Religious extremism and intolerance together pose one of the world's greatest threats, says Professor Abdelfattah Amor, United Nations special rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights.
Religious extremism and intolerance together pose one of the world’s greatest threats, said Professor Abdelfattah Amor, United Nations special rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights, speaking at the June 10 opening session of the World Religious Freedom Congress in Manila, Philippines. The congress, organized by the International Religious Liberty Association, continues until June 13 and has drawn some 280 participants and speakers from 33 countries to focus on new ways to promote religious tolerance and freedom.
Amor, also vice-chair of the U.N. Human Rights Committee, spoke on the theme of the congress, “Religious Freedom: A Basis for Peace and Justice.” He underlined the tragic consequences of inter-religious conflict and the vital importance of respecting freedom of belief.
One primary tool in dealing with religious discrimination is the use of education to promote tolerance and mutual respect, he said. “The struggle in religious freedom can be dealt with in education on all levels, especially at the elementary level where education begins.”
“As a result of September 11, new attitudes and legal frameworks can endanger religious freedom,” Amor concluded. “Those involved in this struggle must not let political events limit their voice—we must continue the fight for liberty and tolerance. If there is not a strong voice against this tide of religious intolerance the global situation will become much worse.”
The World Congress is taking place at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila. Other speakers include: Ambassador Robert Seiple, president, Institute for Global Engagement; Professor Alberto de la Hera, Department of Religious Affairs, Spain; and Anatoly Krasikov, Russian Academy of Sciences, University of Moscow, as well as local dignitaries. Other religious freedom experts from the Philippines, Mexico, Russia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Trinidad, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, Korea, the United States and other countries are also participating.
The IRLA, founded in 1893 by Adventist Church leaders, is a non-sectarian organization dedicated to safeguarding religious civil rights around the world. It works in cooperation with governments, the U.N. Commission for Human Rights, and other non-governmental organizations in organizing world conferences and symposiums on matters related to freedom of conscience, religion and belief.
Other news from the IRLA World Congress:
* Religious Freedom Linked with Global Security
Religious freedom is the missing dimension of global security, according to Robert Seiple, the first United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Speaking June 11 at the IRLA World Congress in Manila, Seiple said that “religious freedom, tolerance, respect for human rights and the dignity of all people are just as much a security force as a tank, a rifle, or a soldier.”
Speaking of the terrorist attacks on the United States, Seiple said “Osama bin Laden does not understand his faith at its deepest and richest best, and just as clearly, he has absolutely no respect for the faith of others. On September 11th, we saw the ultimate perversion of religion. A misunderstood faith, an inappropriately applied faith, a truncated or redacted faith—in the hands of a zealot—is very scary indeed. Our global security is put at risk.”
Seiple concluded that: “We neglect this issue of religious freedom in the context of national and global security at our considerable peril.”
* National Leaders Send Messages of Support
Messages of support from Philippine government leaders have endorsed the IRLA World Congress currently underway in Manila. Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo commended the IRLA “for its continuing efforts to promote and defend the principles of religious freedom,” adding that “mutual respect and understanding should be the common goal of every religious group.”
President of the Philippine Senate Franklin M. Drilon said the gathering “offers the most opportune time for the delegates from the country and around the world—representatives of different religious affiliations and foreign heads of states and religious leaders—to reflect on the world’s most prevalent issues.” Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose de Venecia also sent a message of congratulations and support to participants at the congress.
