English
A Joint statement from
Top Leaders of Religious and Life Stance Communities in Norway
September 19th 2024
Link to downloadable PDF.
It is almost one year since Hamas’ attack on Israeli civilians and the start of Israel’s subsequent warfare in Gaza. We are all in deep despair about the atrocities of the war, every irreplaceable civilian life lost, the hostages still in captivity and the massive human suffering.
It is not up to us to solve the conflicts in the Middle East and the war in Israel-Palestine.
Our leadership primarily takes place here.
Among our member communities here in Norway, there are different opinions about both cause and effect, blame and the solution to this conflict. But we stand united in our deep concern about how the war out there is leaving its mark on our society here at home.
As leaders of various religious and life stance communities in Norway, we make up a community of disagreement. We do not seek to convert or convince each other, but to listen and be listened to. The premise of the dialogue is neither political nor theological agreement, but that we recognize each other as equal fellow human beings. This recognition is like holy ground.
Here we stand united with one voice.
Together we insist on the right to life and the safety of all people.
We want peace and freedom for both Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East, but not at the expense of the other party.
We want everyone to feel safe in the Norwegian society.
Far too many of our members, children, young people and adults alike, experience an increasing degree of insecurity in Norway.
We insist on the right to engage, the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression. However, we would like to encourage everyone to take greater responsibility for their words.
Today, debates in Norway contain elements of aggression, and demonising and dehumanising language, which we know all too easily trigger hate and violence.
Together we condemn anti-Jewish hatred.
Together we condemn anti-Muslim hatred.
Together we advocate zero tolerance for violence.
Together we stand for the right to a safe life for everyone throughout our nation.
We recognise each other as fellow human beings and commit ourselves as leaders to words and actions that build bridges. Together, we commit to an open, heedful and respectful dialogue for our common future.
Olav Fykse Tveit, President of the Bishops’ Conference of the Church of Norway
Joav Melchior, Rabbi for the Jewish Community of Oslo
Senaid Kobilica, Head Imam of the Islamic Community of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Norway
Zahoor Ahmad Ch, Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Kristine Høiland, Priest of St. Michael’s Church/Christian Community
Bernt Eidsvig, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oslo
Lama Changchub Tsering, Abbot of the Buddhist Federation of Norway
Christian Lomsdalen, Chair of the Norwegian Humanist Association
Per Anders Sandgren, Chair of the Christian Council of Norway
Gurmail Singh Bains, Gurduara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Bente Kvilhaugsvik, Chair of the Holistic Association,
Vijay Kalsi, Superintendent of Sanatan Mandir Sabha
Eric Johnson, Stake President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
28. november 2024
