United by their common concern and shock at the magnitude of the Tsunami disaster in South East Asia, leaders from all faith groups - representing the Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu communities - met in Johannesburg today to, in addition to what the Government and other sectors are doing, combine their considerable forces to form the Interfaith Disaster and Humanitarian Relief Commission.

The newly formed body will become a permanent forum, an important task of which will be to raise awareness of the need for vigilance in monitoring natural disasters in both the developed and the developing world. The forum will also be involved in on-going disaster management caused by the HIV+Aids pandemic and malaria. Relief of the African debt burden will also be on its agenda.

While the world’s fiercest Tsunami in forty years, has taken its toll on human life and ripped apart the lives of thousands in Southern Asia, it has also become the spiritual bonding agent between religious bodies in South Africa. In addition, the combined decision of the forum to collaborate with non-sectarian bodies to help re-build churches, synagogues, mosques and temples in South East Asia, becomes yet another symbol of practical cohesion.

"This interfaith initiative today is part of the South African dream of unity in diversity. It also demonstrates the relevance and importance of religion as a major force in South Africa which is a deeply religious country," said Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein.

In response to an appeal for action by South African Council of Churches President, Professor Russel Botman, Rabbi Goldstein has called on South African Jewry to recite Psalms 20 and 130 at daily services in Synagogues, on Monday January 10 and Thursday January 13.

The South African Council of Churches, in addition to an appeal to churches to arrange combined services with other faith communities, has called for a National day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday, January 12 at 13.00 in churches throughout the country. The SACC has also requested women’s organizations to set aside Thursday, January 13 for prayer and fasting.

"We are hoping that a silence of two or at least one minute will be observed in remembrance - especially of the terrible loss of children’s lives and the affect this catastrophe has visited on the most vulnerable of humanity. We are also asking that money that would have been spent on food on that day of fasting, be donated to the relief fund," said Professor Botman.

As the various faith groupings consider visits of solidarity to the affected areas, Bishop Ivan Abrahams - Chairperson of the SA Church Leader’s Forum and Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa - will lead a delegation to India and Thailand to exercise a "Ministry of Presence."

SACC General Secretary, Dr Molefe Tsele and Dr Mvume Dandala, of the All Africa Conference of Churches in Nairobi, will visit Kenya and Somalia.

The question of the tragedy’s possible adverse effect on people’s belief systems, elicited the following responses from the spiritual leaders.

"God weeps when this kind of thing happens. God is a God of Love. He wills all that is good. But, God has given us brains, technology and science. We have to make use of these faculties to develop adequate warning systems for natural disasters," said Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane.

"This disaster which has affected every person in the world, has demonstrated the capacity of the human spirit created in G-d’s image to overcome adversity and to reach out with generosity to those who suffer so grievously. We can be proud of the human race," said Rabbi Goldstein.

"As difficult as it is to come to terms with the human suffering, it is Karmic retribution for what humans have done to the planet. A more positive side though, is that the tragedy has brought about the need for people to work together, and to realize that it is possible to co-exist," he said.

Issued on behalf of the SACC
by the Methodist Communications Office

For further information, contact Val Pauquet (082 784 7693)