The KAICIID Board of Directors, consisting of representatives of five religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism - issued today the following statement following the attack near St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Egypt on 19 April 2017 and the attack in Paris on 20 April 2017:

“We are deeply saddened by the continuous violence targeting peaceful worshippers and houses of worship in Egypt and by the brutal attack in Paris. We reject and condemn attacks against Egyptian citizens who are peacefully exercising their right to worship, and, we call for unanimous condemnation of all who seek to rob others of their common citizenship.

In these difficult times, we extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and commend the courageous efforts of the members of the Egyptian and French police forces who lost their lives or were injured protecting both the rights of fellow citizens and pluralism.

We must continue to unite against violence in the name of religion, as any attack against believers is unacceptable and unjustifiable.”

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.