Former President of Iran Calls on World Faiths to Unite

The former president of Iran has stressed that the world's three dominant faiths must work together in harmony to bring peace to a violent world during a speech at the Washington National Cathedral earlier in the month.

"It's good at the present time, where war, violence and repression is so prevalent across the world, for all of us who are followers of God's religion to pursue all efforts for the establishment of peace and security," former president of Iran Mohammad Khatami told the 1,300-strong congregation gathered to hear him speak.

The invitation of the former Iranian president has sparked controversy, however, due to the suppression of religion in the country during his reign.

Canon John L Peterson, Washington Cathedral's international programmes, defended the invitation in a letter to The Church of England Newspaper, insisting that it was controversial but necessary to foster peaceful relations, Religious Intelligence reported.

"Although former president Khatami is viewed negatively by some, he is important as the most moderate Iranian voice willing to discourse with Americans on matters of peace among the Abrahamic faiths," Canon Peterson said.

Canon Peterson pointed to meetings between Khatami and former US President Jimmy Carter and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as "indications of the acceptance for and importance of discussions with the former Iranian leader". Khatami even travelled to Rome to meet with Pope John Paul II in 1999.

"Our invitation is a gesture of peaceful outreach for dialogue and listening that we hope will lead our world closer toward reconciliation," Canon Peterson said.

However the chairman and vice-chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom questioned the propriety of the visit, writing in the Washington Post there was a "troubling irony" in the Cathedral's invitation.

"In his own country, Khatami held office as president from 1997 to 2005 while religious minorities - including Jews, Christians, Sunni and Sufi Muslims, Baha'is, dissident Shiite Muslims and Zoroastrians - faced systematic harassment, discrimination, imprisonment, torture and even execution because of their religious beliefs," they stated.

The Commission leaders argued further that his call for harmony among the "Abrahamic Faiths" came in stark contrast to his actions while in power and that the Cathedral's decision to host Khatami was not only extraordinary but also jeopardised the National Cathedral's standing as "one of America's most significant moral symbols."

The Commission's views were echoed by three bishops of The Episcopal Church, who urged the Cathedral to cancel the invitation. The Bishops of Northern Indiana, Rhode Island and Southwest Florida released an open letter prior to the event in which they stated that Khatami's "actions do not support the goal of reconciliation for which our Church has so fervently prayed and worked."

The bishops added that Khatami's presence at the Cathedral harmed the Church's relationship with Judaism and highlights "our Church's blatant disregard of Iran's dismal human rights record and its failure to live as a responsible member of the community of nations."
related articles
Muslims and Christians Build Bonds through War in Lebanon

Muslims and Christians Build Bonds through War in Lebanon

Sentamu Urges Muslims to 'Love Thy Neighbour'

Sentamu Urges Muslims to 'Love Thy Neighbour'

Religious Leaders Urge Dialogue After Pope's Comments

Religious Leaders Urge Dialogue After Pope's Comments

Pope Hopes for Dialogue

Pope Hopes for Dialogue

News
7 simple ways to stay close to God when you're on holiday
7 simple ways to stay close to God when you're on holiday

Here are 7 simple, meaningful ways to stay connected to God - no matter where you are.

Christians face 'increasingly perilous existence' in Syria; church bombing serves as 'brutal reminder'
Christians face 'increasingly perilous existence' in Syria; church bombing serves as 'brutal reminder'

The bombing at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, last month that killed over two dozen people is an indication that Syria's Islamist-led authorities under President Ahmad al‑Sharaa are enabling radicalism that threatens the existence of Syria's Christian community, experts warn. 

Church calls for reform of tax and spend regime
Church calls for reform of tax and spend regime

The document takes issue with Britain’s current “individualised” form of taxation, saying this this puts single-earner families “at a significant disadvantage”.

Four CofE dioceses to receive £30m to spread the gospel
Four CofE dioceses to receive £30m to spread the gospel

More than half of the funds (£17.8 million) are going to the Diocese of Birmingham.