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


BACK TO TOP

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


BACK TO TOP

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


BACK TO TOP

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


BACK TO TOP

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


BACK TO TOP

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


BACK TO TOP

Join this conversation!  Please email us:
dialogue@peacebuilderscommunity.org