Our Abrahamic Forum was originally founded in 1995 in recognition of the growing impact of Islam in the western world, the essential need for dialogue, tolerance and respect and for overcoming fears and prejudices. Today, 16 years later, the need for this dialogue is even greater and more essential. Facing this challenge, the ICCJ recently appointed nine members representing the three monotheistic faith traditions to serve as the steering committee of its International Abrahamic Forum.
At a meeting held in Berlin last year a group of experts and activists convened by the ICCJ formulated the preamble and charter for the Abrahamic forum which reads:
We children of Abraham – Jews, Christians and Muslims – acknowledging past and present injustices against one another, commit ourselves to build mutual trust, dignity and respect in the spirit of our common father Abraham.
Aware of our distinct rootedness and narratives, we, nevertheless, recognise the common legacy which we all share. We are committed to living by its values and to disseminate them for the benefit of all humankind.
These values include: a universal thinking, an ethos of brotherliness and sisterliness, a practice of hospitality, commitment to an open process of mutual learning and respect, to justice and righteousness and to fight against all forms of Idolatry, including the idolization of our own religion.
In favour of a new interreligious praxis of communication, we shall strive to inject the creative concepts of moderation and inclusivity into the framework of the dynamic interreligious dialogue that is already taking place under the auspices of the ICCJ. Our religious convictions are the basis for our desire to carry out this sacred work. Religiously inspired, we shall dedicate ourselves to overcome violent attitudes and totalitarian claims in our respective faith communities and to promote dialogue, understanding and empathy between our brothers and sisters.
No time is more appropriate to share this message of faith and hope than this blessed Eid.
EID Mubarak - kul 'am wa antum bikhair !
Rabbi Ehud Bandel,
chair of the ICCJ International Abrahamic Forum
See also:
International Abrahamic Forum