Religions for Peace Delivers 3,000 Messages of Support for Buddhist Monks of Burma from People of Different Faiths
Multi-faith Delegation of Religious Leaders Meet with ASEAN Chair
(NEW YORK, 19 November 2007)
Representatives of Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, delivered to the ASEAN Chair in Singapore more than 3,000 messages of support for the Buddhist monks of Burma from people of different faiths in almost a hundred countries.
A Religions for Peace delegation representing the world’s faith traditions met with Singaporean Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, in Singapore. Singapore is the current Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which seeks to promote economic development and advance peace in the region.
The Religions for Peace delegation of Taoist, Christian, and Buddhist religious leaders included Rev. Master Lee Zhiwang, Co-President of the Religions for Peace World Council and President of the Taoist Mission in Singapore; Brother Michael Broughton, Area Director, De La Salle Brothers and President of St. Joseph’s Institution and member of the Singapore Inter-religious Organisation; Mr. Lawrence Chong, Moderator of the Religions for Peace Asian Inter-religious Youth Network; and Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Director for Inter-Religious Council Development and Coordination at Religions for Peace–International.
The messages of support from around the world were the result of a global campaign launched by the Religions for Peace network in response to the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters by the Myanmar authorities in September. The multi-religious appeals, addressed to Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, condemned the violence and urged the government of Myanmar to release detained protesters and enter into peaceful dialogue with the country’s religious communities and other groups. Signatories to the Burma appeal include senior religious leaders, inter-religious groups, networks of women of faith and youth groups, and individuals of different faiths from around the globe. Religious communities of the Religions for Peace global network have also issued public statements, held demonstrations and prayer vigils in support of the religious communities of Burma.