Advocates outside the Myanmar embassy, Manila, Philippines. Photo by Reuters.I am very impressed by the brave approach of the Buddhist monks in Myanmar/Burma. The peaceful protest complies with our Christian understandings of public responsibility. We are pleading all, who have the power to exert influence, to take necessary steps towards a peaceful change.
—Bishop Bärbel Wartenberg-Potter, Nordelbische Evangelisch-Luterische Kirche, and member of the Religions for Peace World Council [Translated from German.]

Best greetings from Beirut. Please note that during a one-hour televised interview with me and with the British Ambassador in Lebanon on the A.N.B., I talked about the moral, religious, and humanitarian reasons that oblige all Muslims to back the peaceful move of the Monks in Myanmar. The interview will be broadcast Thursday evening, 4 October, and Friday noon, 5 October. The main topic was about Muslims in Europe.
—Dr. Mohammad Sammak, Secretary General, Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, Beirut, Lebanon, and member of the Religions for Peace World Council

A statement was issued to the embassy of Myanmar in London on 26 September 2007: “The Buddhist monks of Myanmar are demonstrating the power of religious communities as a force for peace. I, together with the world’s religious communities of all faiths, stand with the Buddhist monks of Myanmar in their peaceful protest.”
—The Archbishop and primate of the Church of Sweden, Most Rev. Anders Wejryd [See below for a link to the entire statement.]

Thank you very much for this initiative. On Thursday (27 September 2007) I wrote on behalf of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches to our three member churches in Myanmar, assuring them of our accompaniment. We will also be writing to the Secretary General of the United Nations. Thanks for your leadership.
—Rev. Dr. Setri Kobla Nyomi, General Secretary, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Geneva, Switzerland

I spoke at a rally in Oslo on 28 September 2007 that was well attended and covered by the media. In my public statement, I said, “I wish that every one of us—thousands here tonight— would in our hearts sign a pact, a sacred covenant, with the monks and the people of Burma, a pact of peace. Those whose blood has been shed these days shall not have died in vain. That is our promise.”
—H.E. Gunnar Johan Stålsett, Bishop Emeritus, Church of Norway; Moderator of the Religions for Peace European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL) [See below for a link to an additional statement issued with Rev. Vebjørn L. Horsfjord, Secretary General, ECRL.]

The Buddhist community and the people of Myanmar are standing not alone but with the spirit of a world watching. Their admirably peaceful and brave pursuit of a voice in their land has inspired not only communities of faith but a future of humanity lies in our ability to embrace peace. We are imploring the leaders, organizations and countries in the international arena to bring forth the full weight of their commitment and powers of influence to steer this unfolding history toward a peaceful resolution. We are imploring the leaders of Myanmar to act humanly toward their people; to permit the communications of their citizens; and to have the courage not to force the destruction of the voices whose ideas differ from their own.
—Ms. Rajinderjit K Singh, President, Sikh Heritage Forum and member of the Religions for Peace International Coordinating Committee of the Global Women of Faith Network [See below for a link to an attachment.]

I completely agree with your statement and we, the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) fully support your assertion. Thank you for your prompt action.
—Dr. Sunggon Kim, Secretary General, Asian Conference of Religions for Peace, Seoul, South Korea

We welcome the actions taken by the World Conference of Religions for Peace to mobilize people of all faiths world-wide, other religious bodies and individual religious leaders to use their influence for a peaceful solution of the conflict. We are moved by the popular support for the people of Burma in so many countries of the world...As religious leaders we pray for the people of Burma that they may not loose hope. And we pray for the Government that they may change their ways and turn their hearts and minds to the needs of the longsuffering people.
—The Religions for Peace European Council of Religious Leaders (To read Council's entire statement, please click here.) 

We have received the press release from Religions for Peace, and I have tried to place it in the esteemed newspaper, The Himalaya Times.
—Mrs. Indira Manandhar, President, Religions for Peace–Nepal

IRC-India peace rally, October 2007We were joined by approximately forty youth for a "Journey for Peace" on 2 October 2007 (Non-Violence day), during which we visited a variety of religious places and prayed for the people of Myanmar. At the culmination we gathered at the Gandhi Museum in India and once again offered prayers.
—Mr. Parthiban Palanisamy, Member, Religions for Peace International Youth Committee, Global Youth Network, and Youth Coordinator, Tamilnadu, India

In response to the situation in Myanmar, on 6 October 2007, approximately eighty-five members, including children, youth, and women, participated in a peace rally, walking 11 km (6.8 miles) through eight villages. The purpose was to not only create awareness among its participants but among the general public about the situation in Myanmar.
—Parthiban Palanisamy, Member, Religions for Peace International Youth Committee, Global Youth Network, and Youth Coordinator, Tamilnadu, India

Thank you for sending us the press release from Religions for Peace. I forwarded it already to our national network and to the two largest Indonesian newspapers. We are on preparing a “common prayer” for Burma here in Interfideis house/office while we will have a discussion under the human rights problem on the case of “Munir,” (the famous human rights activist from Indonesia who killed when he was on his trip to the Netherlands about three years ago). Then we will break the fasting all together. Yes, we have to be together with our brothers and sisters in Burma.
—Ms. Elga Sarapung, Secretary General, Religions for Peace–Indonesia

We would like to express our sorrow about and terrible acts against the Buddhist brothers. We are working in Cordoba in several actions. In a short period of time, you will receive our report.
—Dra. Soher El Sukaria, Secretary General, Arabic-Muslim Society of Cordoba, Argentina; member of Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee

We, the Religious Youth for Peace in Asia, appeal to the authorities in Myanmar to respect the dignity of all religious persons and youth pressing for peaceful dialogue. We express our solidarity with the many religious youth who have courageously chosen the path to peace through prayer and dialogue. We strongly condemn any use of force on civilians and urge the authorities in Myanmar to come forward without fear and choose peace through dialogue and reconciliation. We also appeal to the Myanmar authorities to release the innocent religious youth and activities immediately. We will pray everyday for the end of violence in Myanmar and for hope to return to this beautiful land. We request governments of China & India to please press upon the ruling government in Myanmar for amicable & peaceful solution to the situation. United with the Religious Youth of Myanmar who chose peace PEACE is the only way forward.
—Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, Co-Chair Communications Team, Asian Youth Inter-faith Network, Asian Committee-Religions for Peace

We join the Burmese people who have courageously come forward by marching on the streets of Rangoon and in other parts of Burma to denounce the Military Government’s total disregard of the people’s right to freedom, democracy and self-determination. We urge our member movements in all the countries in Asia Pacific and the global Federation to join local actions and campaigns to support the people’s action and ensure a peaceful resolution to this crisis. We continue to pray for the people of Burma, the leaders of the protest actions, our friends and colleagues in the student movement and the Churches. May they be strengthened by our solidarity action and prayers as they struggle to seek peaceful change in their country.
—Ms. Biyaya G. Quizon, Vice-Chairperson, World Student Christian Federation, Quezon City, Philippines [See link below for full attachment.]

We need a youth-oriented campaign. These campaigns will definitely give courage to the protesting monks in their struggle.
—Mr. Sachiin Jain, World Jain Youth Federation, India

Today we have a symbolic wearing of red shirts as a gesture of solidarity for the people of Myanmar. The local people’s movement here are planning series of solidarity action for Myanmar.
—Mr. Lesley G. Capus, Youth Desk Coordinator, National Council of Churches in the Philippines

Thank you for the zeal to fight for peace and to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. I am sending our message and other pertinent information to all Catholic youth commissions all over Asia and encourage them as well to make concrete steps for the people of Myanmar and the struggle for peace.
—Ms. Jessica Joy V. Candelario, Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences, Manila, Philippines

Thank you for your leadership in brining people together for the universal cause of peaceful change.
—Mr. Socho (Bishop) Koshin Ogui and Dr. Gordon Bermant, President, Buddhist Churches of America [See link to full statement below.]
 

Thank you very much for taking action on this serious situation. We feel part of this initiative and will share it relevant stakeholders.
—Mr. Arne Sæverås, Special Adviser for Peace and Reconciliation, Norwegian Church Aid

We support and solidarity with all liberation movements in the world. We call for quiet and peaceful dialogues aimed at the unity of religions and the renuciation of violence,pressure and repression against peoples. So we join our voices to all voices calling for peace and reliogus freedoms, cultural and political. Therefore, we stand with Buddhist monks peaceful movement for freedom and reform.
—Ms. Majida Shannoon, Director, the Woman's Affairs Office, Al-Hakim Foundation, Najaf, Iraq