Interfaith Fast to End the War in Iraq

Communities and individuals of all faith traditions and spiritualities who are committed to ending the war in Iraq are planning an interfaith witness in Washington D.C. on March 7, 2008 to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the sacredness of human life. The world cries out for a common voice for peace from across religious traditions and paths. Learn more at OliveBranchInterfaith.org. 

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Thousands of Americans crossed the lines of faith traditions to fast from dawn to dusk last Monday (October 8th) to call for an end to the Iraq War. 

Prayer and fasting events were also reported in Canada, Australia and elsewhere, said the Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, associate general secretary at the National Council of Churches USA (NCC), one of the fast’s organizers.

Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Unitarians, people of other faiths and people of no faith observed a day of fasting together.  In many communities the breaking of the fast was observed at Islamic centers with an “iftar” dinner on the “Night of Power,” the holiest night in Ramadan. 

“This war must end!” said the religious leaders in their statement organizing the fast. “We must end the shattering of Iraqi and American lives by offering American generosity and support – but not control – for international and nongovernmental efforts to assist Iraqis in making peace and rebuilding their country, while swiftly and safely bringing home all American troops.”

Breaking the fast at sundown dinners rolled west across the nation in the different time zones.  They began in Washington, D.C., North Carolina and Pennsylvania to Kansas, Colorado, California and Washington State.

What may have been a first was a fast that took place in the online virtual community of Second Life (secondlife.com), organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) and the Peacemaker Institute.  Through their avatars, participants met for hourly mediation sessions throughout the day and then broke the fast with a closing ceremony and virtual snacks.  “Since I don’t live near any of the real life celebrations, participating in Second Life gave me the opportunity to be in community with others while I was fasting” said Ruby Sinreich of FOR.

At an Islamic center in Sterling, Va., just outside the nation’s capital, several Christians and Jews gathered with Muslims to break the fast.  Also present were officials of the U.S. State and Homeland Security departments and elected officials.

“Perhaps more than ever before religious people in small communities and large cities throughout the U.S. are gathering right now to break the fast,” the Rev. Dr. Premawardhana told the gathering.  “It is now imperative that we work to expand and deepen those relationships.”

Rick Ufford-Chase, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, USA, spoke of the efforts of Christians to bring an end to the war in Iraq, including those of Christian Peace Witness, which brought over 3000 religious leaders to Washington on the 4th anniversary of war.

“Christians must own that our Christian president took us to war,” he said.  “That was the focus of the gathering in March. Now, working hand in hand with our interfaith partners we are much stronger.”

The leaders of many faith communities invited Americans to join interfaith events for the common goal of peace which is common to all major religions in the world.

“American culture, society, and policy are addicted to violence at home and overseas,” said the organizers.  “In our time, the hope of a decent future is endangered by an unnecessary, morally abhorrent, and disastrous war.  Ending this war can become the first step toward a policy that embodies a deeper, broader sense of generosity and community at home and in the world.”

Among the religious who organized or endorsed the event were: Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Shalom Center, Philadelphia; Dr. Sayyid M. Sayeed, Islamic Society of North America, Plainfield, Ill.; Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, NCC Associate General Secretary for Interfaith Relations and Rev. Michael Livingston, NCC President; Jean Stoken, Pax Christi Roman Catholic peace ministry; Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Moderator of Religions for Peace USA; Jim Winkler, United Methodist Board for Church and Society; Rick Ufford-Chase, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and Christian Peace Witness, and Bishop Christopher Epting, The Episcopal Church.

I haven’t eaten in about 15 hours now. The pangs of hunger alternate with waves of peace. Are you fasting with us? Please share your story.

Susan Harman of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado wrote in today to say that she is hosting people in her home to break the fast tonight. She sent us this poem…
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By the way, we are now up to 53 events listed in our system, and we’re sure there are more that we don’t even know of! If you’re one of the organizers that posted an event, click here to log in and see RSVPs or change information.

I also want to thank the many people that have been spreading the word about Monday’s fast, and linking to our site. Google now counts hundreds of links to us, and dozens of people have even blogged about the Fast including: Faith In Public Life, Warped Galaxies, Darvish, National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation, The Lead, On Not Being a Sausage, Reclaiming The F Word, and especially the Black Jewish Experience who had this to say:

In Jewish, Muslim and indeed many faiths a fast is used to show importance and sincere mourning for our actions and sorrow. Nothing could be more important than raising awareness and spiritual importance for peace in Iraq.

October 8th take a day to set your intentions and soul on stopping the violence that is destroying our soldiers’ lives, taking too many Iraqis’ lives, and threatening our country’s future.

I do believe prayer/intentions/meditation, whatever way you get in touch with the everlasting spirit makes a difference in this earth.

Fasting will make those thoughts even more poignant. So please self-sacrifice for the day on behalf of all too many making the ultimate sacrifice. And tell as many people about it as possible.

We would like to encourage you to take pictures of individuals and groups observing the fast on Sunday and Monday and breaking the fast together Monday night. Please send your photos to interfaithfast+pictures@forpeace.net, or upload them to flickr.com and tag them “interfaithfast.”