MULTIFAITH COALITION LEADS PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE

Washington D.C., February 9, 2024— Faith for Black Lives, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, Rabbis for Ceasefire, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia Chapter (CAIR-Pennsylvania), Fellowship of Reconciliation, Hindus for Human Rights, and more than forty partners will embark on a Pilgrimage for Peace calling for a ceasefire in Gaza to save lives. From February 14 to 21, more than 200 faith leaders, activists, and artists will march from Philadelphia, Pa., to Washington, D.C. to urge President Biden and Congress to act.

“We grieve alongside the families in Gaza, and we urgently call for a cessation of hostilities. It is our hope that this pilgrimage will amplify our collective voice for peace and justice,” said Bishop Vashti McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary.

“We mourn the over 27,000 Palestinian lives lost in this war and affirm our commitment to the release of all hostages and a pathway to peace”, said Rev. Stephen A. Green, Chair of Faith for Black Lives. “This pilgrimage emerges from a rich tradition of nonviolent moral action and is committed to sharing the principles of peace, love, and justice as we seek to awaken the conscience of the nation.”

Rabbi Alissa Wise, Lead Organizer of Rabbis for Ceasefire, said “Our interfaith coalition shares a commitment to the sacred obligation to protect human life. That is the root of our call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. As rabbis, we are grateful to link arms with Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Native American, and other spiritual leaders with whom we share a vision of a redeemed world. Jews, Palestinians, and all of our communities will find safety not in isolation, but through solidarity rooted in our commitment of life, justice, and dignity for everyone.” 

Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia, said, “As a Muslim-American, I am proud to support and join in this Pilgrimage for Peace where we come together as people of conscience and faith to follow in the footsteps of the giants of our communities who stood up of for human dignity for all during the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Through the pilgrimage, we will stand against the dehumanization of Palestinians and against our tax dollars being used to fuel more civilian deaths.”

“Hindus for Human Rights grieves with the families and individuals in Gaza and call for an urgent and immediate ceasefire. The Hindu values of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning the world is one family, is more relevant today than ever. This pilgrimage represents the Hindu values of Ahimsa (nonviolence), Shanti (peace), and Nyay (Justice), which the people in Gaza need from us, and may this effort reach the right ears,” said Vijayendra Kadalabal, Board Member of Hindus for Human Rights. 

The Pilgrimage for Peace will launch on Wednesday, February 14, with a press conference at 10:00 a.m. at Mother Bethel AME Church, located at 419 S 6th St., Philadelphia, PA. Afterward, the pilgrims will journey to Independence Hall to start the 150-mile pilgrimage.

The Pilgrimage for Peace will conclude on Wednesday, February 21, with a rally at the White House.