it was hired privately. They were about
to get off when I was getting on.
They greeted me, "Asalam Alaikum!"
I responded cheerfully: "Alaikum Asalam!"
They introduced themselves and said, "We're tableeg.
We just finished our 40 days of service. So, we're heading
back to
Cotabato
City
."
I invited them to share my van. They accepted it humbly
and said, "Alhamdulillah!" We introduced
ourselves as our van started moving.
One of them asked me, "What are you doing in
Mindanao
?"
"I'm a Christian peace worker," I said.
"A Christian peace worker?" their leader asked me.
"Yes. I attend a
Mennonite
Church
back home where I live," I
replied.
Then he asked, with sincere curiosity: "What are
Mennonites?"
"The
Mennonite
Church
," I answered, "is a
Christ-centered, biblically-based community of faith which began
in
Europe
in the 1500’s. We were
the radicals back then."
"True Muslims are radicals too," the younger one
interrupted.
"So you're a radical Christian?" another tableeg asked
me.
"You can say that," I said. "Although we
share common
core beliefs with other Christian denominations," I
continued, "we do have some distinct beliefs." I
told them that Mennonites practice adult-baptism or believers
baptism (a sign of cleansing from sin and a commitment to
following the way of Jesus Christ); that Mennonites believe in
non-violence and that followers of Jesus should live peacefully
and justly, serving God and other people in peaceful and
reconciling ways; and that, Mennonites believe in following the
example of Jesus in daily living, including loving all people
unconditionally and serving those in need."
When I finished sharing about me and my faith, they also shared
why they were called tableeg. They shared with me,
in a firm and very gentle way, why I should return to Islam, and
why I have to submit my whole being to the will of the Almighty
Allah (swt) so as to complete my faith journey.
I listened to them with an open mind and interacted with them
honestly. In that van, we laughed, we learned, we shared,
and we definitely made new friends.
We had a very inspiring and blessed dialogue during that trip.
I thought the Mennonites left the
Philippines
and
Mindanao
in 2005?
This was a question by a fellow peacebuilding worker from
another NGO while we were attending the Forum on Ancestral
Domains and Land Claims held in
Davao
City
last
17 February 2006
.
"You're right, we're a Mennonite group," I answered.
"And you're right," I continued, "the Mennonite
Central Committee or MCC, who has been here in
Mindanao
for more than 25 years, have
closed their office in 2005. We are sent here as
International Peacebuilding Partnership Workers by
Mennonite Church
Canada
. We refer to ourselves as MCCanada to avoid being confused with
MCC. MCCanada is one of the supporting Mennonite bodies of
MCC. We have the same religious principles including a
commitment to peace theology. But we're different
administrative organizations."
"So, are you going to continue what MCC used to do?"
she further asked.
I said, "No. They used to have a wide range of programs
here. We're too new and too small to continue what MCC
used to do. We have a very specific peacebuilding
program."
"Then what is your specific program?"
I explained to her the things that we have written in the DREAM
section of this site.
Posted on
April 08, 2006
at 0815
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PEACE, JUSTICE, AND NON-RESISTANCE
What's in your church's teaching that makes you so
committed to nonviolence?
A Tausug lady was curious why I brought a Canadian friend during
our hike in Bud Dahu near Jolo, Sulu last March 8, 2006.
She asked: "What's in your church's teaching that makes you
so committed to nonviolence?"
I had my laptop in my backpack so I showed her what
we believe about peace, justice, and non-resistance.
"So peacebuilding is really integrated in your Christian
belief?" she further asked.
"It's more than just being integrated," I said.
"Peace is the heart of what we call the Gospel or the Good
News." I turned to my laptop again and showed her a
paragraph that says: "The biblical concept of peace
embraces personal peace with God, peace in human relations,
peace among nations, and peace with God's creation. The Torah's
(or Old Testament's) word for peace (salam-shalom) includes
healing, reconciliation, and well-being. Peace is more than the
absence of war; it includes the restoration of right
relationship."
"Wow! So holistic!" she commented.
"It is," I replied, "that's why I'm
commemorating the Bud Dahu Massacre here in your own Lupah
Sug (Archipelago Country). As a Tagalog who has been
isolated by the colonial powers from the Tausugs and the larger
Bangsamoros, I want to experience a sense of reconciliation with
my Muslim sisters and brothers. I hiked the Bud Dahu today
to express solidarity with your people--who are now my own
people."
"Now please stop it, Dan. You're making me cry,"
she requested.
So I kept quiet.
We were both quiet for a while... and we were not bothered by
our mutual silence. In our quiet moments together, I
realized that I am a Christian brother who found a Muslim
sister, and I felt in my heart that a Muslim sister may have
forgiven a Christian brother.
She said she would talk with the ustadz in her town about the
Islamic teachings on peace, justice and non-resistance and she
promised to share with me what the Qur'an says about these
topics.
Posted on
March 10, 2006
at 2054
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THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S WAR AGAINST
IRAQ
What do you think about the Bush Administration's attack against our
Iraqi brothers and sisters?
It was Eid'l Adha in 2005 when I was invited by a respected Datu
to have lunch in his home. Right after the guest ustadz
led us in a thanksgiving prayer, the Datu asked me: "So,
what do you think about the Bush Administration's attack against
our Iraqi brothers and sisters?"
"I strongly believe that it is wrong and unjust, Sir,"
I respectfully replied.
"And why would you say that? You're a Christian like
Bush, right?" he further probed.
"No Sir, my belief about Jesus is not like that of George
W. Bush," I respectfully answered. "First of
all, I do not believe Jesus would have justified any violence
against another human being; I believe Jesus is the Prince of
Peace. I appreciate the fact
that George W. Bush really tries to integrate his Christian
conviction with his politics. For sure, he
equates his Right Wing Conservative politics with the teachings
of Jesus. For many Christians like Bush, this is a
sign of religious faithfulness. I'm not faithful in that
sense, Sir. I'd rather not wrap the teachings of Jesus
with the American flag. I would not also accept American
Imperialism even if they deliver it to me with a Jesus
label. Secondly,
from the point of view of the larger community of nations, which
is represented by the UN, it is wrong to attack a nation without
provocation. Thirdly, the reason cited by the
US
--the
so-called weapons of mass destruction--is deemed invalid by
independent investigators."
After I shared this global perspective, he made an instant
announcement before his friends and relatives present in his
living room: "Listen everybody! This is Daniel
Pantoja. He is a friend of the Bangsamoro!"
I felt embraced by their family and by the people present there.
Posted on January, 2006 at 1904
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