Darfur – Faith leaders pray at Downing Street

Call for action to stop the genocide in Darfur

London, Sunday, 17 September 2006
12.15 pm sharp faith leaders assemble at the gates of Downing Street
12.30 pm sharp faith leaders go into Downing Street and read prayers
opposite the doors of No. 10.
12.45pm sharp prayers handed in to the Prime Minister

Active Faith: Prayers for Darfur

London – September 17 is the international day of action for Darfur.
Events are being planned all over the world to draw attention to the
ongoing genocide in western Sudan.

The Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu has kindly agreed to write a
prayer for the peace and humanitarian group, Waging Peace, to be read
as part of a multi-faith prayer witness outside the Prime Minister’s
residence in Downing Street.

Prayers from other influential faith leaders from the Muslim and
Jewish communities will also be read. We aim to remind our prime
minister of his personal commitment not to allow another Rwanda to
occur.

Copies of the prayers will then be handed in to No. 10 by the
participating Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith representatives.

In addition to those from different faiths in London who will
participate at Downing Street, churches, mosques, synagogues and
temples all over the UK will be joining the event by praying for
Darfur.

September will mark the first anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s
adoption of the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ doctrine. In addition to
this policy, which has been endorsed by the British government, our
Prime Minister Tony Blair stated in 2001 that we would have a duty to
act to stop another Rwanda.

We welcome this opportunity to remind the Prime Minister of his moral
obligation. We ask that:
- Britain push the UN to enforce its resolutions on Darfur and put
genuine pressure on the government of Sudan;
- The African Union force is significantly strengthened;
- A well-equipped UN peacekeeping force with a mandate to protect
civilians and disarm those who terrorise, rape, and kill them is
provided
The importance of these demands is underlined by the UN’s Jan Egeland,
who warns that 100,000 people may die each month in Darfur and Chad if
the situation continues to deteriorate.

Waging Peace director Tess Finch-Lees said:

“Darfur is yet another casualty of our government’s ill-fated foreign
policy. With our troops already overcommitted in Iraq and elsewhere,
Tony Blair, a professed Christian, turns a blind eye to genocide. We
urge Mr Blair today to fulfil his moral and political duty to protect
the beleaguered civilians of Darfur,” said Ms Finch Lees.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of OutRage!, who has long urged
international action to halt the genocide in Darfur, added:

“After the horrors of Rwanda, Tony Blair and other world leaders
promised they would never again allow genocide to happen. Despite
these fine words, a Rwanda-style genocide is happening right now in
Darfur and the international community is failing to protect the
victims. The UN has a moral and legal duty to take immediate and
effective action to stop the slaughter,” said Mr Tatchell.

Further information:
Waging Peace
Tess Finch-Lees - 01844 202288 / 07815298124

Prayer for Darfur by Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

We pray for the people of Darfur who have been terrorised and forced
from their homes; for those who have fled to refugee camps, and who
still
live in fear;

We pray for those who have died, and for their families;

We pray for the women in Darfur who face danger every day as they
leave their camps for firewood - may you watch over your daughters;

We pray for the children of Darfur, especially those who face a
frightening world without one or both of their parents - may they be
protected and comforted;

We pray for the safety of the humanitarian aid workers as they feed
and care for the people of Darfur;

We pray for the safety of the African Union's Mission in Darfur as
they work in difficult circumstances;

We pray for the safety of the United Nations' Peacekeepers when they
begin their duties in Darfur;

We pray that the world's leaders will be guided by you in their quest
for justice and safety for Darfur's people - may they be inspired by
your humanity;

Remind us that we are all your children, and teach us to listen;

We pray that those who are causing death and misery in Darfur will
turn away from racism and violence – may they be forgiven when they
turn to you for guidance instead;

Teach us to rejoice in all the things we have in common and respect
each others’ differences;

We pray that people everywhere will strive to live in peace,
tolerance, and respect, no matter what their faith or race - may we
gain the wisdom, grace, and generosity of spirit to overcome our
differences and live as one.

ENDS
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