Religious Leaders Call For Unity and Friendship

Sixty of the world most prominent religious leaders have issued a greeting for the end of the Muslim holy month and celebrations of Eid el-Fitr, calling for unity and friendship with membership of other religions. Signed by the Dalia Lama, the Archbishop of Canterbury and former British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks among others, the statement published by the Elijah Interfaith Institute says: As the Muslim community finishes celebrating the month of Ramadan and prepares for the feast of Eid el Fitr, we wish to send a message of friendship and unity across religions. We recall with great appreciation the recent appeal to make friends that many of us had the honor to be a part of. A message of friendship across religions is our sincere wish to one and all, Muslims and non-Muslims, and we are happy to recall this message on the occasion of the end of Ramadan and the celebration of the Eid. Friendship and unity are our vision for humanity and as religious leaders we pray that our followers, followers of other religions and even those who do not follow any religion at all, will all help disseminate this spirit of friendship and unity. We are aware of the fact that leaders of different faiths are sending this message out at the same time. At this time in humanity’s history, when divisions seem to grow ever wider, this message of unity is our sincere wish and fervent hope for the wellbeing of all. The leaders’ message recalls the just released call for friendship across religions in which they, as well as Pope Francis, Israeli Chief Rabbi David Lau and the Grand Mufti of Egypt, took part.