In a recent press release, the National Council of Churches detailed information that came from a recent meeting of Western Christians and two Presidents of Iran: former President Khatami and current President Ahmadinejad.
The results of this meeting give some reason for hope. I will explain below.
The press release, which those of us who subscribe to the NCC were requested to blog:
U.S. Religious Delegation Finds Hope in Iran
February 25, 2007
As Christian leaders from the United States, we traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran at this time of increased tension believing that it is possible to build bridges of understanding between our two countries. We believe military action is not the answer, and that God calls us to just and peaceful relationships within the global community.
We are a diverse group of Christian leaders from United Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker, and Mennonite traditions. The Mennonites have 17 years of on the ground experience in Iran. We were warmly welcomed by the Iranian people, and our time in Iran convinced us that religious leaders from both countries can help pave the way for mutual respect and peaceful relations between our nations.
Here are the Mennonite representatives, who, as noted, represent a presence of almost two decades in the country:
J. Daryl Byler
Director, Mennonite Central Committee's Washington Office
Ron Flaming
Director of International Programs, Mennonite Central Committee.
Edward Martin
Director of Mennonite Central Committee’s Central and Southern Asia Program
Patricia Shelly
Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA.
For the record, I am not a member of the Mennonite church, though I have a very, very deep respect for that denomination. This is why I post their credentials, in hope that many may see that their actions have been for peace in Iran for a long, thankless time.
During our visit we met with Muslim and Christian leaders, government officials, and other Iranian people.
Our final day included a meeting with former President Khatami and current President Ahmadinejad. The meeting with President Ahmadinejad was the first time an American delegation had met in Iran with an Iranian president since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The meeting lasted two-and-a-half hours and covered a range of topics, including the role of religion in transforming conflict, Iraq, nuclear proliferation, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What the delegation found most encouraging from the meeting with President Ahmadinejad was a clear declaration from him that Iran has no intention to acquire or use nuclear weapons, as well as a statement that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through political, not military means. He said, "I have no reservation about conducting talks with American officials if we see some goodwill."
We believe it is possible for further dialogue and that there can be a new day in U.S. – Iranian relations. The Iranian government has already built a bridge toward the American people by inviting our delegation to come to Iran. We ask the U.S. government to welcome a similar delegation of Iranian religious leaders to the United States.
There we have it: a group of Christians and Christ-centered religionists calling for further dialogue in the name of peace. We also have an Islamic leader who is not necessarily friendly to the United States calling for talks with respect. Do our country's diplomats have the courage to accept this call? Might it mean that pride might go so that we all do not fall?
As additional steps in building bridges between our nations, we call upon both the U.S. and Iranian governments to:
- immediately engage in direct, face-to-face talks;
- cease using language that defines the other using "enemy" images; and
- promote more people-to-people exchanges including religious leaders, members of Parliament/Congress, and civil society.
As people of faith, we are committed to working toward these and other confidence building measures, which we hope will move our two nations from the precipice of war to a more just and peaceful relationship.
I do not know if this information gives me much more hope for the situation when I view the current political landscape here in this country. I only know the record will show that an attempt was made to bridge the gap and to make peace. Now if only our own leaders would show the same good faith attempt toward peace.