It has been six weeks since BBC corespondant, Alan Johnnston was abducted returning to his house in Gaza City. Since his abduction there has been no word of his condition or whereabouts. In hopes of obtaining the journalist’s return a Christian Vicar, Jewish Rabbi and Muslim Imam in Briton have united in an interfaith vigil that took place at St. Martin’s In the Fields church in London. They are hoping to secure the man’s release and were joined by many of Johnston’s colleagues who lit candles and displayed his picture. According to Rabbi Mark Winer of the West London Synagogue all three faiths have had thier extremists but those who take part in the vigils do so in hope of creating a peace between them and a mutual respect so that the differences could be celebrated. He said: “Despite the different narratives and interpretations we may have for what is going on in our common Holy Land, we are united in our resolve that the kidnapping of a journalist, the kidnapping of Alan Johnston, is outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour regardless of the truth or justice of anyone’s cause.” Dr Abduljalil Sajid, imam and chairman of the UK Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony has been holding vigils in several British Mosques. He delivered this direct challenge to the correspondent’s captors: “It is not right to keep a person against his will and it is not right that you should damage the good cause of the Palestinians.” St Martin In the Fields’ Vicar, Rev. Nicholas Holtam said prayers for everyone in captivity and “and in whose heart the lamp of hope burns low”. These men are true people of faith and prove that we can overcome our differences for the greater good. Hopefully thier efforts will not be in vain and Alan Johnston will be released unharmed. However, if that outcome is not granted, these men of faith have provided a point of light that people can reference.
2
Links
Related Links
Post a Comment