Skip to main content

Honouring the Peacemakers and Rejecting Hate in a Time of Grief

23 March 2017

The KAICIID Board of Directors, consisting of representatives of five religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism - issued today the following statement following the attack at Westminster in London, United Kingdom, on 22 March 2017:

Together we extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and to those who suffered injury in the cruel and contemptible attack at Westminster. We join all peace-loving people in declaring this act to be reprehensible, indefensible and antithetical to any religious belief or conviction. In this moment of shock we also thank those who have demonstrated bravery, kindness, empathy and care for others, especially to those who have paid the highest price for their commitment to protect our humanity. It is in the nature of these criminal acts to attack also our solidarity and shared compassion. We commend all those who reject hate and honour those who make peace in times of adversity and grief.

About the Board of Directors

KAICIID is an intergovernmental organization mandated to promote dialogue among different religious and cultural groups to promote justice, peace and reconciliation and to counteract the abuse of religion to justify violence. The Centre is governed by a multi-religious Board of Directors, consisting of representatives of five religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

They are, in alphabetical order: Swami Agnivesh, Dr. Hamad Al-Majed, His Excellency Bishop Miguel Ayuso, His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, Dr. Sayyed Ataollah Mohajerani, Reverend Kosho Niwano, Reverend Mark Poulson, Chief Rabbi David Rosen and Dr. Mohammad Sammak.