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Mothers' Union and The Abrahamic Faiths Initiative in Rome
The Abrahamic Faiths Initiative (AFI) dialogue in Rome brought together faith leaders with one overarching goal: to advance sustainable peace and mutual respect amongst faiths and around the world.
20 Jan 2020
Mothers’ Union Worldwide President, Sheran Harper unites with global faith leaders in talks to advance sustainable peace and mutual respect amongst faiths
The Abrahamic Faiths Initiative (AFI) dialogue in Rome brought together faith leaders with one overarching goal: to advance sustainable peace and mutual respect amongst faiths and around the world.
Faith leaders came together from the 14th - 16th January at Pontifical Gregorian University to discuss effective ways to cultivate and extend peace, in their neighbourhoods, countries, and around the globe. They discussed ways to build upon good practice to date; bridge gaps between efforts at grassroots and the highest levels of leadership; share knowledge and resources; and increase inclusion of women and youth.
Sheran Harper, Mothers’ Union Worldwide President said; ‘It was a deep and profoundly moving experience to sit alongside such diverse faith leaders, completely united in discussion around these outstanding issues of our time. When we can work together in all of our faiths, we have the potential to create real and lasting pathways to peace. With four million members, Mothers’ Union is already leading and delivering impact with women as change and peace makers and I look forward to continuing to bring this learning and sharing to future conversations and action.’
Participants at the event also met with Pope Francis and in their final statement they quoted his Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed in February last year with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, in the United Arab Emirates. In doing so, the AFI provided a resounding “yes” to Pope Francis and Grand Imam of al-Azhar el-Tayeb’s ‘invitation to reconciliation and fraternity among all believers, indeed among believers and non-believers.’
The AFI united 25 religious leaders and attendees included Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, president of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies; Riccardo di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome; and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and all Palestine.
Mothers’ Union Worldwide President, Sheran Harper meets Pope Francis with attending faith leaders during The Abrahamic Faiths Initiative (AFI) dialogue in Rome.
Mothers’ Union is a movement of 4 million Christians in 84 countries worldwide. Founded 144 years ago by Mary Sumner, Mothers’ Union is unique because our members work as volunteers in local communities, putting their faith into action by acts great and small, giving individuals in need a helping hand and engaging communities (of all faiths and none) to have the confidence and skills to transform their lives in a sustainable way. Thanks to donations and subscriptions, members, as volunteers, are transforming communities and the lives of families, women and men, through practical grassroots support, empowerment, and by challenging systems that perpetuate injustice at the local, national and international level.
The Abrahamic Faiths Initiative (AFI) In consultation with many religious and secular actors, the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN) organised this dialogue under the leadership of Pastor Bob Roberts, Imam Mohamed Magid, and Rabbi David Saperstein, with the support of U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Sam Brownback. The AFI dialogue participants are faith leaders representing a range of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities.
The faith leaders’ aim was to develop actions to build peace and to counter those who sow discord within the tree of Abrahamic faith traditions. They will continue to respond vigorously to those who invoke religion to justify and incite violence and bloodshed. By engaging these faith leaders and drawing upon their collective wisdom, the AFI seeks to galvanise a global constituency; model mutual respect for those of all faiths; and increase support for religious freedom, human dignity, equal justice and citizenship for all.