Anglican Communion News Service

Statement by Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, Chairperson of the Inter-Religious Commission on Crime and Violence in the Western Cape

There have been numerous comments in the media in recent days relating to the current conflict in the Middle East.

We recognise that the issues are complex and highly emotive, and deeply affect the diverse communities in the region. At the same time, we join the international community in calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through the resumption of dialogue.

We note that this conflict in the Middle East has caused tensions in our own area.  Some have even suggested that they have polarised our community. However, we wish to emphasise that there is a long history of peaceful co-existence amongst our different Faith communities and we believe the tensions created by the Middle East situation need not polarise them.

Indeed, the existence of the Inter-religious Commission on Crime and Violence is a manifestation of the ability of our religious communities to work together.

We take this opportunity to call on the concerned and affected communities to continue to use the Inter-religious Commission as a forum for dialogue and for finding creative ways to respond to the tensions created by the Middle East conflict.

We appeal to the people of Cape Town to be calm in the face of current tensions about hostilities in the Middle East and to pray for peace.