Local religious leaders seek solidarity

Beifield

When fighting between Israel and Palestinians inflames tensions in the Middle East, it can inflame Richmond's Middle Eastern communities as well.

That's why 38 leaders of local Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious groups have united in expressing a common vision for one another and for the Middle East -- peace.

Five rabbis, four bishops and two imams are among those who have added their names to an interfaith commitment for peace.

"This was a time that demanded for us to say something together and not be separate and not be silent, " said the Rev. Charles Swadley, immediate past chairman of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. He views the interfaith statement as "a foundation of thinking that we can continue to act upon jointly."

Although differences remain, "the relationships created among ourselves in Richmond were very important to us," said Rabbi Martin P. Beifield Jr. at Congregation Beth Ahabah. "We wanted to find some way to transcend events around us so that we weren't torn apart by them. We were trying to find common ground among ourselves."

In a global world, Richmond is not immune from global pressures, said Imad Damaj, president of the Virginia Muslim Coalition. "We don't live in a separate world," he said.

"Here we're talking about the common values we have, peace for all, dignity for all, freedom for all," he said. "We wanted to be very inclusive, no blame, no politics."

The statement's guiding principles acknowledge the long, complex and painful history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; acknowledge the wide range of deeply held beliefs and intensely felt narratives; and acknowledge that all sides are capable of assigning blame to others and asserting justification for their cause.

They observe that violence by any side begets more violence, hatred and retaliation. They deplore any invocation of religion as a justification for violence or deprivation; decry inflammatory rhetoric; and call for a political rather than military solution to the conflict.

"We know full well that there are many things we disagree about, and argue about," Beifield said. "We know each other well enough to know that.

"We are all trying as religious leaders to model a certain kind of behavior, and that behavior is being able to come together, without pretending we are something we are not, to express something that we feel deeply about, meaning a desire for peace. We're not looking for uniformity. We're looking for solidarity with one another."

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .