In Light of Recent Shootings, Universal Peace Federation Calls for Faith Leaders to Unite

Michael Balcomb
August 8, 2012

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) extends its sincere condolences to the Sikh community of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, following last weekend's tragic murder of six innocent victims during what should have been the most sacred and peaceful hours of the week. UPF, which is a inter-religious nonprofit working for United Nations reform, has chapters in over 150 nations and counts many Sikhs amongst its Ambassador for Peace membership in the United States, Great Britain, Switzerland and India.

The past few weeks have seen a deadly upsurge of violence against innocent members of the public, not just here in the United States but around the world. The grisly shooting spree in Aurora, Colorado which claimed another twelve victims is unfortunately not even the most recent example. In Nigeria just yesterday, nineteen church goers were murdered by two gunmen who burst into the sanctuary where the victims were engaged in Bible study. In Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, bitter fighting between rival sects of Islam has left thousands dead.

UPF calls on people of all faith to come together in mutual support and a spirit of reconciliation in these troubled times. Religious leaders in particular can do much to reduce hostility, fear and tension amongst different faiths in the community, both by personal example and by taking time to educate their own communities about the many points that all faiths have in common. Indeed, this is the vision behind the World Week of Interfaith Harmony, celebrated by the United Nations, UPF and many other NGOs during the first week of February each year.

Later this month, Christian, Moslem, Jewish and Druze leaders will gather in Jerusalem for a consultation aimed at supporting the peace effort in the Holy Land, where tensions are high as Israel watches the unstable developments in Syria and the Sinai.