On Monday, September 9th, The Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities (IAFSC), in partnership with His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, Metropolitan of France, Ecumenical Patriarchate, hosts their internationally recognized “The Role of Faith Leaders in Combatting Hate Crime” workshop in Paris. The global forum, which has been presented in numerous cities across the globe including New York and Moscow, addresses the urgent need to educate community and faith leaders on the rise in hate crimes and how they can play a role within their communities to prevent them.
“We are proud to partner with His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, Metropolitan of France, Ecumenical Patriarchate, to host an educational workshop on the role of faith leaders in combatting hate crime in their communities,” said Hamdan Al Yammahi, Executive Office to the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities. “Through this interactive event, we were able to educate participants from several faith and community groups in Paris and reinforce the importance of empowering faith leaders to take an active and effective role in the safety and security of their communities. We look forward to working with His Eminence on future projects.”
Aware of how hate speech and hate crime are increasing on the global level, His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel in his introductory remarks called for, “common action to help create a road map for faith leaders.” He pointed to the increase of attacks in Orthodox churches and monasteries in Ukraine, Cyprus, Kosovo, Syria and elsewhere. “We are aware that religious communities suffer in the conflict zones due to their particular religious identity,” he said.
To launch the discussions, he referred to Article 19 of Universal Declaration on Human Rights which is the fundamental principle of human rights of freedom of expression, but also stated the limitations defined by article 19(2) of International Convention on Political and Civil Rights (ICCPR) when public order, health, morals or national security is in danger.
Noteworthy attendees included Rabbi David Rosen CBE (Former Chief Rabbi of Ireland and International Director for Interreligious Affairs, AJC), Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia (Chief Rabbi of France) Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis (Metropolitan of France, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate), Archbishop Nikitas Nikitas Lulias (Archbishop of Thyrateira and Great Britain, Greek Orthodox Church); Archbishop Eystratie Ivan Zoria (Orthodox Christian, Ukraine), Pastor Christian Krieger (President of Conference of European Churches), Pastor Fransois Clavairoly (President, Protestant Federation of France), Imam Abd al-wadoud Gouraud (Islam), Dr. Elizabeta Kitanovic (Executive Secretary of Conference of European Churches), Jathedar Chain Singh Khalsa (President of Singh Sabha Gurdwara) and Ghaleb Bencheikh (President of the Foundation of Islam in France).
