Signing of Historical Agreement
between Religious Leaders in the Middle East
The First Alexandria Declaration of the Religious Leaders of the Holy Land
A transcript of the agreement
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The International Department of Coventry Cathedral and Diocese has been strategic in facilitating a historic declaration between Israeli and Palestinian Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders signed yesterday. It became apparent whilst working in the region on projects connected with the reconciliation work of Coventry Cathedral that as religion was a major cause of the conflict it may also be the cure.
For the past three months Canon Andrew White the Departments International Director has been working in the region as a special envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury seconded by the Bishop of Coventry. He has organised a whole series of meetings with political and religious leaders there.
Sensitive negotiations resulted in a delegation which included some of the most senior Palestinian Sheikhs including the Minister of State Sheikh Tal El Sider. Among the Jewish delegation were the Sephardi Chief Rabbi Bakshi-Doron and Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Rabbi Michael Melchior.
The summit was chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The commitment shown by the Archbishop was "quite phenomenal" said Canon Andrew White, and he immediately managed to obtain the confidence of all participants. The co-host was His Eminence Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawy.
This is the first time in history that there has been a gathering of these leaders and a joint declaration signed by all parties. The declaration calls for a religiously sanctioned cease-fire, an end to the demonization of traditional enemies and for a new start to political negotiations.
A permanent committee has been established to carry this process forward and Canon Andrew White will play a significant part in this. The Archbishop of Canterbury will continue to be directly involved. Canon White who returns to Coventry tomorrow will be back in the region early next month to continue working on the process.
This declaration has been greeted in Israel and Palestine as an unprecedented major historical event. The British Ambassador to Israel His Excellency Sherard Cowper-Coles stated that Coventry's key role in negotiating this deal will go down in history as being a major breakthrough in the history of the middle east conflict.
Canon Andrew White said "The intensity and complexity of these negotiations at times almost drove us to despair, it was like battling at the gates of hell. Following many sleepless nights and non-stop negotiations, running backwards and forwards between various parties we had the full support of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Yassar Arafat. Today we met with President Mubarrak of Egypt who has also been very supportive throughout the process. Our challenge now is to enable the declaration to become a reality."
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In the name of God who is Almighty, Merciful and Compassionate, we, who have gathered as religious leaders from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities, pray for true peace in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and declare our commitment to ending the violence and bloodshed that denies the right to life and dignity.
According to our faith traditions, killing innocents in the name of God is a desecration of his Holy Name, and defames religion in the world. The violence in the Holy Land is an evil which must be opposed by all people of good faith. We seek to live together as neighbours, respecting the integrity of each other's historical and religious inheritance. We call upon all to oppose incitement, hatred and the misrepresentation of the other.
The Holy Land is Holy to all three of our faiths. Therefore, followers of the divine religions must respect its sanctity, and bloodshed must not be allowed to pollute it. The sanctity and integrity of the Holy Places must be preserved, and freedom of religious worship must be ensured for all.
Palestinians and Israelis must respect the divinely ordained purposes of the Creator by whose grace they live in the same land that is called Holy.
We call on the political leaders of both partied to work for a just, secure and durable solution in the spirit of the words of the Almighty and the Prophets.
As a first step now, we call for a religiously sanctioned cease-fire, respected and observed on all sides, and for the implementation of the Mitchell and Tenet recommendations, including the lifting of restrictions and a return to negotiations.
We seek to help create and atmosphere where present and future generations will co-exist with mutual respect and trust in the other. We call on all to refrain from incitement and demonization, and to educate our future generations accordingly.
As religious leaders, we pledge ourselves to continue a joint quest for a just peace that leads to reconciliation in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, for the common good of all our peoples.
We announce the establishment of a permanent joint committee to carry out the recommendations of this declaration, and to engage with our respective political leadership accordingly.
Delegates
His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey
His Eminence Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawy
The Sephardi Chief Rabbi Bakshi-Doron
The Deputy Foreign Minister, Rabbi Michael Melchior
The Rabbi of Tekoa, Rabbi Menachem Froman
Rabbi David Rosen, President of the WCRP
The Rabbi of Savyon, Rabbi David Brodman
Rabbi Yitzak Ralbag, Rabbi of Maalot Dafna
Chief Justice of the Sharia Courts, Sheikh Taisir Tamimi
Minister of State for the PA, Sheikh Tal El Sider
Mufti of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Abdulsalam Abu Schkedem
The Mufti of Bethlehem, Sheikh Taweel
Representative of the Greek Patriarch, Archbishop Aristichos
The Latin Patriarch, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah
The Melkite Archbishop, Archbishop Boutrous Mu'alem
Representative of the Armenian Patriarch, Archbishop Chinchinian
The Bishop of Jerusalem, The Right Reverend Riah Abu El Assal
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