EPISTLE
TO ALL QUAKER BODIES, APPROVED BY FCNL, NOVEMBER 2009
We have inherited a large
house, a great "world house" in which we have to live together,black
and white, Easterner and Westerner, Gentile and Jew, Catholic and Protestant,
Moslem and Hindu ‑‑ a family unduly separated in ideas, culture and
interest, who, because we can never again live apart, must learn somehow to
live with each other in peace. Martin Luther King,
Jr., 1964
We have the power to make the
world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping
in mind what has been written.Koran: "we have made you into nations and
tribes so that you may know one another.".Talmud: "the Torah is for the purpose of promoting
peace"..Bible: "Blessed are
the peacemakers."
President
Barack Obama, Cairo, June 3, 2009.
Greetings to Friends:
As Quakers we are called to
"answer that of God in everyone." Our work begins with ourselves and
our own country. This work must include our embrace of the "other,"
in order to replace "tolerance" with understanding, respect, and
sustained collaboration on issues of mutual concern. Especially since September
11, 2001, American Muslims have been wrongly stereotyped as foreigners,
unbelievers, and terrorist‑sympathizers.
The Christian roots of Quakerism bring us
Jesus' answer to "Who is my neighbor?" in his parable of the Good
Samaritan [Luke 10: 35‑37]. Paul heard this message and worked to open
the community of believers to the "other," regardless of ethnicity,
status, or gender. [Gal. 3:28]. Many Quakers have extended their hands to the
"other" over the centuries.
If we stand together to practice equality
and justice, we can enhance our understanding of American Muslims and theirs of
us and raise American Muslim visibility in a positive way, which is of special
importance to Muslim youth. This would encourage similar efforts by others,
help amplify American Muslim voices, and make our education of the public and
policy advocacy more effective.
Intercultural teamwork will not just
happen. It requires intentional and coordinated programs and policies to extend
ourselves as Quakers and as Americans to our American Muslim sisters and
brothers. Some Quaker groups have attempted to respond, especially since
September 11, 2001, to local calls for support by Muslims. Many Muslim
organizations voice readiness to engage with us on education of the public, civil
liberties, political participation, meeting human needs, and conflict
resolution in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. FCNL
staff have cultivated increased interfaith contacts in its work on civil
liberties, nuclear disarmament, immigration, and peaceful prevention of deadly
conflict. Together we can build on this good work.
Accordingly, FCNL:
·
Commits to continue seeking out and engaging
with American Muslim secular and religious organizations on issues of mutual
concern.
·
Encourages
other Quaker organizations, meetings, churches, and individuals to consider
similar bridge‑building for fellowship, joint service, and advocacy work
as they discern openings.
·
Invites
Quaker organizations to share their past and evolving experiences and
"lessons learned" with other Quaker organizations, and learn from
them and our non‑Quaker counterparts.
