Moved by Faith is a new initiative launched by the Sudan Interfaith Working Group, a coalition of several prominent faith-based organizations. Furthermore, it’s a deep and multifaceted commitment by people of all faiths to work to bring peace to Darfur and Sudan.
Faith-based organizations are integral to the movement and make up a large portion of Save Darfur’s coalition members. Coalition members and partners are not only engaged in domestic and international advocacy work, but also help to save lives on the ground. Since the Darfur genocide began in 2003, multiple faith-based organizations, such as American Jewish World Service and Catholic Relief Services, have supported relief and humanitarian projects in Darfur and Sudan. The movement for peace has, of course, also come from faith communities within Sudan: Muslim Darfuris have been heavily involved in advocacy efforts, and the Sudan Council of Churches recently appealed to the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to resolve their differences in opinion over the referendum law.
This kind of critical engagement by the faith community has borne real results and has helped to relieve suffering across Sudan. In recognition of the importance of people of faith to the movement for peace, the Sudan Interfaith Working Group is asking that faith leaders across the nation sign onto a letter addressed to President Obama, outlining concerns and a path for future action. Congregations can take part in the weekend of prayer and action August 28-30, as well as becoming a Congregation of Conscience.
While the backgrounds of the organizations comprising the Sudan Interfaith Working Group are varied, they are all moved by faith – to act, to help and to lead for peace. We encourage all members of the faith community to join us in bringing attention to the conflict in Sudan and speaking out against the injustices that its people have had to suffer.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
