Press release: UN weeks against racism - A sign for solidarity and human rights

Sikhs are committed to social cohesion, human rights and peace worldwide. Nevertheless, they themselves experience discrimination time and again. Foto: Unsplash

Human Rights for All: Interreligious Declaration for the UN Weeks Against Racism 2024

During religious get-togethers and observances such as worship services, Shabbat celebrations, Friday prayers, or Cem ceremonies throughout the International Weeks Against Racism from March 11 to March 24, 2024, we request the following declaration to be read:

As religious communities, we stand in solidarity with the International Weeks Against Racism with the theme “Human Rights for All.”

Any form of racism, whether in the form of violence, discrimination, exclusion, or humiliation, is incompatible with the core values of religion and spirituality.

We urge not to support groups and parties that spread hatred and incitement. Right-wing extremist parties are not electable for religious and spiritual people.

Anyone who propagates dehumanizing, demeaning, fanatical, and right-wing extremist slogans – including racist as well as antisemitic and anti-Muslim statements – should not hold volunteer or professional positions in religious communities.

Nils Clausen, Chairman of the German Buddhist Union (DBU)
Ihsan Dilber, Chairman of the State Association of Alevi Communities in Hesse
Dr. Andreas Herrmann, Senior Church Councillor at the Office of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD)
Aiman Mazyek, Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany
Daniel Neumann, Director of the State Association of Jewish Communities in Hesse
Jascha Noltenius, Representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'í in Germany
Dr. Irfan Ortac, Chairman of the Central Council of Yazidis in Germany
Khushwant Singh, SikhiCouncil
Haladhara Thaler, long-time Chairman of the Hindu Community Berlin

Publisher: Foundation Against Racism, https://stiftung-gegen-rassismus.de, and Abrahamic Forum in Germany e.V., https://abrahamisches-forum.de

Translation by SikhiCouncil

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