A CALL TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO RELIGIOUS

January 13, 2009
We, the Chicago Coalition for Interreligious Learning: Catholics/Jews/Muslims Working Together, recognize that we live in perilous times. Wherever we turn, we see suffering, hatred, and the death of innocent people. We feel the anguish, grief,pain, anger and frustration within our religious communities. We, who believe that
all are created in the image of God, are deeply saddened by what is happening in our world as well as in our own country. We are especially concerned that our children are deeply affected and frightened not only by the images that they see of death, violence, devastation and the desecration of holy places of worship, but also by the voices they hear preaching hatred, violence and vengeance on a daily basis.

We abhor and condemn all acts of hatred against any religious and cultural community. We are committed to our common effort to tirelessly work toward ending violence, and to working together to strengthen the relationships we have among our religious communities.

Coalition members have worked for almost 6 years to promote interreligious teaching, learning and understanding among educators at all levels in our religious schools. We believe this is an essential step in creating a better future not only for our children, but for all who live in the Chicago area. Now more than ever, we believe in the critical importance of interfaith understanding as an authentic interpretation of religious ideals and we will and must continue to speak out in our
own communities and throughout the Chicago area.

We urge all Christians, Jews, Muslims and all people of good faith to join us in our interreligious efforts by reinforcing the Golden Rule at all places and at all times.

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is
the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

“Not one of you will be a true believer who does not wish
for his brother the same that he wishes for himself.” Hadith Al-Bukhari 2:6

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Leviticus 19:18

Now, more than ever, we can, we will, we must keep working together to further our goals of teaching children and adults how to respect and value people of all religious faiths; how to listen to people of all faiths; how to build relationships of trust and understanding; and how to continue working together, despite difficult times and in
difficult situations, to make this a better world for all of us.

On behalf of the CCIRL, the Catholic/Jewish/Muslim coalition:
Ms. Esther Hicks; Rabbi Daniel Sherbill; Dr. Tasneema Ghazi; Ms. Esta G. Star, Chair