The KAICIID Board of Directors, consisting of representatives of five religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism - issued today the following statement following the attacks at Egypt’s St George's and St Mark’s Coptic churches in Tanta and Alexandria on 9 April, as well as in Stockholm, Sweden on 7 April 2017:

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrific bombings in St George's and St Mark’s Coptic churches in Egypt, killing innocent worshipers who were celebrating the beginning of their Holy Week. We are also saddened by the violence of the Stockholm truck attack. We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and pray for the recovery of those who were injured in these acts of brutality and disrespect for others.

We reject any violence committed in the name of religion and call upon peace-loving people to stand up for the rights of their brothers and sisters. While these acts attempt to divide us, we must stand together against fear and hatred and unite for peaceful coexistence and respect for all religions and cultures”.

About the Board of Directors

KAICIID is an intergovernmental organization mandated to promote dialogue among different religious and cultural groups to promote justice, peace and reconciliation and to counteract the abuse of religion to justify violence. The Centre is governed by a multi-religious Board of Directors, consisting of representatives of five religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

They are, in alphabetical order: Swami Agnivesh, Dr. Hamad Al-Majed, His Excellency Bishop Miguel Ayuso, His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, Dr. Sayyed Ataollah Mohajerani, Reverend Kosho Niwano, Reverend Mark Poulson, Chief Rabbi David Rosen and Dr. Mohammad Sammak.