National Leaders: Christian, Muslim And Jew Pray for Peace Among Nations

January 10, 2009

Author: Rev. Peg Chemberlin

Source: The Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/37397179.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUdcOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

The National Council of Churches reports that on Jan. 9, “leaders of three faiths that trace their origins back to a common ancestor -- the Patriarch Abraham -- joined their hearts and pens today to form a common prayer for peace between Israel, Gaza and among all nations.

Rabbi Steve Gutow of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, and Dr. Sayeed Sayid of the Islamic Society of North America, acknowledged having "different views" as to how to end the confrontation between Israel and Gaza, said they looked "to the power that is greater than any of us can even contemplate" to ask for peace in the Middle East.”

I know each of these men. I work wit[h] Dr. Kinnamon on a weekly basis. I have met, spoken with and conversed by email with Rabbi Gutow, and last fall I was at a meeting with Dr. Sayeed Sayid and served with him on a committee for the Independent Sector. These are each thoughtful and respectful men; each deeply and thoroughly committee to his faith yet out for their faiths they see the need to be engaged with each other.

They went on to say, “the three of us come from different religions and have different views regarding how to best solve the problems faced in the confrontation between Israel and Hamas. In many arenas we have found ways to work together but not yet in this situation. We look to the power that is greater than any of us can even contemplate and ask that power to help us find peace among the nations. “The full text can be found on the NCC website.