Community Directory 2011 - United Religions Initiative

C O M M U N I T Y D I R E C TO RY 2 011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
URI Preamble, Purpose, & Principles………………………….2
Global Council Trustees………………………………………..4
Regional Coordinators………………………………………...14
Global Support Staff…………………………………………..21
REGIONS
Africa……………………………………………………….......25
Asia…………………………………………………………….57
Europe………………………………………………………..122
Latin America and the Caribbean…………………………..141
Middle East and North Africa……………………………….156
MultiRegion…………………………………………………..182
North America………………………………………………..195
Southeast Asia and the Pacific……………………………..219
URI Multiple Cooperation Circles…………………………..236
In Memoriam – Celestial CC………………………………..240
preamble
We, people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions throughout the world, hereby
establish the United Religions Initiative to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously
motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
We respect the uniqueness of each tradition, and differences of practice or belief.
We value voices that respect others, and believe that sharing our values and wisdom can lead us to act for
the good of all.
We believe that our religious, spiritual lives, rather than dividing us, guide us to build community and respect
for one another.
Therefore, as interdependent people rooted in our traditions, we now unite for the benefit of our Earth
community.
We unite to build cultures of peace and justice.
We unite to heal and protect the Earth.
We unite to build safe places for conflict resolution, healing and reconciliation.
We unite to support freedom of religion and spiritual expression, and the rights of all individuals and peoples
as set forth in international law.
We unite in responsible cooperative action to bring the wisdom and values of our religions, spiritual
expressions and indigenous traditions to bear on the economic, environmental, political and social
challenges facing our Earth community.
We unite to provide a global opportunity for participation by all people, especially by those whose voices are
not often heard.
We unite to celebrate the joy of blessings and the light of wisdom in both movement and stillness.
We unite to use our combined resources only for nonviolent, compassionate action, to awaken to our
deepest truths, and to manifest love and justice among all life in our Earth community.
purpose
The purpose of the United Religions Initiative is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end
religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.
2
principles
1.
The URI is a bridge-building organization, not a religion.
2.
We respect the sacred wisdom of each religion, spiritual expression and indigenous tradition.
3.
We respect the differences among religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions.
4.
We encourage our members to deepen their roots in their own tradition.
5.
We listen and speak with respect to deepen mutual understanding and trust.
6.
We give and receive hospitality.
7.
We seek and welcome the gift of diversity and model practices that do not discriminate.
8.
We practice equitable participation of women and men in all aspects of the URI.
9.
We practice healing and reconciliation to resolve conflict without resorting to violence.
10. We act from sound ecological practices to protect and preserve the Earth for both present and future
generations.
11. We seek and offer cooperation with other interfaith efforts.
12. We welcome as members all individuals, organizations and associations who subscribe to the
Preamble, Purpose, and Principles.
13. We have the authority to make decisions at the most local level that includes all the relevant and
affected parties.
14. We have the right to organize in any manner, at any scale, in any area, and around any issue or activity
which is relevant to and consistent with the Preamble, Purpose, and Principles.
15. Our deliberations and decisions shall be made at every level by bodies and methods that fairly
represent the diversity of affected interests and are not dominated by any.
16. We (each part of the URI) shall relinquish only such autonomy and resources as are essential to the
pursuit of the Preamble, Purpose, and Principles.
17. We have the responsibility to develop financial and other resources to meet the needs of our part, and
to share financial and other resources to help meet the needs of other parts.
18. We maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, prudent use of resources, and fair
and accurate disclosure of information.
19. We are committed to organizational learning and adaptation.
20. We honor the richness and diversity of all languages and the right and responsibility of participants to
translate and interpret the Charter, Articles, Bylaws and related documents in accordance with the
Preamble, Purpose, and Principles, and the spirit of the United Religions Initiative.
21. Members of the URI shall not be coerced to participate in any ritual or be proselytized.
3
Global Council Trustees
The Rt. Rev. William E. Swing
URI Founding Trustee
Bishop William Swing is the President and Founder of the URI. Bishop Swing
had the original vision of URI in 1993 in response to an invitation from the
United Nations which asked him to host an interfaith service honoring the 50th
anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. Bishop Swing served as the
Episcopal Bishop of California from 1980 until his retirement in 2006. In that
capacity, he was a national and international leader in response to the AIDS
crisis. He co-founded Episcopal Community Services to address San
Francisco’s homeless problem as well as the Community Bank of the Bay to
support local businesses and the economy.
bswing@uri.org
The Rev. Canon Charles P. Gibbs
Gibbs
URI Executive Trustee
Canon Gibbs, an Episcopal (Anglican) priest, has served as URI's founding
Executive Director for 14 years. He has worked with religious, political, and
business leaders in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and in
the Pacific Rim. He has been a featured speaker internationally and has written
extensively about the transformative power of interfaith cooperation.
cgibbs@uri.org
Ms. Yoland Trevino
URI Global Council Chairperson & MultiRegion Trustee
Ms. Trevino, from Guatemala and of Mayan ancestry, holds Master’s degrees
in human behavior and in psychology. She is a visionary educator, professional
trainer and facilitator in transformative leadership. In 1996, Ms. Trevino
founded Transformative Collaborations International, which works
internationally to support transformational organizational change. Ms. Trevino
served on the federal Domestic Policy Council during the Clinton
Administration in the 1990s.
ytrevino@uri.org
4
Dr. Shlomo Alon
URI Global Council ViceVice - Chairperson
Dr. Alon is a scholar in the Arabic language and is the head of Arabic Languages
for the Israeli schools. He is the president of a large synagogue in Jerusalem. Dr.
Alon has been active in interfaith work for 25 years, serving on the boards of the
International Association for Religious Freedom and the Interfaith Encounter
Association.
shlomoalon11@gmail.com
Ms. Perri Kathryn McCary
URI Global Council Secretary
Ms. McCary is the founder and host of Think Peace Radio, a broadcast and
web-based radio station that brings a global perspective to interfaith efforts for
peace. She also is an author and storyteller. Ms. McCary is a URI co-founder
with special interest in mentoring the next generation of URI leaders.
pk@uri.org
Rabbi Doug Kahn
URI Global Council Treasurer
Rabbi Kahn has served as Executive Director of the Jewish Community
Relations Council in San Francisco, California for more than two decades and
is a founding member of the URI. Throughout his career, he has worked to
build bridges of trust and cooperation among people of different faiths. Most
recently, he has pioneered efforts to strengthen relations between the Jewish
and Muslim communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.
dkahn@jcrc.org
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AFRICA
Ms. Rattan K. Channa
Ms. Channa is a Trustee for the Sikh Women Society of Kenya and the
Convener for Social Welfare for the Sikh Supreme Council. She has served
many roles in the Inter-Religious Welfare Council of Kenya during the past
decade, including Co-Chair. Ms. Channa has also served as an Executive
Member of the Social Welfare Committee of the East African Ramgahria
Board from 2003-2007. She received the Outstanding Leader Award from
the Sikh Supreme Council of Kenya in 1992. Ms. Channa is a founding
member of URI, which was first introduced in Kenya in 1998.
rattanchanna@gmail.com
Bishop Samuel G. K. Lubogo
Bishop Lubogo is a retired bishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church in
Busoga, Uganda. During his ministry, he dedicated himself to addressing the
urgent material and spiritual needs of his people. He has a longstanding
commitment to cross-cultural and interfaith work for peace, justice and
healing.
erilub2@hotmail.com
6
ASIA
Swami Agnivesh (At
(AtAt- Large Trustee)
Trustee)
Swami Agnivesh, an internationally renowned Hindu leader, served 10 years
as Chairperson of the United Nations Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms
of Slavery. Since 1981 he has been Chairperson of the Bonded Labor
Liberation Front, and since 2004 he has served as President of the World
Council of Arya Samaj. He is a co-founder of URI’s Religions for Social
Justice Cooperation Circle, which has been a powerful force for interfaith
harmony and cooperation in India.
agnivesh@vsnl.com
Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad is the youngest Grand Imam of Badshahi
Mosque, the largest mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. He holds Master’s degrees
in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language. Mr. Khabir Azad is distinguished
internationally as a leader who promotes interfaith understanding and
cooperation for peace, reconciliation, and addressing urgent human need. In
1995, Mr. Khabir Azad organized the first interfaith conference inside the
Badshahi mosque.
khabirazad@yahoo.com
Ven. Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dr. Jinwol Lee is a Buddhist Monk and Zen Master. He belongs to Jogye
Order of Korean Buddhism, the major traditional Mahayana Buddhism in
Korea, and serves as the acting chairman of the Committee for Internal
Relations. He is a trustee of the URI Global Council, elected in the Asia
Region in 2002. He holds a Ph.D from the University of California Berkeley
and is a professor of Buddhist meditation and culture at Dongguk University
in Gyeongju, the thousand year old capital city of the Silla Dynasty.
jlee@uri.org
7
EUROPE
Ms. Kiran Bali
Ms. Bali has founded and chaired several local and regional interfaith groups
and worked with many international organizations to enhance understanding
among cultures to address community challenges and resolve conflicts. For this
work, she was honored by Queen Elizabeth II and has been designated an
Ambassador for Peace. Ms. Bali serves on URI’s Young Leaders Program
Steering Committee and on the URI Europe Executive Committee.
ms1kiran@yahoo.co.uk
Sheikh Bashir A. Dultz
Sheikh Bashir is a spiritual leader of the Sufi order Tariqah As-Safinah. He is a
founder and serves as president of the German Muslim League. He is a
founding member and delegate of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany,
a Muslim team member of the Three Faiths Summer School in Ammerdown, UK,
and an honorary fellow at the Jewish Leo Baeck College in London. Since
1999, Shaikh Bashir has served on the URI Europe Executive Committee.
info@dmlbonn.de
Ms. Elisabeth Lheure
Ms. Lheure has worked with the UNESCO Association for Interreligious
Dialogue for the past decade. Since 2006, she has worked in the field of
mediation for social cohesion in urban areas. She uses specific interfaith
dialogue as a tool for prevention and resolution of interconvictional conflicts in
the city of Barcelona. Ms. Lheure heads a program, Citizen Dialogue Between
Beliefs and Convictions, in cooperation with the local government. Since
2006, she has served on the URI Europe Executive Committee.
e.lheure@audir.org
8
LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
Ms. Fany Avila Eleta
Ms. Avila Eleta is a leader of the Commonwealth of the Kuna people of
Panama. She has participated in several international forums, including
“About Knowledge Traditions of World Intellectual Property Organization”
and Forum of Rio, Brazil on “Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples of the Americas.” Ms. Avila Eleta is the former president and
founder of the Association of Handicraft Artisans of Balboa and the current
Coordinator of the Circle of Kuna Women Artisans Cooperative.
fanyavila@hotmail.com
Rev. David Limo Pajar
Rev. David Limo Pajar is an Anglican priest, clergyman and activist for Human
Rights for people living with HIV. He has been involved in ecumenism and
interfaith cooperation programs and projects in human rights, health, peace,
justice and fight against poverty for more than 15 years. He is a leader in the
international network INERELA (International Network of Religious Leaders
living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS) for America region. He is
the former Executive Secretary for the Interconfessional Committee in Peru
where Christians, Jewish and Islamic Communities are represented. He was
the first Executive Secretary and founding member of the Multisectorial
National Coordination for Health (MCP-Global Fund PERU).
dlimo@urialc.org
limo.uiogd@gmail.com
Rev. Elias de Andrade Pinto
Rev. de Andrade Pinto is a pastor of the Independent Presbyterian Church of
Brazil. He is a member of three Sao Paolo state organizations: the State
Council of Peace of the Legislative Assembly, the Permanent Forum InterReligious of the Secretary for Justice, and of the National Council of
Christian Churches. Rev. de Andrade Pinto is a founding member of URI
Brazil and is active in organizing ecumenical spiritual retreats to build bridges
among people of different faiths.
rev.elias.united@gmail.com
9
MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA
Mr. Anas AlAl - Abbadi
Mr. Al-Abbadi is the Director and Co-Founder of Youth Spirit Center in
Jordan. A freelance trainer and project manager for intercultural and
interfaith dialogue, he has organized more than 20 regional and
international youth exchanges and seminars and 17 Jordanian youth
forums. Mr. Al-Abbadi also has managed several local and regional
projects for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, National Forum for
Youth & Culture, and Anna Lindh Foundation. Currently Mr. Al-Abbai is
studying Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution at the American
University in Washington, DC.
anas.a@jordaninterfaith.org
Mr. Tareq Z. AlAl- Tamimi
Mr. Al-Tamimi conducts leadership training and economic development in
Palestine and is the coordinator of Volunteering for Peace Cooperation
Circle of the URI in that country. He is an active member of the URI
MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Steering committee, a member of
URI’s Young Leaders Program, and is active in several other URI
projects.
mttamimi@gmail.com
Ms. Suzan Dababneh
Ms. Dababneh holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and
economy, and has attended the Summer Peacebuilding Institute at
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va., USA. Since 1991, she
has worked for the Pontifical Mission Library in Amman and focused on
religious education, conflict transformation, and peacebuilding. Ms.
Dababneh also works as a freelance trainer focused on conflict
resolution, effective communication skills, and other managerial
competencies. She is a founding member and coordinator of Jordan
Seeds of Peace.
sd23370@yahoo.com
10
MULTIREGIONAL
Dr. Linda B. Elder
Dr. Linda Bennett Elder, Trustee of the Multi-Region of URI is a retired
Professor of Religious Studies whose expertise includes Women’s
Studies and Peace Studies. Her publications include articles, book
chapters and a textbook: Creating Women: An Anthology of Readings
on Women and Western Culture (Prentice Hall-2005). A member of
Phi Beta Kappa she has taught Honors courses related to Peace
Studies throughout her career. While teaching in the deep South, she
established an interfaith women’s organization, and the Religious
Studies program within the Department of Philosophy at her university.
Her anti-racist activities “on the ground” include the Political Action
committee with the local Southern Christian Leadership Conference
and the Board of Directors of Project Change for which she received
the Ron Brown award in 1998. The current project within her CC, The
Pilgrimage Project, is to foster development of a series of texts and
multi-media presentations highlighting significant differences within the major religious traditions that
proceed from cultural and regional differences including, politics, economics, environment, and education.
Previous to her academic career, Dr. Bennett Elder was Director of the "Opera Theatre Workshop" in
Toronto, Ontario. Professional artists in The Pilgrimage Project Artists Alliance are committed to building
community through the arts.
benetlin@aol.com
Mr. Donald H. Frew (AtAt- Large Trustee)
Trustee)
Donald H. Frew is a Wiccan Elder and High Priest of Coven
Trismegiston in Berkeley, California. He is a National Interfaith
Representative for the Covenant of the Goddess. He has represented
Wicca in interfaith work for over 25 years, including on the Board of
the Berkeley Area Interfaith Council, at all of the modern Parliaments
of the World's Religions, and on the Board of the Interfaith Center at
the Presidio. He founded & serves as Director for the Lost &
Endangered Religions Project. He has been active in the URI since
1988 and currently coordinates two Multi-Region CCs: Expressing
the URI in Music & the Arts CC and the Spirituality & the Earth CC.
He also served as a North American Trustee on the URI's first elected
Global Council and as an At-Large Trustee on the second Global
Council.
DHF3@aol.com
11
NORTH AMERICA
Ms. Anne V. Roth
Ms. Roth is a founding member of URI. Formerly an Ordained minister,
she holds a B.A. in Music and History, a Masters of Divinity, and a
Certificate in Spiritual Direction. She has published writings in Biblical
studies and social justice issues. Moving from pastoral work to AIDS
ministry and then into interfaith connections, she has spent the past 14
years helping to grow URI’s network around the world, was instrumental
in getting URI North America organized, and continues to use her skills
as a planner, organizer, and networker. She and her husband have
served URI as support team and hospitality workers over the years.
avd.roth@comcast.net
Ms. Adelia Sandoval
Ms. Sandoval is a respected leader of indigenous Acjachemen people of
southern California, USA, having dedicated herself to reclaim and teach
her people’s cultural heritage. She is a gifted storyteller and singer. Ms.
Sandoval also is dedicated to building bridges of interfaith cooperation to
foster a climate of goodwill and justice on our planet that enables all
people to walk in beauty.
songoftheearthministries@yahoo.com
Ms. Rebecca Tobias
Ms. Gonzalez-Tobias has served as a Fellow at the Office of High
Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva with the Working Group for
Indigenous Populations and is presently the Program Director of the Raoul
Wallenberg Institute of Ethics, as well as a Board member of the Levantine
Cultural Center and the Euphrates Institute at Principia College. Most
recently she has been invited to join the program design team at the
InterSpiritual Center of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Rebecca is
also working to develop a CC entitled, "Protecting and Restoring the
Sacred," which encourages collaborative activities between members of
the formal environmental movement and the regional First Nations
communities.
Rebecca@RaoulWallenbergInstitute.org
12
SOUTHEAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC
Dr. Amir Farid bin d. Isahak
Dr. Isahak is a well-known and respected figure among religious and
government leaders in Malaysia, and is a senior medical consultant with 25
years experience. He leads two interfaith organizations in Malaysia and is an
adviser to several Islamic organizations. He is a pioneer of anti-aging
medicine in Malaysia and in promoting the use of holistic integrated
medicine.
INSAF/Pure Life Society
Batu 6, Jalan Puchong
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 58200
Business: (603) 4108-4300
Home: (603) 410-51-300
Mobile: (601) 7871-3000
E-mail: urimalaysia@yahoo.com (cc to dr.amir55@gmail.com)
Mr. Musa M. Sanguila
Mr. Sanguila is Chairman of Muslim Sharing Skills for Peace & Development
and Director of Pakigdait, a grassroots interfaith, peacebuilding civil society
organization in Mindanao, Philippines. He has participated in the Summer
Peace Building Institute of Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va.,
USA, and completed a course in “Islamic Theology: Mazhab Shinazi” at AlMufid University, Quom, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Pakigdait Inc.
Door 1-9, Monian Apartment, Purok Anthurium, Mahayahay
Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Mindanao,
Philippines 9200
Business: (63) 63 492 3103
Mobile: (63) 916 579 1333
E-mail: pakigdait@yahoo.com
Ms. Jessiee K. Singh
Ms. Singh is the co-founder and President of Centre of Melbourne
Multi-Faith and Others Network (COMMON), aURI CC. She formed partnerships
with UNESCO Clubs Australia and worldwide, and with universities and other
educational institutions, government bodies, and NGOs. Over the last 15 years, Ms.
Singh has attended and assisted to coordinate many national and international
conferences on interfaith, world peace, world aid, and international education and
health. She is also the president of GreenFaith Australia and president of Women's
InterFaith Network Foundation, both of which are URI CCs.
5 James Street, Noble Park
Victoria, Australia 3174
Home: (61) 39-547-8958
Mobile: (61) 0411-600-355
E-mail: jessieeKS@hotmail.com
13
Regional
Regional Coordinators
AFRICA
Africa Continent & Horn of Africa
Ambassador Mussie Hailu
Ambassador Mussie Hailu is a peace activist who is working at national,
regional and international levels for peace, reconciliation, interfaith
harmony, disarmament, the Golden Rule, world citizenship, right human
relationships and international cooperation. He considers himself as a
Citizen of the World and strongly believes in the interdependence of
human beings and celebrates cultural diversity, seeing the differences in
race, ethnicities, religions, politics, and nationalities as important elements
of the one and indivisible humanity. He has served many national and
international organizations including the United Nations. Currently he is the
Regional Director of URI for Africa and representative of URI at the
Economic Commission for Africa and African Union. He is a founding
member of URI. He also serves as Board Chairman of Interfaith Peacebuilding Initiative, a URI CC.
P.O. Box 7785, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Business: (251) 11-6-627-237 (URI Africa office)
Mobile: (251) 9-11-202-503
E-mail: mhailu@uri.org
Malawi SubSub-Region
Ms. Joyce D. Ng'oma
As she performs her work for URI, Ms. Ng'oma says she has
developed a strong belief that people of different beliefs can live
and work together, and has become more knowledgeable about
other religions through URI, and also that URI has taught her to be
humble, and to live in the Preamble, Purpose and Principles as
stated in the URI Charter. “I have always enjoyed the unique way of
bringing together different believers of all ages, of varied
backgrounds, both male and female,” she said. “From the first
meeting I attended years back, I felt that these times of
togetherness have been beneficial and binding and have helped to
build bridges across the board.”
Box 5038, Limbe, Malawi
Home: (265) 1-918-038
E-mail: jngoma@uri.org
14
Great Lakes SubSub-Region
Ms. Despina Namwembe
Ms. Namwembe has a social scientist background which
has enabled her to work with different people from diverse
walks of life. Her past and present connections with
interfaith and ecumenical movements worldwide have given
her the contacts to promote URI work within her region.
She has been successful in leading several national and
international events that motivate people to act on issues of
concern. She has also been able to identify talent within
Uganda and is now making contacts within the sub-region;
this continues to make the URI's impact in the area to grow.
P.O. Box 72190, Clock Tower
Kampala, Uganda
Business: (256) 414-531-066
Mobile: (256) 772-457-791
E-mail: dmwembe@uri.org
ASIA
South Korea
Ven. Dr. Jinwol Young H. Lee
The Ven. Dr. Jinwol Lee is a Buddhist Monk and Zen
Master. He belongs to Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism,
the major traditional Mahayana Buddhism in Korea, and
serves as the acting chairman of the Committee for
Internal Relations. He is a trustee of the URI Global
Council, elected in the Asia Region in 2002. He holds a
Ph.D from the University of California Berkeley and is a
professor of Buddhist meditation and culture at Dongguk
University in Gyeongju, the thousand year old capital city
of the Silla Dynasty.
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong, Gyeongju, Korea 780-714
Business: (82) 54-770-2832
Mobile: (82) 17-264-8260
E-mail: jlee@uri.org
Website: www.urikorea.org
15
India, East Zone
Mr. Biswadeb Chakraborty
Mr. Chakraborty holds a BA degree in Accounting. He was raised
in a family with strong spiritual values and commitment. Since
1996, he has been involved in community organizing and serves in
a leadership role with Ektaan Cooperation Circle. Mr. Chakraborty
is an accomplished musician and songwriter, dedicated to using
music as a medium for awakening inner consciousness, building
bridges of respect across social barriers, and uniting life on earth.
K1, 4th Floor, Vijay Apartment. A.C. Road
Burnpur, District- Burdwan
West Bengal, India 713325
Business: (91) 341-223-0915 (phone & fax)
Mobile: (91) 947-469-9238
E-mail: bchakraborty@uri.org
India, North Zone
Dr. Hira P. Gangnegi
Dr. Gangnegi was born in a remote tribal village, Kanam, in the
District of Kinnauar (Himachal Pradesh) situated on the border
of Tibet. He is the first educated member of his family. After
completing middle school he left his village for Delhi. He
attended the Ladakh Institute of Higher Studies, a Center for
Himalayan Buddhists. Dr. Gangnegi completed his MA, M.Phil.
and Ph.D degrees in Buddhist Studies in the Department of
Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi. Currently, he is a senior
lecturer and teaches Tibetan language and Tibetan Buddhism.
Dr. Gangnegi traveled with Nirmala Deshpande to join a
celebration of 1000 years of Tabo monastery in Spiti (HP). She
asked him to look after Harijan Sevak Sangh in Delhi, an
institution founded by the Mahatma Gandhi to eradicate
untouchability in the Indian social system. For the last two
years, he has served as secretary for Harijan Sevak Sangh
affairs.
C-18, Probyn Road, University of Delhi
Delhi, India 110007
Mobile: (91) 996-805-3119
E-mail: hpgnegi@uri.org
16
India,
India, South Zone
Dr. Abraham Karickam
Dr. Karickam holds a Ph.D in English and Inter-religious Studies and
MA degrees in History and English Literature. He served as Director
of Comparative Literature for Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla,under
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. He retired as Principal of Mar
Thoma College. A graduate of Bossey Ecumenical Institute, Geneva,
he has been involved in interfaith activities for past 20 years. He
serves as URI's South Zone Coordinator and President of of the
World Fellowship of Interfaith Students’ Movements. He trains young
adults in interfaith peacebuilding and is s Dean of URI Traveling
Peace Academy. He is the founder Director of URI International
Peace Research Instiute in Kerala, India. He is the author of 15
books. His recent books include: Concept of Salvation in the
Upanishads; the Bible and the Qur'an. He has edited a series of
books and organizes the International Interfaith Seminar on Holy
Books every alternate year in India.
Mundackal Buildings, Karickam P.O., Kottarakkara
Kerala, India 691531
Business: (91) 474-245-4087
Mobile: (91) 944-659-3013
E-mail: akarickam@uri.org
India, West Zone
Ms.
Ms . Qutub Kidwai
Ms. Kidwai has been working for interfaith harmony since her university
days. "In India, we often experienced violence in the name of religion,"
she says. "Therefore I was actively involved in youth and peacebuilding
programs. At present, I am involved in women's empowerment and
other related issues, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Humanity
-- not any particular community identity -- counts. I believe in tolerance
and propagating the gems of values present in all faiths and beliefs, as
well as sensitivity toward human needs and sufferings." What Ms.
Kidwai says she finds most compelling about URI is that it represents
hope in this war and conflict-prone world. "URI is a world of love,
peace and humanity in itself," she says.
URI West India Office, 504, 5th Floor, Ashiyana Tower, Relief Road,
Opp. Kabarastan, Oshiwara, Jogeshwari (West)
Mumbai, India 400103
Business: (91) 982-189-4350
E-mail: qkidwai@uri.org
17
Pakistan
Fr. James Channan
Fr. Channan is a Pakistani Christian and a Catholic priest, the head of the
Dominican Order in Pakistan. At present, he is serving as Director of the
Pastoral Institute, a Catholic establishment, and is working with the
Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with Islam. Fr. Channan
attended the Pontifical Institute for Islamic Studies and Arabic language
in Rome from 1982-85 and obtained a Licentiate Degree. He was also
awarded a Masters Degree in Counseling from Emmanuel College,
Boston, MA and received graduate credits from Harvard. Pope John Paul
II appointed him as Consultor for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue, the Vatican, and Fr. Channan served as Executive Secretary of
the National Commission for Christian Muslim Relations for 17 years. He
was the primary organizer of the URI's 1,500 miles Journey for Peace
from Karachi to Khyber.
Fr James Channan OP
125 B, Pak Arab Housing Scheme
Ferozepur Road
Lahore 54600
Pakistan
Tel. (92) 42- 3592 4566
Cell; (92)300- 8730 669
Email: jchannan@gmail.com
Website: www.uripakistan.org
EUROPE
Ms. Karimah K. Stauch
Ms. Stauch holds a MA degree in Economics. She also received a
MA degree in Islamic Studies at the University of Bonn, Germany.
She currently works for the IT Department of German Agro Action
(development NGO) in Bonn. She has been the Europe Regional
Coordinator since 2003 and is a member of the European
Executive Committee (EEC) of URI Europe. She also holds the
following positions: Vice-President of the German Muslim-League
Bonn, Inc.; founding member of the Central Council of Muslims in
Germany; member of the Council of the Sufi-order "Tariqah AsSafinah"; Vice-President of the Christian-Islamic Society (URI
Europe),; member of the planning team for "Standing Conference
of Jews, Christians and Muslims in Europe”; member of the
advisory board and adviser for Islamic questions for the ESWTR
Deutschland; and DMLBonn's delegate to the Muslim Council
Bonn.
Ahornweg 3
Bonn - Heiderhof, Germany D-53177
Business: (49) 228-230-476
E-mail: kstauch@uri.org
Website: www.uri-europe.eu
18
LATIN AMERICA
Position vacant, search in progress
MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA
Mr. Mamoun Khreisat
Mr. Khreisat holds a BA in Business from the University of Jordan.
Currently, he works in Amman Jordan for a commercial bank in charge
of the Global Trade Finance unit. He also is a workshop trainer in
Leadership, Teambuilding, and Effective Communication. Mr. Khreisat
has extensive volunteer experience. He is the founding member of the
Self-Improvement and Community Service Initiative and is a Youth
Officer with the EUROMED youth programs that offer young people
form Europe and Mediterranean countries opportunities to exchange
culture experiences. He is working with Seeds of Peace Cooperation
Circle, an American NGO dedicated to empowering young leaders
from regions in conflict to develop leadership skills for co-existence
and reconciliation.
P.O. Box 7693, Abdali-Parliament Street
Amman, Jordan 11118
Mobile: (962) 79-566-4141
E-mail: mkhreisat@uri.org
MULTIMULTI-REGION
Mr. Abdallah Hendawy
Abdallah Hendawy was born in the Mediterranean
Alexandria of Egypt, he holds a BA in Business
Administration and some advanced certificates in
peace and conflict studies. Hendawy is a dynamic
trainer in fields of Human Rights and Intercultural
Dialogue, he has conducted several workshops in
many countries and worked in different
international organizations. Hendawy is also
presenting a weekly talk show on TV commenting
on the current political situation in Egypt and write
regularly in some local newspapers as a political
commentator.
Cairo, Egypt
E-mail: ahendawy@uri.org
19
NORTH AMERICA
Search in progress
SOUTHEAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC
Search in progress
UNITED NATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Ms. Monica Willard
Ms. Willard helped organize the first URI gathering in New York
in 1997 and signed the URI Charter in June 2000 at the United
Nations garden. She has been at the UN since 1991 and began
representing the URI in 2002. Since 2005, Ms. Willard has
worked with member states and the UN system agencies to
promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation for peace. She is
actively involved in promoting the International Day of Peace on
Sept. 21. Most recently, she has worked with the Steering
Committee to create a general assembly resolution that
proclaims a "decade for interreligious cooperation for peace and
Understanding."
1809 Meadow Ridge Court
Bethlehem, PA, United States 18015
Business: (610) 625-2696 (phone & fax)
Mobile: (631) 697-7972
E-mail: mbwillard@uri.org
20
Global Support Staff
United Religions Initiative
The Presidio, P.O. Box 29242
San Francisco, CA 94129 USA
Business: (1) 415-561-2300
Business Fax: (1) 415-561-2313
office@uri.org
The Rt. Rev. William E. Swing
President & Founder
Founder
The Rev. Canon Charles P. Gibbs
Executive Director
Ms. Debra Bernstein
Associate Executive Director
E-mail: dbernstein@uri.org
Ms. Bernstein began her tenure with URI in November 2009. She
brings to URI extensive experience in strategic planning, evaluation,
and organizational and fund development. She was raised Catholic
with a lifelong commitment to social justice and has enduring interest
in other faith traditions’ teachings on justice. Ms. Bernstein has
worked her entire career in the nonprofit sector in executive
management and as a consultant for social change organizations. Her
approach focuses on increasing impact and sharing best practices in
the social sector through strategic long-term visioning, building and
repositioning organizational assets, and creating innovative solutions
for external and internal challenges. For the first 18 years of her
career, Ms. Bernstein worked in theater as an actress, writer, teacher
and producer. She served as Associate Chair of the Musical Theatre
Program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she
co-developed an innovative curriculum in the writing of new music
theater and opera with an emphasis on collaboration and story. She
holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Mills College.
21
Ms. Sally Mahé
Director of Regional Development
E-mail: smahe@uri.org
Core staff since 1996, Ms. Mahé helps lead URI from vision to practice,
supports international staff and regional development, and designs crosscultural interfaith gatherings. Ms. Mahé is co-author of Birth of a Global
Community: Appreciative Inquiry in Action, 2003; and, A Greater
Democracy Day by Day, 2004. She holds an M.Ed from Harvard and a
MA in Theology from General Episcopal Seminary. Prior to URI, she
developed a nationally recognized curriculum and trained teachers in the
basic principles of democracy.
Ms. Regan Murphy
Director of Development
E-mail: rmurphy@uri.org
For the past three years, Ms. Murphy has served as URI's Director of
Development. Prior to that, she was the Director of Development at
Episcopal Community Services and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
Ms. Pamela H. Banks
Director of Finance and Administration
E-mail: pbanks@uri.org
Pamela joined URI in March 2011 originally as a Fiscal Consultant
tasked with completing the annual audit, and then transitioning finance
department. In July 2011 she accepted the position of Director of
Finance and Administration. In 2000 as corporate finance was going
through various changes, Pamela discovered non-profit service was a
better fit for her skill set and was personally more rewarding. Her
background includes 20 years of accounting experience, with the last 10
years being exclusively in not-for-profit service.
Mr. Mark Mancao
Communications Manager
E-mail: mmancao@uri.org
Mr. Mancao joined URI in 2007. He recently managed URI’s 10th
Anniversary celebration, the redesign of URI.org, the Trustee Selection
Process 2007 to the present, the 2008 Bowes Awards and the Global
Assembly in India. Mark manages website content, online community
features, URI's brand, redesign of print and digital resources, community
surveys, and orientation/training resources.
22
Mrs.
Mrs. Julian Foley
Public Relations Coordinator
E-mail: jfoley@uri.org
Mrs. Foley joined URI’s development and communications teams in
September, 2010. She has been working as a writer and editor
since 2002. She became interested in interfaith cooperation while
doing research and editing for journalist Sandy Tolan’s powerful
book, "The Lemon Tree," published by Bloomsbury Publishing in
2006, about an unlikely friendship between an Arab and a Jew in
Ramla. She holds master’s degrees in Journalism and Latin
American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.
Ms.
Ms . Krithika Harish
Young Leaders
Leaders Program Coordinator
E-mail: kharish@uri.org
Born in India and raised within the Hindu Faith, Krithika holds a
bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis in
International Relations, with an emphasis in Peace and Security, as
well as a minor in Spanish. She previously worked in the California
Governor’s Office with the Schwarzenegger Administration as an
executive writer, and is involved in various community service
projects in the Bay Area. Ms. Harish has also done non-profit work
focusing on education and health in India.
Mr.
Mr. Matthew Youde
Global Youth Training Program Coordinator
E-mail: myoude@uri.org
Mr. Youde has a background in media and communications, specifically
in video work and publicity for non-profits. He is involved in Catholic
youth work in the UK and the support of refugees that arrive in the
country from overseas.
Mrs. Maria Eugenia Crespo
CC Global Support Coordinator
E-mail: mcrespo@uri.org
Mrs. Crespo has been connected with URI since June 1997, when
she participated in the Stanford Assembly following the first Buenos
Aires gathering in May of that year. She was elected Interim Global
Council member and was asked to serve as Latin America Regional
Coordinator with Andre Porto from 2000 through 2005. She is
Roman Catholic.
23
Ms. Kay LaVerne Markham
Executive Assistant/Office Manager
E-mail: kmarkham@uri.org
Ms. Markham, a Christian-Baptist, brings organizational skills, problem
solving and deep compassion for all people to her job at URI. What
she finds most compelling about URI is the incredible dedication of its
people. “As I interact with trustees, regional coordinators and global
support staff, I'm always amazed at the level of dedication,
compassion, acceptance, respect and cooperation exhibited by all of
the URI community. I'm honored to be a part of this much needed
organization,” she says.
Mr. Sam Ruben
Administrative Assistant to the President
E-mail: sruben@uri.org
Mr. Ruben serves as Executive Assistant to Bishop Swing and the
President’s Council. He previously served as a communications and
development assistant for URI from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Ruben was
involved with local interfaith work on a volunteer basis growing up in
Ann Arbor, MI. He served as Chair or Co-Chair of the Social Action
Committee of the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations for 8
years and has also served as both Teen and Young Adult
Representative to CSJO’s Board along with leading workshops on a
variety of topics at their yearly conference.
Ms. Brittany Hutchison
Grants and Communications Associate
E-mail: bhutchison@uri.org
Brittany received her B.A. in English Literature from Calvin College in
Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2004. She has been with URI since 2007.
Mr. Stephen Wang Fung Chow
Technical Support Associate
E-mail: schow@uri.org
In his role as Technical Support Associate, Mr. Chow works with IT
Manager, Mr. Deepak Jagannath, to provide IT support for the URI
office. Mr. Chow also actively supports the Finance Department with
expense reports, payroll, accounts payable, invoices, and other various
accounting job duties.
24
Africa
98 CCs in 26 countries
Africa Regional Conference in August 2011.
Ambassador Mussie Hailu, URI-Africa Regional
Director, presented the Go.den Rule Medal to
INSTITUTE President, Joseph K. Grieboski in
2011.
URI-Great Lakes led a non-violent elections campaign in
Uganda in 2011.
25
Over 100 people attended URI Foundation
Kenya’s IDP celebration in September 2011.
Ambassador Mussie Hailu, URI – Africa Regional Director for
Africa, received a Silver Star Award from the International
Strategic Studies Association (ISSA) for his work in
international relations and peacemaking in March 2011.
URI Regional Leadership Meeting in Uganda in 2011.
URI African Youth Ambassador, Ogaga
Maxwell, attended the Global Youth Summit
in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2011.
The URI-Great Lakes office and URI CCs in Uganda participated
in the IDP National celebrations in Gulu in 2011.
26
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Daniel Uforo
01BP 4229
Cotonou Benin
uribenincc@yahoo.com
ANGOLA
Comfort CC
Purpose: To visit the sick and elderly, and to
comfort and counsel women in domestic
violence situations.
BURKINA FASO
Description: The ending of the war opens a
new chapter in Angola. Now Angola can
move towards the fulfillment and achievement
of its development goals. The progress of
Angola requires the inclusion of all Angolans.
In this respect, it is critically important for our
CC to participate in the building up of a new
mentality and a new vision of Angolan society
as well as the spreading of the word of unity
and tolerance. We have visited leprosy
colonies and we are involved in educating and
counseling on HIV/AIDS.
URI Burkinabe
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation, a
culture of peace and the Golden Rule in
Burkina Faso.
Description: We managed to bring people
from different faiths to work together for
culture of peace and we all believe in the
preamble, purpose and principles of URI. Our
aspirations are to promote the purpose and
principles of URI in Burkina Faso.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jorge Panguene
FAO. 197 Rua Major Kanhangulo
P. O. Box 1335
Luanda
Angola
jpanguene@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Yamba Elie Ouedraogo
06 BP 9293
Burkina Faso
(226) 50 36 92 21
(226) 76 61 1345
yambaelie@yahoo.fr
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Odete Maninguange
FAO. 197 Rua Major Kanhangulo
P.O. Box 1335
Luanda
Angola
(293) 3-328-953
maninguane@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Maguirata B. Kontougme Sama
06 BP 9293
Burkina Faso
(226) 50 36 92 21
(226) 76 61 1345
yambaelie@yahoo.fr
BENIN
BURUNDI
United Religions Initiative Benin CC
Initiatives Pour Le Development Integre
(I.D.I.)
(I.D.I .)
Purpose: To promote enduring daily interfaith
cooperation, to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace,
justice, and healing for the mother earth and
all living beings.
Purpose: To enhance overall social
development and environmental protection.
Description: Our CC members are followers
of different religions who work together for
27
BP1782 Ngozi
Burundi
(257) 22218551
(257) 77754339
common issues in Burundi such as promoting
environmental protection and social
development in the country.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Licius Karenzo
29, Avenue de la Mission
562 Bujumbura
Burundi
(257) 22-24-3315
(257) 22-25-9213
(257) 29-92-8587
licius.karenzo@ajop.org
CAMEROON
New Jerusalem Ministry CC
Purpose: To promote one God, one aim, one
earth, and one people.
Description: One of our CC's main activities
is to organize meetings and discussions of
love and unity between people of different
religions and beliefs.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Blaise Nsengiyumva
Nykabiga I , 6TH Avenue 13
1256 Bujumbura
Burundi
(257) 22-24-3315
(257) 22-25-9213
(257) 79-59-3109
blaisengi@yahoo.fr
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Johaness D. Biyick
BP 5000 Douala
Cameroon
(237) 450-5357
pastorjohaness@yahoo.ca
Rift Valley Peace Initiative and
Integrated Development RPID
CONGO
Purpose: To promote and strengthen peace
in the Rift Valley Region.
Congolese Association for the
Salvation and the Life
Description: Our CC´s aspiration is to break
barriers among religious believers. We meet
regularly and share information on peace
initiatives.
Purpose: To promote the welfare of the
population, in the whole concept of the word,
and to support religious and moral education
in favor of peace and mutual tolerance.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Muhimuzi Bencit
Ngabara, QG
BP1680 Buzumbura
Burundi
(257) 22249723
(257) 22232263
(257) 77802474
beneisabur@yahoo.com
Description: Our CC promotes peace and
tolerance and does our best to alleviate the
great poverty and sufferings of the population,
particularly in the countryside. We do this
through the creation of mini-projects, the
creation of a credits, building a small hospital
and a small boarding school. Above all,
setting up a modern sawmill in order to
provide employment to the young given that I
am myself the owner of a rich land/forest not
yet exploited in which we can find a lot of
wood and where I can exploit the mechanized
agriculture.
Secondary Contact
Contact:
ntact:
Jean Pierre Ngabonziza
Mivo
28
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Aloise M. Goma
PO Box 1873
Brazzaville
Congo
(99) 242-713-06
DEMOCRATIC
EMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
THE CONGO
United For Peace, DRC
Purpose: To promote peace in our country
and worldwide in spite of diversity of beliefs
and religions.
Coordination Des Confessions
Relgiouses Congolaises De Lutte
Contre Le Vih/Sida (Corec)
Description: We are youth from various
organizations here in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo united for the cause of peace in
our country and worldwide. Most of us are
volunteers from various organizations who
belong to different religions and beliefs.We
are attracted to URI because of its work for
peacebuilding and reconciliation. As there
was a civil war in our country, we found the
work of URI very important and relevant. We
value very highly the work of URI.
Purpose: To coordinate, follow up and assess
activities of all Congolese Religious against
the fight of HIV/AIDS in Congo Brazzaville.
Description:
Description: We have been working on
addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS and caring
for people who are living with the virus. Our
main work is removing stigmatization. Since
we have many followers of different religions
in our network, we will use the charter of URI
as a guiding principle in our work and act
according to the PPPs of URI Charter. We
plan to organize a big campaign to teach
more about HIV/AIDS in schools and social
gatherings throughout the country.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Aimé M. Pingi
United Nations Association of DRC
Vivi 35, Q/Wenze, C/Kintambo
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo
(243) 818-109-062
aimepingi@yahoo.fr
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jean Bruno Ndzoundou
116, Rue Mbokos Poto Poto II Brazzaville
Brazzaville
Congo
(242) 5369301
(242) 5783998
(242) 4081328
jb_ndzoundou@yahoo.fr
ETHIOPIA
Family Peace to Family Association
Purpose: To assist and support the family unit
by helping parents realize the impact of family
on their children's character, to teach youth to
value the benefits of a good marriage, to build
the capacity of married couples to appreciate
and respect the institution of marriage, and to
build the capacity of the already existing
institutions dealing with the issues arising in
the family in Ethiopia.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Bienvenu Kokolo
2000 Avenue Loutassi ( Moungali)
Brazzaville
Congo
(242) 5232312
(242) 6441828
bkokolo@yahoo.fr
Description: We have celebrated the
International Family Day in collaboration with
Interfaith Peace Building Initiative; scholars,
29
Mussie Hailu
P.O. Box 7785
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
(251) 11-6-627-237 (URI Africa office)
(251) 1-1416-2425
(251) 9-11-202-503
mussiepeace@yahoo.co.uk
government bodies, students and
representatives of different associations
attended the program.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Tibebe A. Seyoum
N/L/K/K Kebele /02
19551 Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
(251) 1-911-62-72-76
f_p_f_a@yahoo.com
Modern Information
Information Center For Persons
With Disabilities
Interfaith PeacePeace- building Initiative
Purpose: To empower persons with
disabilities by helping them to find educational
opportunities.
Purpose: To establish a neutral platform
wherein people of different religions and faith
groups can come together to engage in
constructive dialogue and make religions a
healing force in Ethiopia and in the world.
Description: We are attracted to URI
because of its over all purpose and because it
is a people's movement. We value URI for
what it is. Our CC members strongly believe
in the need of caring and creating a better
opportunity for people that are living with
disabilities.
Description: The Interfaith Peace-building
Initiative (IPI) is a peace organization which
has been working actively since 2003 to
promote interfaith cooperation, a culture of
peace, harmony, constructive dialogue and
the Golden Rule. It is a nongovernmental
peace organization legally registered with the
Ministry of Justice in Ethiopia. IPI was
established by concerned citizens from
different religions here in Ethiopia that
strongly believe that religions should play an
important role in building trust and promoting
a culture of peace, healing and reconciliation.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Emebet Zewde
Arada /K/K Kebele 15/16
26811 code 1000
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
(251) 1-911-40-87-43
Professional Alliance for Development
in Ethiopia (PADET)
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Aissetu Barry
P.O. Box 11274
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
ipi@ethionet.et
www.ipiethiopia.org
Purpose: To support vulnerable communities
to improve their livelihood through
participatory and sustainable development
programs.
Description: PADET wishes to see
empowered citizen group enjoying their life
necessities. Our activities focus on promoting
of reproductive health and food security, and
we have achieved remarkable outcomes in
terms of improving livelihood of target groups.
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Bizuayehu Abiy
P.O. Box 11274
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
ipi@ethionet.et
www.ipiethiopia.org
30
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Amare W. Degaga
365 Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
(251) 011-466-6683
(251) 011-348-2606
(251) 911-406-703
amarewor16@yahoo.com
GAMBIA
URIURI - The Gambia CC
Purpose:
Purpose: To ensure that people of different
faiths, including animists in Gambia, continue
to live in peace and unity.
Description: We believe that the peace that
has prevailed on our country for many years
should be firmly consolidated and spread to
other countries. We have been working with
the International Society for Human Rights in
Gambia since 1991 for the promotion of
peace and cooperation between Christians
and Muslims.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Habtamu A. Getu
365 Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
(251) 114-666-683
(251) 911-632-238
habtiye@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Amusat Bello
38 Fitzgerald/Grant Street
P.O. Box 80
Banjul
Gambia
tivkar@mailcity.com
GABON
New Jerusalem Unity CC
Purpose: To unify all religious beliefs and
unite the world through God, who has been
revealed through many prophets and
prophecies.
KENYA
Description: We have begun to work towards
unification of all the religions, traditions, and
beliefs in Africa in general (and even the
world!) and Gabon in particular. We hold
common celebration days.
Angalidom Interreligious Peaceology
International CC
Purpose: To implement the global strategy of
saving the unprotected neglected street kids
worldwide.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Azzah Agustah
rev.azzah@yahoo.com
Description: Our Anglidom Street Kids
International CC is the United Citizens for
Peace Chapter in the Vihiga District in
Western Kenya, East Africa. This CC was
commenced by street kids and the youngsters
of the training department of Street Kids
Educators, Anglidom Street Kids Academy of
Lumbatania. We are deeply committed to
involving younger people in interfaith work.
This CC will use music to draw young people
to learn about peace and join our movement.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Johaness D. Biyick
BP 5000 Doula
Cameroon
pastorjohaness@yahoo.ca
31
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Angali Musinde
Lumbatania Castle
P.O. Box 88
50317 Chavakali
Kenya
0724-491017
angalimusinde@yahoo.com
Prayer for Peace CC
Purpose: To gather and pray on a regular
basis for peace among nations and peoples of
the world.
Description: We meet once a month to pray
for peace. We believe in the power of prayer.
We hope to increase our membership and
work at being people of peace.
Global InterInter- faith Alliance Against
Human Trafficking GIFAAH
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Margret Derek
Miss Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
P.O. BOX 76275
00508 Nairobi
Kenya
msolaptr@wananchi.com
Purpose: To halt human trafficking practices
worldwide through the collaborative effort of
URI CCs.
Description: We train our members to
understand human trafficking concepts,
activities and trends. We developed a
worldwide network of faith – based HT victim
support services.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Father Luigi Morell
Missionaries of Africa
Nairobi
Kenya
(254) 20-557605
LuigiMorell@padribiani.it
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sarah A. Simons
P.O. Box 79741
00200 Nairobi
Kenya
(254) 734-661-116
(254) 720-874-259
sagnelasimons@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.proactivestewardint.org/webmail
Prolife Interfaith Kenya
Purpose:
Purpose: Our purpose is to economically and
socially empower youth and society at large to
become self-reliant and responsible members
of society, and to make life better for all
people in the world irrespective of their race,
color, tribe or faith.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Abdulghani H. Duale
P.O. Box 79741
Nairobi
00200 Kenya
(254) 734-661-116
(254) 720-874-259
sagnelasimons@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.proactivestewardint.org/webmail
Description:
Description: This group began as a village
youth group in a rural area in the western part
of Kenya with only 20 members in 2008, just
after the post-election violence in our country.
We wanted to help ourselves as youth and
envisioned helping other less fortunate people
of the community like orphans and families
affected by the violence too. We did so by
uniting ourselves not withstanding our faiths
which initially were dividing us. Here we are
now joining URI. We had a common aim to
make life better for all people in the world
32
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lucy Muthoni
P.O. Box 60311
00200 Nairobi
Kenya
(254) 020-559-9853
(254) 020-559-636
(254) 072-222-3151
luckebri@yahoo.com
irrespective of their race, color, tribe or faith.
Some of the activities that we are involved in
are: 1) Cattle keeping – where we pool
money to buy calves which are reared, then
lent to members for breeding. One calf is
returned to the group in appreciation. 2)
Green groceries – the group pools money to
buy seedlings for the vegetables and when
the crop is harvested, they give 10% of the
proceeds back to the group. 3) Exam Project
– this is in the pipeline. The group is already
registered with the Ministry of Gender, Sports
and Culture in Vihiga District.
Single & Widow/ Widowers
Association SAWA
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Evans I. Kinavuli
P.O. Box 154
50313 Mbale Town
Kenya
(254) 0710152501
prolifekenya@yahoo.com
evanshuga@yahoo.co.uk
Purpose:
Purpose: To maintain and improve the living
standards of the families under the SAWA
umbrella who have been struck by tragedy
that affects their financial ability and well
being; to prevent their economic status from
declining into poverty; and to prevent the
increase in poverty level of the nation.
Description:
Description Our group meets every Monday
for arts and crafts. Everyone has to save a
minimum of ksh.50 per week. We save money
and give loans to the members to sustain
themselves. We printed a booklet to record all
the savings of all the individuals. On the
booklet there is a logo with a caterpillar and
butterfly. The caterpillar signifies that people
look down on widow and widowers, and the
butterfly symbolizes that when you live with
dignity you fly like a beautiful butterfly and
multiply.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Collins S. Adagi
(254) 0712201285
Salaam CC
Purpose: To live and work peacefully together
as a way to bring peace into the world.
Description: Our CC's activities include
visiting Nairobi slums and visiting the elderly
who don't have anyone to take care of them.
Once a month, members of the CC visit these
areas to help clean the homes, wash clothes
for the elderly and provide food. Our future
plans are to expand our work to include other
activities in slum areas.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Martha Makhambi
(254) 725 834 595
shenje68@yahoo.com
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Arpana Sarkar
(254) 727 525 346
arpanasarkar@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Marie Cloutier Msola
P.O. Box 3615
Nyao Stadium
00506 Nairobi
Kenya
(254) 2-55-61-82
msolasb@nbi.ispkenya.com
Lydia Kola
(254) 727 525 346
naithikola@yahoo.com
33
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Annirene Nyambura Mundia
(254) 2-0522-488-89/90
rattanchanna2001@yahoo.com
Somali Forum for Progress
Purpose: To promote interfaith and
multicultural debate and dialogue.
Description: Promoting peace through
interfaith and multicultural dialogue. We have
already organized different public events.
LIBERIA
Association of Disabled Females
International
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Abdihakim Aynte
Westland, Kaplan Floor
00610-6965 Nairobi
Kenya
(254) 711-417-400
abdihakim.aynte@gmail.com
www.somaliprogress.org
Purpose: To promote and encourage
interfaith cooperation and to seek non-violent
approaches to religious conflict.
Description: Our Chapter focuses on helping
females with disabilities. We also hold
awareness and evangelical activities in various
communities to teach about religious
tolerance, peaceful environment and
accepting each other regardless of different
religious beliefs.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Maija Kajava
Helsinki
Finland
(35) 840-533-0757
maijakajava@gmail.com
www.somaliprogress.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Esther Seton-Care
P.O. Box 3902
Monrovia
Liberia
dfemales@yahoo.com
United Religions of Nairobi CC
Purpose: To generate interest and awareness
about the work of URI in Kenya and to
promote harmony among the participating
religions.
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Vera R. Nyanway
P.O. Box 3902
Monrovia
Liberia
dfemales@yahoo.com
Description: We work towards creating
better understanding among the various
religions represented in Kenya. We are also
committed to promoting the name and work of
URI in Kenya.
Ricardia Dennis
P.O. Box 3902
Monrovia
Liberia
(231) 377-47-51785
dfemales@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Hamed Ehsani
P.O. Box 19-00621
Village Market
Nairobi
Kenya
hamedehsani@gmail.com
34
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Cliff M. Tebulo
Education Office
P.O. Box 2474
Blantyre
Malawi
clifftebulo@yahoo.com
MALAWI
Balaka CC
Purpose: To sensitize the youth of Balaka on
issues like HIV/AIDS, human rights, and
environmental degradation.
Description: Our CC mainly focuses on
conducting awareness campaign meetings on
the danger of HIV/AIDS. By the year 2010,
we hope that most of the youths of Balaka
should have civic education on issues like
HIV/AIDS, human rights, environmental
degradation, early marriages, etc.
Bvumbwe Cooperation Circle
Purpose: To fight AIDS/HIV and to promote
cooperation.
Description: Our CC holds HIV/AIDS
prevention programs in schools and
surrounding villages which include peer
education, workshops, and field trips. We
work with both local and international
organizations, ie, PSI, AIDS coordinating
committees, and churches.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
George A. Angachefu
c/o Dibag 27
265 Balaka
Malawi
(265) 545-459
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Synowden Bauleni
PO Box 58
Bvumbwe
Malawi
(265) 8 8147644
Blantyre CC
Purpose: To unite all Malawians, look after
the needy, and facilitate peace among people
of different faiths.
Chapomoka CC
Description: We have focused on behavioral
change in youth, youth-friendly services and
interfaith alliances amongst people of different
religions. Some of the youth-friendly services
have been aired on Radio FM 101. Also, we
encourage people to participate in forums
intended to build mutual respect and dialogue
and to foster peace.
Purpose: To work in accordance to URI's
Preamble, Purpose, and Principles, and to
assist flood victims.
Description: We meet every fortnight to
discuss peace and interfaith cooperation. We
hold assemblies and meetings for people of
all religions; during one such meeting, people
expressed the need for a collaborative effort
to stop violence in the area. We also conduct
meetings for youth to tell them about the need
for peace. We hope that this will change the
attitude of people in the area, and we plan to
encourage religious leaders to preach about
peace in their denominations.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jones T. Laviwa
P.O. Box 2733
Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 641-331
card@Malawi.Net
35
and widowed. We hope to do a lot of such
visits around the area.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Felson Galafa
P.O. Box 63
Ngabu
Malawi
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Prescott Mkhwema
Chirimba Cooperation Circle
c/o Mr.F.G ilemba, private Bag 51
Blantyre
Malawi
Chigumula CC
Purpose: To foster inter-religious dialogue.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Beatrice L. Nyirenda
P.O. Box 2001
Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 093-005-32
rehaatinitiative@yahoo.co.uk
Description: To assist orphans and the
elderly, educating them on peace and
HIV/AIDS through plays and songs. The most
memorable activities were when we went from
village to village telling people about URI and
peace. Another activity, done jointly with
Chisapi students, was when we donated food
and clothes to the orphans and the elderly in
our area. Our hope and plans are that we
reach all villages around our CC to tell people
about URI by conducting workshops for
village headmen, chiefs, religious leaders,
politicians and business people.
Community Care and Support Trust
(CAST) Cooperation Circle
Purpose: To advance the spirit of living and
working in harmony, as well as supporting
each other regardless of origin, skin color,
creed, tradition, religious or cultural beliefs,
and to make the world a better place for all
living beings.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bwanali Marko
PO Box 5060
Limbe
Malawi
Description: Our CC's activities so far have
included: helping clean a pediatric ward at
Queen Elizaberth Central Hospital in Blantyre;
meeting with different religious leaders and
community members to tell them about URI's
preamble, purpose and principles; visiting the
elderly and sick, including HIV/AIDS infected
and affected households; and practicing
equitable participation of women and men in
all aspects of our CC's activities.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lucius Kalungwe
P.O. Box 5060
Limbe
Malawi
(265) 9-321-624
Chirimba CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shy A. Ali
Box 3074
Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 999140267
(265) 999140267
libashy@yahoo.com
Purpose: To unite people from different
religions.
Description: Chirimba CC has been to a
number of villages, such as Mwachande, and
we have donated clothing items to orphans
and the elderly, and some of these are blind
36
the best example promoting peace building,
human rights activities and transparency. We
hope our people will benefit from our group
and stop domestic violence.
Secondary Contact
Contact:
Benjamin M. Longwe
Box 3074
Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 888 554 239
(265) 888 554 239
benjaminlongwe@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lazarus Chilongo
C/o P/Bag 3,
Bwengu, Mzuzu
Malawi
(265) 08-550-356
Community Youth in Development
Activities (COYIDA) CC
Lilongwe CC
Purpose: To facilitate the empowerment of
local communities for improved living
standards and socio-economic development,
with special focus on youth and children.
Purpose: To unite all Malawians, look after
the needy, and facilitate peace among people
of different faiths.
Description: Our CC's activities so far have
included: providing farming support,
construction of community grain banks and
shallow wells for 60 communities, and holding
interdenominational meetings and capacity
building meetings to support community
development.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jones T. Laviwa
P.O. Box 2733
Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 641-331
card@Malawi.Net
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Patrick J. Mwale
P.O. Box 58
Luwerezi, Mzimba
Malawi
(265) 8-58-265
coiydamalawi2005@yahoo.ie
Makungwa CC
Purpose: To assist orphans and the elderly.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bernard Phiti
P. O. Box 58
Bvumbwe
Malawi
(265) 889-1330
khalaumba@clcom.net
CRECCAP
Purpose: To expand the promotion of an
enduring daily interfaith cooperation, to end
religiously motivated violence and create
cultures of peace, justice and healing for the
Earth and all living beings.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lingo Elleman
Buumbwe Model School
PO Box 27
Buumbwe
Malawi
(265) 8-891330
khalaumba@clcom.net
Description: We believe that URI Charter
can make people unite, promote peace and
culture and prevent domestic violence so we
are committed to share it with different
communities. We can make a change by
changing our own behavior. We want to be
37
Malawi
(265) 991-8326
JonesMwalwanda@yahoo.com
Mangochi United Religions CC
Purpose: To help the needy and elderly
people in our community. To help the sick
people, our members and sometimes others.
To help at funerals by providing cloth for
covering the dead who are muslims and
providing timber for coffins to members who
are Christian.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Peter Mapemba
PO Box 240
Lirangwe, Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 991-856-56
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Dennis N. Kulua
PO Box 313
Mangochi
Malawi
Mulunguzi CC
Purpose: To promote cooperation and
harmony among different religious affiliations,
and to assist orphans and the needy.
Matindi CC
Description: Our members come from nine
villages in Mikolongwe area in the district of
Chiradzulu. Our activities include uniting
leaders of the various religious affiliations to
work together in promoting peace and
stability and HIV/AIDS awareness and
prevention education through songs, dramas,
plays, recitals, discussions, and debates.
Purpose: To promote enduring daily interfaith
cooperation, to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace,
justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.
Description: We are a community-run,
community-based, non-profit and nonpartisan youth group established in 2001.
Our group was initiated by young people from
different religions. Our major goal is to
mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in our
society. We are implementing a youth-toyouth project with funding from the Global
Aids Interfaith Alliance. The project targets
people aged 14-30 years old and focuses on
behaviour change. We have established 11
youth clubs and trained 60 peer educators
who share the information with fellow young
people in their particular areas. We have
distributed 1,000 T-shirts advocating for
voluntary counseling and testing. Our other
activities include awareness campaign
meetings, the establishment of youth clubs,
peer education training, and counseling.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
M. Chikopa
Box 49
Mikolongwe Malawi
(265) 9-938-4654
Naotcha CC
Purpose: To reduce the infection of HIV/AIDS
in our community.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kondwani Bulamayele
Box 36
Soche BT 4
Blantyre
Malawi
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mwalwanda Jones
PO Box 240
Lirangwe, Blantyre
38
Sharp Valley CC
National Interdenomination Alliance
Cooperation Circle ( NIDA )
Purpose: To work with URI so that peace
prevails in our area, and to assist the elderly.
Purpose: To bring people together of
different religions with the aim of sharing
religious experiences and beliefs, and to
economically empower the members in order
to change their standard of living.
Description:
Description: Our CC's activities include:
inviting religious leaders to discuss how to
curb religious conflicts in our area, conducting
a fornight of prayers of love and peace,
sharing peacebuilding skills and religious
dialogue with people of different religions. We
hope that the entire community will be
participate fully for a better Malawi and world.
Description: The Interdenomination Alliance
(NIDA) was formed by members from different
denominations. Our activities include
providing training to members of different
denominations on how to interact with one
another, providing income generating
activities such as small businesses,
empowering members through gardening and
livestock production so as to ensure their
livelihood at community level, and providing
vocational training skills to helpless members
such as tailoring etc., in order to enhance their
independence.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Donald Betha
Sharp Valley School
P.O. Box 49
Bwanje
Malawi
Thunga CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Elina Mbiri
c/o P/B 6, Soche
4 Blantyre, Malawi
Purpose: To assist orphans and the needy.
Description: We have been busy for the past
year disseminating information to awaken
people to the dangers of HIV/AIDS in our
community. We encourage voluntary
counseling and testing. We have also
renovated houses of some of the elderly
members of our community, and assisted
them with a little money.
Salima CC
Purpose: To end religiously motivated
violence and create culture of peace, as well
as working for the social development of girls
and women.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Alex Mabedi
Mlambala F.P. School
P.O. Box 60
Bvumbwe
Malawi
(265) 147-1651
khalaumba@clcom.net
Description: We organized an Islam-Christian
peace debate in March 2006. We managed
to meet a group of Muslims and share peace
process with them. We plan to expand our
working force to include more people from
different religions.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Hebert Makanjira
P.O. Box 511
Salami, Malawi
(265) 9-261-740
39
pregnancies to go back to school with the
effort from religious leaders.
Tigwirane Manja Cooperation Circle
Purpose: To promote love and peace among
the elderly, the sick and orphans living in both
the rural and urban areas of Malawi through
the following services: introducing home
based care after training the caretakers;
providing the sick with general care, food, and
medicine; providing orphans with the basic
necessities of food, clothing, education etc.;
and building houses for elderly.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ian Wisiki
P.O. Box 31702
Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 9-309-504
youthmw@yahoo.co.uk
MOZAMBIQUE
Description: Our members are from the
Chilobwe Township in Blantyre District in the
southern part of Malawi. Our aim is to engage
in various activities to promote love and peace
among the elderly, the sick and orphans living
in both rural and urban areas. It is also our
desire to try and reduce the spread of HIV
AIDS epidemic for better standard of living.
We are determined to work together as one,
which is the meaning of our CC name
Tigwirane Manja.
Association for Reduction of Absolute
Poverty CC
Purpose: To organize activites, projects and
means for reduction of absolute poverty.
Description: We dream of sustainable
income for the poor, and we organize
initiatives and projects that support this such
as professional training like carpentry and
locksmith, the production and selling of
goods, and animal rearing. We also conduct
and run a nursery center and pre-primary
school for poor children, and provide health
aid and counseling for women.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Grey Kasamale
Box 2486
Blantyre
Malawi
(265) 9-965-0642
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jacinto Temele
Rua Oliviera Martins #1237
4487 Maputo
Mozambique
Youth Actions in Development (YADA)
CC
Purpose: To put the vision of URI into action.
Description: Our CC has been teaching
young people about HIV/AIDS and sexual and
reproductive health, in order to shape the
youth to become productive citizens. We have
an orphan and vulnerable children center,
where orphans and vulnerable children are
given basic education as any other children
who have parents that can support their early
education. We intend to open a youth center
and are working to encourage adolescent
girls who drop out of school because of
Association Homeopathia de
Mozambique CC
Purpose: To introduce homeopathy and other
holistic treatments as alternative medicines,
and to train and teach others to help the poor
and sick.
Description: This CC consists of trained
homepathic/holistic staff who assist with the
treatment of cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other
diseases for the poor in their community. They
40
issues including HIV/AIDS, malaria, cholera,
drugs and abuse of women, etc. We also
annually celebrate World Religions Day on the
third Sunday in January. We also have
representation at Government functions as
well as all Nongovernmental Organization and
civil society events. We also hold seminars,
workshops, and conferences on diverse
issues. Our organization also promotes
peace-building, moral education, etc.
also provides free weekly homepathy/holistic
trainings and counseling on health.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Qudsiah Vajihe Yaganagi
Post Office Box No. 109
Maputo
Mozambique
qudsieh9@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bishop Gonsalves Magagule
PO Box 369
Maputo
Mozambique
(258) 826 315 690
mcorem@yahoo.com
Association Ntwananu Mozambique CC
Purpose: To educate people in our
community so they may have a better life, to
run projects to empower women
economically, and to encourage inter-religious
dialogue.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ethwaldo Hipolito
P.O. Box No. 109
Maputo
Mozambique
(258) 1-494-265
ibonews@tvcabo.co.mz
Description: We have contributed to running
of the primary school in Costa Do Sol where
there are several hundred poor children
studying. We managed to get the school
registered so that next year on the text books
and the teachers' salaries will be paid by the
government. The active members of our CC
are not more than 10 and are of diverse
religious backgrounds, we have been able to
join forces and work as one. We continue to
get a better understanding of URI objectives,
but in the small study groups that are going to
be organized we will be better equipped to do
this.
Escola Cumintaria Ntwananu CostaCostadeldel - Sol CC
Purpose: To educate children to serve the
nation and mankind, and to hold inter-religious
moral activities.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Luisa Rodrigue Sales
1781 Av. Ahmed Sekou Toure
Maputo
Mozambique
Description: Most of our CC members are
teachers who work at the school. Our attitude
and actions to promote inter-religious
understanding among the 350 primary school
poor children are in themselves educationally
complimentary to what they learn at school,
how to read and write, etc. In addition, we
have weekly moral classes where they learn
about virtues. They are also taught sewing
and ceramics, which may help those who are
not academically inclined acquire skills for
possible future professions. Occasionally they
benefit from visiting religious leaders who talk
to them about good conduct, etc.
Council of Religions in Mozambique
Purpose: To promote inter-religious unity,
cooperation, peace and justice.
Description: Our CC organises interreligious activities for dialogue and
understanding, and is also involved in health
41
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Tinga Rungu
PO Box 109
Maputo
Mozambique
Escola Tecnica de Ciencias de
Medicina Alternativa CC
Purpose: To educate children and
adolescents on health and life skills.
Description: This CC's focus has been the
establishment of a school for training teachers
who can educate children and adolescents on
health and life skills.
Escola Ntwananu Matola RIO CC
Purpose: To help the poor and work for
peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Galema Chothia
Rua Marginal 4501
Maputo
Mozambique
galema@tvcabo.co.mz
Description: The members of this CC
belong to a school that caters to training
women from the age of 18 to 45 who are from
broken up poor families, some of whom are
the head and earning member of the family
with an average of five children. This school
is self sufficient with the help of financial
assistance from a German Association
helping in Mozambique. They constructed
classrooms with the local government
authorities for training these women in the
fields of sewing/tailoring, ceramics, cultivation
of medicinal plants, and kitchen-gardening.
Sewing machines were donated by the
German Association and some of the women
students now, after learning in these classes,
have bought their own sewing machines and
run small, home based sewing businesses of
their own. A total of more than 80 women
have been trained and have benefited. The
desire of these women to form a CC came
about after 5 of these students and their
instructor attended the URI National
Conference at the invitation of URI
Mozambique.
InterInter- Religious URI CC Namaacha
Purpose: To be instrumental in establishing
peace.
Description: Our highlights of activities so
far have been regular interfaith meetings
where we discuss and make decisions jointly
to take action against our common enemies
like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, and cholera; to
combat against poverty and crime; and to
educate and establish good relationships for
peace in our locality, in the nation, Africa and
the world. Our action for the future is to
collaborate with all like minded institutions
and to work for Peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
AlexAndre Z. Vilanculo Sabino Machara
No. 25-26 Restuarante Kanimambo,
Estrada Nacional
Namaacha
Mozambique
(258) 82-735-1950
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jorge Migel
PO Box 109
Maputo
Mozambique
42
Mozambique
(258) 82-773-708
scout.moz@tvcabo.co.mz
Kulunguane Cultural Association CC
Purpose: To exalt our culture and traditions in
many aspects like dance, music, theatre and
literature.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Julio V. Langa
Rua Trinidade de Coelho 83 2
Maputo
Mozambique
(258) 82-748-131
juliolanga4@netscape.net
Description: We participate in many interreligious activities and sponsor a cultural
project to help the poor in Manhica, Maputo
Province.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Carlos Fernandes
Rua Rufino de Olivera
No. 77 R/C
Maputo
Mozambique
(258) 1-426-508
kulunguane@yahoo.com
Medecina Alternativa CC
Purpose: To promote and serve as alternative
medicine to cure the sick
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Telmo Mascarenhas
1781 Av. Ahmed Sekou Toure
Maputo Mozambique
(258) 1-431-846
qudisah@hotmail.com
L iga Dos Escuteiros De Mozambique
CC
Purpose: To contribute to the education of
young people through a value system based
on Scout Promise and Law.
United Religions CC Beira
Description: Our CC was created by
members of the League of Scouts of
Mozambique and co-operated with the InterReligious Council of Mozambique. Our aim is
to promote education of the culture of peace,
Scouting and the development of young
people in achieving their full physical,
intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as
individuals, as responsible citizens and as
members of their local, national and
international communities. The method of
achieving this aim is by providing enjoyable
trainings and discussion, organizing national
and international events, and promoting
values based on religious values as well as
the Scout Promise and Law.
Purpose: To work towards establishing world
peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Leonardo Adamowicz
Maputo, C.P. 3610
Maputo
Description: Our activities include a moral
and religion education program, small projects
for income, and inter-religious activities.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Orlando Amedeu Tone
Central Correios e Tellecomunicacoes CCT
Beira
Mozambique
(258) 23324390
(258) 848868677
URI Dondo CC
Purpose: To spread the word of God and to
establish love and peace.
43
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Emmanuel A. Ivorgba
Dadin Kowa Last Gate
P.O. Box 6545/6451
Jos Plateau State
Nigeria
(234) 0805-2627-310
secretariat@acydfoundation.org
www.acydfoundation.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Henrique E. Mandlate
Rua Da cadeia #2
PO Box 188
Dondo, Sofala Mozambique
(258) 3-950-194
sabapathy@tvcabo.co.mz
Women for Peace CC
Secondary
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Robert I. Hope
NEEDCSI
Dadin Kowa, Opposite Kumar Mill,
Inside CMIA Premises
234 Jos-Plateau State
Nigeria
info@needcsi.org
www.needcsi.org
Purpose: To organize, promote and work for
peace.
Description: We are women folk who get
together for prayers, meditation, and service
to the poor and needy children. Most often
when religious communities meet, women are
in the background while men dominate the
show. This situation led to women forming our
own group because we wanted to have the
opportunity to voice our own views and create
our own programs for peace, etc. Several
meetings were held and a core group decided
to form the Women for Peace CC which
includes women leaders from all religious
communities in Mozambique.
ElEl - bethel Global Initiative
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote peace,
good governance and a violence free society.
Description:
Description El-bethel Global Initiative
(Centre for Youth Empowerment and
Leadership Development) is a nongovernmental and non-profit making
organization. It is formed with the aim of
addressing the challenges of youth to ensure
the full realization of their potential and
relevance in national development efforts. We
carry out our activities on community
development, leadership trainings on peace
promotion, good governance workshops, and
educational programs on HIV/AIDS among
the youth and in-school students.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Nedah A. Salgado
Rua Aortis Maria Matos
No. 47 1-d
Maputo
Mozambique
marie_gc@yahoo.com
NIGERIA
African Christian Youth Development
Fund
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Deborah D. Ajai
Plot M358/ M359, National Judiciary Institute
Quarters, Opposite Fakad Eatery, Dutsen
Alhaji, Kubwa FCT, Abuja Block B Flat 1, FCT
Abuja
Nigeria
(234) 81-3975-2883
(234) 80-2377-7854
elbethelginitiative@gmail.com
Purpose: To promote interfaith dialogue,
religious harmony and active youth
participation in the process of community
change, social transformation and the building
of bridges across cultural, religious and
geographical boundaries.
44
Description:
Description New Era Educational and
Charitable Support Foundation was
established in 2006 and formally registered in
Nigeria as a national non-profit organization,
and also in the State of Virginia-USA as a
Charitable Project of United Charitable
Program (UCP). We are committed to offering
inclusive and holistic paradigms of education
that prioritize experiential learning, crosscultural dialogue, and a global ethic of peace
and social justice. The organization actively
addresses and works on the issues of
education, peace and conflict mediation,
health and capacity building and leadership
development among the youth in Nigeria. Our
programs and projects focus on initiatives that
improve educational opportunities and provide
life skills, including self-confidence, goalsetting, problem-solving, conflict resolution,
and teamwork by equipping youth with
essential skills that will empower them to
become competent, confident, responsible,
and caring adults. Our values include: 1) a
sense of belonging to a common humanity; 2)
respect and consideration for all people; 3)
compassion and non-violence; 4) a
commitment to preserving the natural
environment; and 5) a social service ethic.
Visit www.needcsi.org for more information.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ronke V. Fagbemi
(234) 81-3975-2883
(234) 80-6572-2480
elbethelginitiative@gmail.com
Kaduna CC
Purpose: To understand each religion's
practices and to promote cultures of peace.
Description: Our CC's activities include
many interfaith meetings, workshops and
seminars on religion, and visits to social and
religious leaders.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
O. A. A. Kupoluyi
PO Box 1974
Kaduna
Nigeria
(234) 62-240-921
New Era Educational and Charitable
Support Foundation
Purpose:
Purpose: New Era Educational and
Charitable Support Foundation is a unique
organization whose mission is to build,
support and empower teams of youth with
capacities to emerge from a life on the
streets, drugs and dysfunctional families, to
becoming leaders capable of helping
themselves and their communities. We are
leading a movement that connects youth,
educators and communities and empowers
them to transform themselves from recipients
of information and resources into valuable,
contributing members of their communities.
We help young people discover and develop
their inherent gifts, talents and abilities and
support their development as ethically
responsible, self-disciplined and creative
social citizens capable of participation in a
positive and sustainable society.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ivorgba Ande Emmanuel
New Era Educational and Charitable Support
Foundation
Rabo House, No.1 Mazaram Road, Rayfield
P.0.B0X 6451
234 Jos, Plateau State
Nigeria
(234) 708-792-7295
(234) 805-262-7310
eivorgba@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ijigue M. Peter
New Era Educational and Charitable Support
Foundation
Rabo House, No. 1 Mazaram Road, Rayfield
P.O. Box 6451
234 Jos Plateau State
Nigeria
45
traditional, spiritual and modern healing
systems. One of our annual events is an
interfaith service project. We try to bring
together people from many different religious
communities in Nigeria to organize a service
project that benefits the entire community.
The youth benefit from these activities by
working together for a common purpose, and
it also helps the broader community to see
that interfaith cooperation is possible. This
focus on young people contributes to the URI
purpose of building future cultures of peace,
justice and healing.
(234) 805-705-7857
(234) 706-327-7910
accounts@needcsi.org
NURCC Nigerian United Religions CC
Purpose: To create interfaith and interreligious harmony.
Description: We educate students and
children about the importance of peace, and
we visit religious leaders, advising them to
stop preaching extremism.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Felix I. Mako
P.O. Box 261, Abor-Amawa
433107 Ogbunike, Anambra
Nigeria
(234) 080-6796-3392
cnokonkwo21@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Muhammad N. Yasin
77 Creek Road
Port Harcourt Nigeria
(234) 80-3754-7945
nuhuyasin@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ngozika C. Okonkwo
P.O. Box 261, Abor-Amawa
433107 Ogbunike, Anambra
Nigeria
(234) 080-6796-3392
cnokonkwo21@yahoo.com
United Religions Initiative Nigeria CC
Purpose: To support URI in peace-making
and other URI objectives as outlined in the
PPP. To care for the needs of all the world's
humanity, especially the poor and neglected.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Idah I. Offor
NITR PMB 2077
Kaduna State
Nigeria
(234) 62-241-255
(234) 62-213-267
chizoba.d.onuoha@spdc.shell.com
RWANDA
Rwanda Evil Fighters Through Talents
(REFTTA)
Purpose: To fight against any kind of evil.
Description: Our CC works to empower
youth to find employment to create better lives
for tomorrow.
Universal Church/Healing Center CC
Purpose: To teach universal and religious
practices for external healing and internal
peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mugabo A. Dodos
Kigali
Rwanda
(250) 788-219-724
modo62006@yahoo.co.uk
Description: We have focused on getting
both young and elderly people involved in
interfaith work and healing people through
46
Senegal
(221) 824-9063
(221) 825-7231
tivkar@mailcity.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nzeymana Sevge
Kigali
Rwanda
(250) 788627178
zemox02@yahoo.fr
SIERRA
SIERRA LEONE
SENEGAL
United Religions Interfaith Initiative
Sierra Leone
A.S.R.E.F.L.U. CC
Purpose: To end religiously motivated
violence.
Purpose: To contribute to a peaceful, free
expression of faiths throughout the world.
Description: Our group was formed by
representatives of different organizations and
like-minded individuals. We have been
working to promote peace, interfaith harmony
and understanding among youth in Serra
Leone.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Moussa Ndiaye
Cité Millionnaire No. 96
PB 948
Dakar
Senegal
(221) 827-62-60
(221) 827-87-64
sadi.progres33@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Donald B. Kalokoh
8 Peter Lane, Off Campbell Street
00232 Freetown
Sierra Leone
(232) 76-680-128
(232) 22-440307
(232) 76-680-128
donaldkalokoh@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mamadou Doudou Diagne
moussandiaye33@hotmail.com
URI West Africa Committee CC
Secondary Contact
Contact:
ontact:
Franklin Koroma
8 Peter Lane, Off Campbell Street
00232 Freetown
Sierra Leone
(232) 76-680-128
(232) 22-440307
(232) 76-680-128
donaldkalokoh@yahoo.com
Purpose: To promote interfaith dialogue
between Christians, Muslims and nonbelievers in West Africa.
Description: In collaboration with a Dutch
Reform mission, the West Africa Committee
CC started its activities in Gambia in 1991 to
consolidate peace and prevent religious
conflicts between Muslims and Christians and
to ensure that religious conflicts and violence
which has devastated our region is reduced.
URI Sierra Leone CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Davies Iber
Villa No 1574
Sicap Liberte II
BP17526 Dakar
Purpose: Uniting the strength of individuals
and organizations into a cohesive movement
to make the world a safer place.
47
(252) 1580-060
(252) 1593-6040
fartun@elmanpeace.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ibrahim S. Kamara
B27 King Harman Road
Via New England Ville
Freetown
Sierra Leone
(232) 22-241-685
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ali Shiek Yasin
(252) 159-360-40
fartun@elmanpeace.org
SOMALIA
Gender Education Empowerment and
Leadership Org. GEELO
Cogwo Coalition of Grassroots
Womens Organizations
Purpose: To empower the Somalian
Community.
Purpose: To promote human rights.
Description: Our organization was started by
committed people who want to help the
community through humanitarian aid and be
part of the solution for our country. We dream
of peace in Somalia and the entire world. We
are planning to support the pastoral/agro
community since the rainy season was not
enough. As we strongly subscribe to the
Preamble, Purpose, and Principles of URI, we
will use it as our guiding principle in our work.
Description: We create peace and harmony
in Somalia by empowering the Somali women
as women are the victim in many aspects in
Somalia. We highlight women issues and
work as a voice for oppressed women.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ahmed Mohamed Zahra
Mogadiscio Somalia
(252) 509-63125
Cogwo-org@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Zahra Mohamed Abtidon
Belet-weine Somalia
(254) 722 438 838
geelo114@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Naolig Sufi Aboli
Somalia
(252)162-963-125
cogwo-org@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact
Contact:
tact:
Faaduma Mohamed Haaney
Somalia
(252) 1585-9887
geelosom@gmail.com
Elman Peace and Human Rights Centre
Purpose: To advocate human rights and
development.
National Assoc.of Somali Science &
Environmental Journalists
Description:
Our
organization
was
established to advocate human rights and
development in Somalia. We work to
empower people through vocational training.
We are helping many young people to
establish their own businesses and get jobs.
Purpose: To promote environmental
protection.
Description: Our association was established
by journalists who have compassion for the
environment and highlight environmental
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Fartun Adam
48
rights. The highlight of our work is organizing
our country independence day on July 9,
2011. We will contribute to the development
of our new country through peace building
and promoting social harmony given the tribal
and religions diversity in South Sudan.
issues to engage Somalians in protecting the
environment.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Daiud Abdi
Mogadism Somalia
(252) 1223-421
(252) 1234-357
nassej@nassej.org
www.nassej.org
Primary Contact:
Nathniel Garang Aduot
(211) 955-083-866 (Business)
gaiangdeaduotdit@yahoo.com
coalotionssorg@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Bashir Mohamed
(252) 1223421
nassej@nassej.org
Secondary Contact:
Eunice Phil Jada
(211) 977-179-758 (Home)
(211) 9757-179-758 (Business)
eunicedudu@yahoo.com
Skype Name: eunice.pihilip.jadal
SOUTH AFRICA
Capetown Environmental CC
SUDAN
Purpose: To ensure that the environment
becomes sustainable and is not destroyed.
Al Khatim Center for Enlightenment &
Human Development KACE
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Roland Langley
Fairyknowe, 33 Keppel Street,
Walmer Estate
Woodstock
7925 Western Cape
South Africa
(27) 21-550-7510
(27) 21-447-2783
malvernc@blaauwberg.co.za
Purpose: KACE is a non-governmental and
non-profit organization which undertakes
research and campaign on issues pertaining
to peace, human rights and democratic
transformation. Its vision is to see a peaceful
democratic and truly multi-cultural Sudan,
where all people are equal in dignity, rights
and opportunities.
Description: We are promoting dialogue and
trust building to resolve conflict in the country.
So far through we are developing four
programs in the following areas: 1) Peace &
Human Rights; 2) Educational Reform &
Curriculum Development; 3) Africa Culture;
and 4) Cinema & Book Clubs. Through them
we promote the culture of peace, coexistence, democracy and respect toward one
another. We will contribute to URI in
promoting its principle and purpose in Sudan
through our organizational network.
SOUTH SUDAN
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of
South Sudan
Purpose: To promote peaceful co-existence
in South Sudan
Description: As a coalition of 45 civil society
groups in South Sudan, we work in different
areas, such as peace, climate change,
reproductive
health,
HIV/AIDS,
social
development, good government, human
49
Khartoum
Sudan
(249) 83-741-690
(249) 83-741-691
(249) 915-073-749
amalkhider2004@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Albaqir A. Mukhtar
House 2, Block 10, 57th Street, Alamarat
Khartoum Sudan
(249) 183480510
(249) 122884920
(249) 9197058570
albaqir@btinternet.com
www. kacesudan.org
SWAZILAND
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Arwa A. Elarable
(249) 912-835-002
arwa_spring@hotmail.com
www.Kacesudan.org
Interfaith Dialogue for Peace CC
Purpose: To create a culture of love,
understanding, and interfaith dialogue for
peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Deborah Dadgar
P.O. Box No. 1757
Mbabane
Manzini
Swaziland
(268) 505-2689
dadgar@realnet.co.sz
Sudan InterInter- Religious Council SIRC
Purpose: The main aim of SIRC is to
strengthen the values of tolerance, coexistence and cooperation among various
religious groups, to undertake dialogue and
extend ties among religious leaders, to protect
religious freedom, to solve conflicts between
religious sects and to encourage co-operation
among religious groups.
Sohum Association of Swaziland CC
Description: We facilitate dialogue and
promote relationship among religious leaders,
emphasizing common spiritual values, peace
and national unity. Since our establishment,
we have been working in promoting interfaith
cooperation, unity, peace building, dialogue
and freedom of religions in Sudan. Because
our work is based on the purpose of URI, we
are working for URI on a daily base.
Purpose: To treat the sick and train health
practitioners.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rekha Govan
Box 754
Manzini
Swaziland
(268) 505-2259
macrica@realnet.co.sz
www.catgen.com/ayandza
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Faroug A. Gadir
Jamburia St.
Khartoum
Sudan
(249) 83-741-691
(249) 912-301-709
albushra2007@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mac M. Govan
Box 754
Manzini
Swaziland
(268) 505-2259
macrica@realnet.co.sz
www.catgen.com/ayandza
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Amal K. Mohammed
Jamhuria S.
50
Secondary Contact:
Loum Patrick
lumatrick@gmail.com
Youths for Peace CC
Purpose: To organize activities for peace.
Description: Our primary focus is to have
young adult leaders convey ideas of
peacebuilding among the younger generation.
The involvement of young people is a source
of great enthusiasm for the elders of our CC.
AFFINET CC
Purpose: To reconcile man and woman to
God and to each other, in order to work for
social justice and liberation of the oppressed.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Renee Edwards
Post Box No. 1053
M200 Manzini
Swaziland
(268) 505-5304
Description: We started ALFA in 1998 with
a group of eight people in Sweden for the
purpose of serving Africa. We established
ALFA in Uganda in 1999, which now is called
AFFINET CC, and we have over 100
members working with a number of
communities to create a forum to engage and
encourage communities to demonstrate the
love for each other and the good stewardship
of the riches of the world. We are centered
not on exploitation but on harmony of the
natural world.
UGANDA
Acholi Religious Leaders Peace
Initiative CC
Purpose: To promote sustainable peace in
northern Uganda by transforming violent
conflict through dialogue, negotiation,
mediation and reconciliation.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Senabulya
Box 293
724 74 Mityana
Uganda
(256) 774-75640
Description: ARLPI is actively involved in the
following: advocacy and lobbying in response
to legislation; research and documentation on
topics such as the Juba Peace Talks Agenda
and the UN Security Council Resolutions;
peace building and conflict transformation
activities such as community sensitizations,
cross boarder workshops, learning visits,
community peace prayers; and women
empowerment issues such as sexual based
violence against women; and interfaith
relations.
Body and Soul Development CC
Purpose: To teach entrepreneurial skills and
spiritual development.
Description: Some of our members have
been involved in peace building training
workshops and have been part of the
consultative peace teams in northern Uganda.
Some members are also involved in the
current good governance programs for the
2011 elections in the country. We have also
held workshops on entrepreneurship skills in
Luwero district thereby helping small scale
projects to operate better. We fully
participated in the International Day of Peace
celebrations at Nakivubo Stadium.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Musa Khalil
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council
Acholi Region
PO Box 546
Gulu, Uganda
(256) 317-391
Arlpi.interfaith@gmail.com
51
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Joy Kemirembe
c/o 72190
Clock Tower
Kampala, Uganda
kemirembe2001@yahoo.co.uk
Interfaith Youth Partnership CC
Purpose: To bring youths together in order to
share a common vision of harmonious coexistence.
Description: We have promoted the Golden
Rule in our community and we are planning to
have a national outreach for the same. We
have also promoted interfaith dialogue among
students at four schools, using the Golden
Rule. We were among the organizers of a
peace football match and some of our
members also participated in interfaith peace
prayer events. Some of our members have
been involved in the URI youth mentorship
program.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Grace Nalwanga
c/o 72190
Clock Tower
Kampala, Uganda
(256) 777675272
Kemirembe2001@yahoo.co.uk
Friends of Community Health CC
(FCOH)
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Despina Namwembe
P.O. Box 72190
Clock Tower
Kampala
Uganda
(256) 414-531-066
(256) 77-457-791
dmwembe@uri.org
Purpose: To promote meaningful living for all
human beings through living holistic, healthy
lives.
Description: We have carried out free
counseling and HIV testing services to the
most vulnerable poor communities in our
district. We carry out home based care for
HIV/AIDS patients. Patients are provided with
counseling from social workers, spiritual
guidance from the religious teachers, food
supplements from the nutritionists and
medication from the doctors and nurses. We
are currently conducting workshops among
married couples because national statistics
show that HIV/AIDS risk is highest among
married couples compared to the single
youths. Also, we have some programs on the
lake shores as statistics also show that the
fishermen and their wives are at high risk.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Asma Kanagwa
P.O. Box 72190 Clock Tower
Kampala
Uganda
(256) 782 468524
asmah-rashk@yahoo.co.uk
InterInter- Religious Dialogue Programme
(INTERDIP - UGANDA)
Purpose: To promote peace through interreligious dialogue, peace building activities,
and to promote peaceful, cultural harmonious
co-existence.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Florence Mirembe
c/o Box 72190
Clock Tower
Kampala
Uganda
(256) 71-283-9948
florex89@yahoo.com
Description: We have carried out workshops
in conflict resolution skills. We have been able
to contribute to the domestic relations bill to
be presented in parliament soon. Our women
52
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Samuel G. K. Lubogo
Box 3896
Kampala
Uganda
(256) 772 534171
erilub@yahoo.co.uk
have acquired skills in peace and conflict
transformation workshops in the country. We
have joined other interfaith networks like the
Women of Faith Network which is affiliated to
the Inter-religious Council of Uganda. We
participated in the interfaith peace prayer
during the International Day of peace at
Nakivubo Stadium organized by URI office.
We have participated in the different peace
marches including the week of prayer for
Christian Unity, the promotion of Christian
Moslem relations, etc. We have trained the
youths in conflict resolution and mediation
skills.
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Wako Hannington
Box 3896
43 Kampala
Uganda
(256)773-832-878
(256) 712-967083
hanniecool@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mary G. Kisaakye
P.O.Box 34091
Kampala
Uganda
(256) 772-603-488
srgorettik@gmail.com
Florence Kitagenda
P.O. Box 21
Jinja
Uganda
(256) 772 470606
florence@yahoo.com
Latter Glory of Religions in Busoga CC
Living Water Ministries
Purpose: To work together in religious unity
for the sake of our religions in Busoga.
Purpose: To promote cultural unity in diversity
and the empowerment of underprivileged
people.
Description: We have held interfaith
dialogue sessions among our members. We
have shared about our doctrines and faith in
general and how this can help us work
together. Also, we have carried out interfaith
visits visiting our members in their own
homes. This has increased a lot of trust and
love among the CC members. We are now
discussing together to have different
developmental programs in our community to
help us work together and have a common
goal for development in spite of our diversity.
In addition, we have also worked with the
young people to promote the solar cookers
project. Currently a number of families are
using this knowledge to venture into
alternative sources of energy for cooking their
daily meals.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Robinah E. Kamya
P.O. Box 242
Masaka
Uganda
(256) 77-713-400
Pamoja Cooperation Circle
Purpose: To promote religious tolerance
through education, communication and
sports.
Description: Some of the members of our
CC have been engaged in conflict training
sessions to utilize the knowledge we gained
from a training we received on alternatives to
53
violence. We have also teamed up with the
other youths from other CCs and assisted
during the International Day of Peace Soccer
Match.
Uganda
(256) 782-222-570
jjkeki@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Joe Kigozi
Seeta Parents College
P.O.Box 91
Seeta, Mukono
Uganda
(256) 773-003-231
Joe.seggalye@gmail.com
Stewardship Ministry CC
Purpose: To promote inter-religious harmony
and peace in the community.
Description: Our CC carries out peace
education whereby we educate the
communities about ways to either preserve
the peaceful conditions they have or to
resolve the prevailing conflicts in the
community. Because our area was once hit
by food shortage and similar situations keep
on resurfacing, we are also incorporating it
with food security education through training
farmers on the best food preservation
strategies. We have also trained some
farmers about the opportunities of growing
upland rice. We are encouraging our
members to deepen their faith by sharing it
together through our periodical gatherings.
We have been actively involved in the
environment, especially in the planting of
trees. In this activity also involve students and
pupils in the primary schools with the aim of
educating them on importance of protecting
the environment.
Secondary Contact:
Shabnam Olinga
Shabnam.olinga@gmail.com
Peace Kawomera Coop LTD
Purpose: To promote unity among faiths by
providing just economics to the community.
Description: We have been privileged to
receive an award by the Ugandan government
for the 100 best performing middle size
organizations. We were number 23 and this
gave us a lot of inspiration. We are also
currently the highest vanilla buying
organization in the area to the farmers. Our
coffee buyers have increased their buying
price from 1.85 cents a pound to 2.15 cents a
pound because of our improvement in quality.
This has greatly encouraged the farmers to
produce even more coffee. USAID has also
given us a grant and which we have used to
begin construction on a new building, to buy
coffee drying trays, to provide electricity to our
offices and coffee equipment, and to
construct wall fence. There used to be only
one employee but there are now 10
employees including the 6 facilitators who are
field officers educating the farmers about
improved coffee production.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jackson Matovu
PO Box 1200
Kasaka-Gomba
Mpigi
Uganda
(256) 77-475-640
Twekolere Women's Development
Assoc. CC
Purpose: 'To create job opportunities for
disadvantaged girls and women.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
J.J. Keki
P.O.Box 225
Mbale
Description: We were the recipients of the
URI Bowes Award this year from Africa. This
54
Box 293
Mityana, Uganda
(256) 77-586-211
michaelluwalira@yahoo.com
greatly boosted our activities. We have been
able to carry out home based care and food
supplements for HIV/AIDS patients in our
community. We have also supported
orphaned children with scholastic materials.
We were also able to train our members in
business management skills so that they start
small scale projects of their own. We continue
to entertain the community through our
cultural dancing skills and sometimes the
government also contracts us to dance for
prominent events in the country. This year
one of our performances was for the World
Cup Trophy Tour to Uganda. We also
participate in community events including
cleaning and digging to have safe roads.
Youth Interfaith Mission - Uganda CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation
among the young generation.
Description: Our CC conducts
environmental awareness workshops in
universities and other institutions of learning,
and also carries out interfaith visits to places
of worship. We also participate in the
International Day of Peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Annet Nandujja
P.O. Box 1643
Kampala
Uganda
(256) 772-467-398
nandujjaandplanet@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Paulos Dhabunansi
Box 26149
Kampala, Uganda
(256) 772 610925
dh.paulos@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sylvia Nazziwa
P.O. Box 1643
Kampala
Uganda
nazziwasylvia@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Hikim Kibedi
Box 26149
Kampala, Uganda
(256) 772 908456
ZAMBIA
Universal Ministries Uganda CC
URI Zambia CC
Purpose: To promote religious unity in
diversity.
Purpose: To promote human dignity, equality,
tolerance, peace and justice, and to establish
a National Resource Center and a platform for
all members of religions and faith traditions in
Zimbabwe to express themselves freely on
matters of national and civic affairs.
Description: We are group of religious
leaders and believers who help disadvantaged
children in the community without any
religious bias. Our target has been out of
school children. We train them in the area of
tailoring, prevention of HIV/AIDS through
educational campaigns and health talks, and
home economics so they can be selfemployed when they leave our center.
Primary Contact
Contact:
act:
Bwalya Peters
Box 22000
Kitwe , Zambia
(263) 96-24-146 / (263) 96-780-790
bwalya.peters@mopani.com.zm
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Michael Lubowa
55
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe Nat'l Forum for InterInter- Faith
Dialogue CC
Purpose: To promote human dignity, equality,
tolerance, peace, and justice. To establish a
National Resource Center and a platform for
all members of religions in Zimbabwe to
express themselves freely on matters of
national and civic affairs.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Munetsi Ruzivo
University of Zimbabwe
Department of Religious Studies
Box Mp. 157, Mount Pleasant
Harare, Zimbabwe
(263) 430-3211 ext. 1479/1248
(263) 433-3407
ruzivo9-99@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Tendai Chikuku
P.O. Box H94
Hatfield
Harare, Zimbabwe
(263) 4-57-03-11/2
edicisa@mango.zw
56
Asia
197 CCs in 7 countries
Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights CC Environmental Awareness Walk in Pakistan.
URI-East India medicine distribution clinic.
Computer Training in a Mosque in East India.
57
Members of CCs in Korea.
Interfaith harmony conference in Bangladesh.
Anando CC International Day of Peace Celebration in Bangladesh in September 2011.
th
4 International Interfaith Conference on Holy Books in South India in August 2011.
58
Description: Cox's Bazar district is located
at south-east part of Bangladesh, where
world's longest sea beach is situated. The
majority of inhabitants are Muslim and a
certain percentage of them have migrated
from Aracan (Rohinga). The Muslim
community is more fundamental than other
parts of Bangladesh as they prefer madrasha
education rather than formal national
education. The Cox's Bazar Muslims are
dominating other religious community people,
as they think the Muslim is the only religion by
what they can achieve Bhahesta (Heaven).
So children do not have the opportunity of
getting to know other religions, and other
minorities can not freely observe their
religious festivals with out government
protection. Our CC members frequently sit
and share about our own religious context and
that sharing makes our friendship stronger
than before. So we feel we have created the
opportunity to share and know about each
other and our religious beliefs. Thus the
fundamentalism and conservativeness may
reduced finally we can get culturally peaceful
society.
BANGLADESH
Anando
Purpose: To promote peace through
community understanding and fulfillment of
basic needs.
Description: Since 1997, we have been
promoting peace, the protection of indigenous
culture, human rights, and youth development
through education and training. We also work
for peace especially among rural people in the
plains and hills. This work is really needed in
Bangladesh because people from the plain
are migrating to the hill in search of land and
work and there are some basic cultural
differences. Sometimes they treat each other
as enemies.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Md. M. Miah
J- 6 Kazi Nazrul Islam Road
Mohammadpur, District- Dhaka
1207 Bangladesh
(880) 2-811-9760
(880) 2-912-1816
(880) 1-71-311-8371
anando@citechco.net
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rafayel Roy
Muhuripara, BISIC Area
Link Road, Zhilonja
Cox's Bazar
Bangladesh
(880) 1714-104729
rafayel_roy@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Shipan K. Debnath
Vill - Sonabazu P.O-Joykrisnapur
Nababganj, District-Dhaka
1207 Bangladesh
(880) 2-811-9760
(880) 1-81-940-6096
shipandeb@hotmail.com
Banglanet Cooperation
Cooperation Circle
Purpose: To initiate interfaith actions and
ensure interfaith cooperation in Bangladesh
and in the the South Asian region.
Association for Religious Objectives
Mainstreaming ASROM CC
Description: We are working with women
and child rights in combating violence against
them which is also part of maintaining overall
peace in the community and society at large.
We have worked with police sensitivity on
gender issues and child rights so that women
Purpose: To develop cooperation among all
religious neighbors and inter religious issues
transformation for peaceful society.
59
Zirabo, Dhaka Bangladesh
(880) 201-553-571-337
uditahia@yahoo.com
and children get social justice in the hands of
the law enforcing agencies. We do advocacy
for pro-women and child-friendly policing at
all levels. Our future plans will be to
coordinate with our South Asian partners and
share each other's experiences. Our members
advocate for peace and tolerance through
their deliberations in various seminars and
workshops. Our expectation is to organize a
South Asian Regional Seminar at Dhaka and
disseminate the purpose and principles of URI
more widely in the region.
Flower Exchange Initiative at CHT CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ishrat Shamin
Centre for Women and Children's Studies
92 New Eskaton Road
1000 Dhaka
Bangladesh
cwcs_bd@hotmail.com
Description: Our highlights include doing
rural development work for the past 20 years,
engaging youth by teaching them conflict
management and resolution, and leadership
skills. Our major activities include community
building through peace education, conflict
resolution, peace education for children,
leadership development, inter-community
dialogue and peace forums.
Purpose: To develop racial and regional
solidarity in the warfare zone of Khagrachari, a
district of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT),
Bangladesh.
Bridge of Peace CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Francis Halder
c/o Francis Halder
ECT Apartment43/5
Senpara ParbataMirpur-10
1216 Dhaka
Bangladesh
(880) 2-901-5641
francishalder@hotmail.com
Purpose: To ensure communal harmony in
rural society.
Description: There are two main religious
groups in our village: Hindu and Muslim. At
the time of celebrating Durgapuja, these two
groups were on the verge of conflict. They
filed cases against one another. We have
been working with them and now they are
friendly with one each other. We also work on
untouchable and religious issues, in the part
of Bangladesh we see so much discrimination
especially to the tribal and so called lower
caste people. Many times we have
participated in their festivals to show the
support and care for them. There have been
riots here in Bangladesh, but people in the
community are living in peace. We are
working to promote communal harmony by
attending to community needs.
Initiative for Solidarity CC
Purpose: To develop social and cultural
solidarity in the disadvantaged area of
Dinajpur, the districts in the northern part of
Bangladesh.
Description: Dinajpur is one of the largest
districts in Bangladesh. The community there
consists of Bengali and Indigenous (Adivashi).
The people in Dinajpur districts, especially the
Indigenous community, live under the poverty
line. Having no resources, no power, and no
developmental support, they are exploited in
every respect. They are socially oppressed
and marginalized, and politically immobilized
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Md. Eahyia Hossain
Village : Nishchintopur, Post- Zirabo, P.S :
Savar, Dist: Dhaka
60
and powerless, not to speak of their virtual
exclusion and estrangement from the
development policy and program-decision
making processes. CC members are
struggling to establish their citizen rights in
their own country. We are planning to
celebrate festivals from various religions. We
think that when we witness and experience
happiness and joy together, we come closer
in understanding one another.
Souharda Cooperation Circle,
Joypurhat.
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote
enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end
religiously motivated violence and to create
cultures of peace, justice and healing for the
Earth and all living beings.
Description: The area we come from is
largely fundamentalist. There have been
various conflict and tension. We are
connecting people from various communities
to teach co-existence and how to take care of
animals through the Animal Development
Authority.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mukul Das
Village: Ramchandrapur
Post Office: Kaharol
Upazila: Kaharol
WEST BENGAL 5200 Bangladesh
(91) 01-724-393-709
mukuldas@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Francis Halder
c/o Francis Halder
ECT Apartment43/5
Senpara ParbataMirpur-10
1216 Dhaka
Bangladesh
(880) 2-901-5641
francishalder@hotmail.com
Love and Peace Circle CC
Purpose: To build up love and peace among
the society, the followers of different
religions.
Description: Our CC members are staff of
Caritas Bangladesh under the Khulna
Regional Office. We are already working with
interfaith groups and we hold inter-religious
dialogues. We always start our day with an
interfaith prayer and usually people from
various faiths offer prayer. We have held
spiritual seminars where we learned about the
best practices from various traditions.
Through these day to day activities we wish to
implement the URI vision to sustain harmony
and peace in the community.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ziur Rehman
c/o Francis Halder
ECT Apartment43/5
Senpara ParbataMirpur-10
Dhaka
1216 Bangladesh
(880) 2-901-5641
francishalder@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Francis Das
Caritas Regional Office
Rupsha Strand Road
9100 District-Khulna
Bangladesh
(880) 41-722-906
(880) 17-133-84-120
caribkln@khulna.bangla.net
Purpose: To develop solidarity and religious
harmony for the different communities in
Bangladesh.
Spark of Light CCCC- Dhaka
Description: Bangladesh is the ninth largest
country by population in the world. There are
four main communities in Bangladesh. Almost
90% are Muslims, 6% Hindus, 3% Buddhist,
less then 1% Christian and others.
Sometimes there is religious violence. We
61
are working with minority issues in
Bangladesh, promoting peace through mutual
understanding and social services. We have
plans to host interfaith activities on a larger
platform but need to learn more about URI.
Our members have been getting together
frequently to discuss the issues of promoting
communal harmony and other religious issues.
INDIA
AAWAAZ CC
Purpose: To promote development and
human right issues through the interfaith
movement.
Description: With URI's support, we would
like to campaign and promote the message
for peace across the Maharashtra Region. We
have been involved in empowerment and
development of the downtrodden in the
village, and are also actively promoting human
rights. Two meetings of the Awaaz CC
members have been held so far, and we are in
the process of planning few interventions at
the district level.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rubna Reberio
24, Monipuripara, Tejgaion, Dhaka
1215 Bangladesh
(880) 1715-462-214
rubna.reberio@yahoo.com
URI in Bangladesh CC
Purpose: To remove inter-religious hatred
and promote understanding among people
belonging to different faiths.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ramdas T. Kamble
Loni, Taluka-Khandala, Dist-Satara, Shirval
Maharashtra India
(91) 982-201-2615
Description: We are group of seven
consisting of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains,
Christians and Muslims. In Bangladesh we
have been working for interfaith
understanding and for the promotion of peace
among people of different faiths. We want to
initiate a moral revolution in the society
through systematic study and training of
religious ethics in the world. We have
arranged national and international seminars
during the past few years. One of the most
remarkable programs was an ""International
Seminar on Inter-religious Harmony.""
Participants from USA, Canada, Japan,
Pakistan and Bangladesh took part in the
seminar.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Hakimuddin N. Qazi
New Colony, Shirwal, Taluka-Khandala, DistSatara, Maharashtra
India
(91) 976-348-0793
AhlAhl - e - Aman SocietySociety- AASS CC
Purpose: To promote peace and harmony
initiatives among various religious groups with
secular approaches at national and
international levels.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kazul N. Islam
Department of World Religions
University of Dhaka
Dhaka
1000 Bangladesh
(880) 2-861-2651
(880) 2-861-5687
islam.kn@gmail.com
Description:
Description: Our CC has had long time
association with the Gandhi Bhawan, a
renowned centre for art and culture in Bhopal
so we have many connections with social
activists and their activities. Our activities
focus on topics such as health, hygiene, localself government and interfaith dialogue.
62
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sasidharan Pillai
Rohini, Sadanandapuram P.O.
Kottarakkara, Keralaala
691538 India
(91) 474-240-4297
(91) 996-180-0976
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Syed M. Hasan
Samar House, Opp. Community Hall
VIP Chouraha, Lal Gati
32 Bhopal, West Zone
India
(93) 0038-1061
maharulsyed@yahoo.co.uk
Ambala District CC
Amar Jyothi Centre, Sadanandapuram
CC
Purpose: To live and let live.
Description: Our CC helps people with all
kinds of needs/difficulties and provides food
and shelter during floods and other natural
calamities. We have participated in various
URI activities like the Asia Regional Assembly,
New Delhi, Zonal meets at Delhi and Patiala,
Global Assembly at Mayapur, National
Assembly in South India and other URI
activities in our region like IDP, UN Day, and
International Non-Violence Day.
Purpose: Our purpose is to join hands with all
peace lovers to build a world free of wars and
conflicts.
Description: Sadanandapuram is a place
which is famous for the Hindu Sadananda
(Sada+ananda= always happy) ashram. They
have developed their own ayurvedic medicinal
system, which is the oldest system developed
in India. All the members live around this
ashram, which is a Centre of universal
brotherhood. There is a famous Agricultural
University also in Sadanandapuram, and this
CC wants to work closely with this institution
to provide healing for the environment.
Members strive for a better world by
promoting understanding among religions to
protect earth. We meet regularly and conduct
classes on different religions, ideologies in
addition to visiting centers of learning. Our
members have been engaged in various
social, voluntary activities as part of different
organizations. Aamar= without death. Jyothi=
light. Amar Jyothi is perennial light. Let us
hope this CC will be a source of never fading
light and hope.
Primary
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Pawan Kumar Sharma
Jai Durge Automobiles & Service Station
Ambala-Nahan Road, Naraingarth District
Ambala
India
(91)946-630-2574
kathuriarohit@yahoo.co.in
Anandalok
Purpose: To promote communal harmony by
engaging more local people in interfaith
dialogues and jointly responding to the critical
needs of education and health. To create a
place where people from various traditions will
feel connected and to come together to do
good work for humanity.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
P.K. Varghese
Puthen Bunglow
Vettikkavala.P.O, Kottarakkara
691539 Kollam, Kerala
India
(91) 474-240-2753
(91) 984-780-2753
varghesepk@ymail.com
Description: Our CC responds to the health
needs of the poor people, works to boost the
educational system in the local area, works
with the local schools to stop the school drop
out rate. takes care of orphans, and raises
63
funds to build an old age home. We also
organize and mobilize local groups to promote
communal harmony through various social
actions like blood donation, tree plantation
etc.
ANUVRAT Council for Interreligious
Dialogue
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation,
educate young and old in a culture of peace
and nonviolence and thus make an endeavour
towards the creation of a nonviolent sociopolitical world order.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Subhas Maji
Vill + P.O.- Hirapur
District-Burdwan
Burnpur WEST BENGAL
713325 India
(91) 33-2937-5414
(91) 9434-147-920
kingshukbagchi@rediffmail.com
Description: Our CC is working hard for
rejuvenation of moral and spiritual values. We
have organized international conference and
training programs on peace and non-violent
action and interfaith dialogue. We have also
organized various URI activities in our region
like IDP, UN day, and International nonviolence day.
Anugraha CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
S.L. Gandhi
Anuvibha Jaipur Kendra Opp. Gaurav Tower,
Malviya Nagar
Jaipur
302017 India
(91) 141-5127358
(91) 0982-801-6989
Purpose: To make unity among our brothers
and sisters of India.
Description: Work among students is one of
our CC's top priorities. We run a tuition
center for poor students.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rajesh Kumar G. C.
Mavarathala House, T. C 2/ 2247, Asdarsh
Nagar-119, Pattom Palace P.O.
Trivandrum 695004 India
Association for Interfaith Dialogue &
Action CC
Purpose: To promote religious harmony and
peace through education and training.
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Sheeba Begum
Qno.73, Type II, Sector A, CRPF, Pallippuram
Trivandrum, Kerala
695316 India
sheebmeher@yahoo.co.in
Description: Our CC organizes and
participates in various seminars on interfaith
dialogue, provides a platform for meeting and
exchange of views of various religious groups,
actively promotes religious harmony and helps
victims of religious strife, discrimination,
conflicts.
Ligin V.S. Anugraha
Vlathankara, Chenkal.P.O, Neyyatinkara695132 Kerala
India
liginvijayan@rediffmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sarpv C. Swami
33 Mahalingapuram Main Road
Nungambakkam
Chennai 600034 India
91-44-43081015
91-44-43502028
64
Primary Contact:
Contact:
M. Abraham T. Renjana
Ayur P.O., Kollam
Kerala
India
karickam@gmail.com
91-940021008
sarpvchaturvedi@rediffmail.com
www.sriramanujamissiontrust.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Devarakonda S. Nathan
President, JNIAR
Buddha Bhavan Apartment
Secunderbad
500003 India
(91) 402-754-1551
(91) 233-049-46
(91) 984-915-0190
swami@ap.nic.in
B.V. Foundation for Promotion of Peace
Peace
and Harmony CC
Purpose: To promote world peace and
interreligious culture in society.
Description: B. V. Foundation for Promotion
of Peace and Harmony was established in
2006 to promote peace in Vizag. Our
activities include monthly interfaith meetings,
discussions, and interfaith prayer meetings.
We observe festivals and all important days
declared by UN. We visit religious places
regularly to promote inter-religious harmony.
Association for Universal Faith CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation
and harmony in Bangalore.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
M. A. Hussain
KGN Compound 84/1
V.V. Nagar, R.T. Nagar Post
Bangalore
560032 India
(91) 80-363-4937
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Prakasha Rao N
LIG -10, A.P.H.B. Colony, Setammadara,
Visakhapatnam District
Andhra Pradesh
530022 India
(91) 944-0675-955
narava_prakasarao@yahoo.co.in
Ayur InterInter- Religious Center CC
Purpose: To promote human understanding
and amity.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Aziz Mehdi
Shelter 112-10 (a) Daspalla Hills,
Visaktman
Andhra Pradesh
530003 India
azizmehdi@rediffmail.com
Description: We meet once a month for
inter-religious studies, prayers, scripture
readings, etc. We hope to develop a center
for reconciliation and peace. We function as a
bridge building organization to foster
harmonious relationship among people of
different faiths. We want to reduce all forms of
violence. We work in the Thadicadu senior
secondary school and undertake different
projects in collaboration with the National
Service Society. We participate in the IDP
peace rally every year organised by the
Cosmic Community Centre.
B.V.N. Memorial Service Society
Society
Purpose: To make peace and harmony
among people. To raise awareness about
rural education.
Description: The URI Charter Principles and
URI's commitment towards religious harmony
65
our chief goal. We collaborate with Rotary
Club, Y.M.C.A and other similar organizations
to promote peace and harmony. We regulary
attend the Leadership Training under the
South India Zone. We deputed two delegates
for the TPA training in Peace Building at
Kottarakkara and we are thinking of starting a
seeding program in Bangalore.
and global peace attracted different religious
groups in our community, and we decided to
form our CC in Andhrapradesh, South India.
We donate spiritual books of all traditions to
the rural libraries. We run a bi-monthly
magazine called Satyam (Truth) and we also
celebrate different religious festivals.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
K.V.V.S. Murthy
13-5-169 Ashoknagar Colony
Bhadrachalam 507112 India
(98) 485-752-502
kvsmurthy2@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
C. N. N. Raju
No. 18, 4th 'A' Main, Obalappa Garden
K.R. Road
Bangalore
560 082 India
(91) 80-2676-2095
(91) 80-2676-0541 / (98) 4542-6151
rajucnn@yahoo.com
Bangalore Cooperation Circle - CC
Purpose: To promote better understanding
among members of different faiths.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
V.S. Shan Bhogue
No. 18, 4th 'A' Main, Obalappa Garden
K.R. Road
Bangalore
560 082 India
(91) 80-2676-2095 / (91) 80-2676-0541
(98) 4542-6151
rajucnn@yahoo.com
Description: Under the direction of Dr.
Mumtaz Ali Khan, Executive Director of the
Centre for Research and Develpoment of
Dalits, the Bangalore CC is helping the
breakdown of isolation and separation of
Muslims through various programs for
integration and understanding. Our chief
purpose is to quell all forms of violence, intercultural and inter-religious.
Beyond SARHAD
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mumtaz A. Khan
Khwaju Gharib-Un-Nawaz Welfare Center
181 1C Main Road
Gangenahalli Extn., Bangalore
560032 India
(91) 80-333-6186
(91) 80-333-3217
ifwukhan@bgl.vsnl.net.in
Purpose: Promotion of Values to lead us to
peaceful society in general and an
empowered being in particular.
Description;
Description; The name of our CC, Beyond
Sarhad, means no boundary of religion, caste
and creed. We engage in social movements
to denounce all forms of discrimination and
violation of human rights. At the individual
level, we work in human rights, women’s right
and labor rights issues irrespective of caste,
creed and religion. As a CC we will work
together organizing community meetings,
workshops on empowerment, research and
legal assistance.
Bangalore South CC
Purpose: To promote religious harmony.
Description: This is the second CC
registerd in the hi-tech city of India called
Bangalore. National integration and unity is
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shazia N. Shaikh
66
Description: Our CC is working with the
Indian government for justice and good pay
for laborers. We are working for the the
implementation of a new law National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (NRGA) in India.
We also work to address the unemployment
situation by creating a network for local
employment, raising the voices for hard
working laborers and helping them to retain
their rights. Our planned activities include:
working to address tribal issues, assuring 100
days of work under the government new
policy, interfaith dialogue meetings, peace
rallies, and developmental work like education,
health for all.
Apartment: Room No: 6, First Floor, 93, New
Noorani Building, Cadell Road, SV. Marg,
Mahim (West)
Mumbai
400016 India
(91) 9702382710
Shaishazia@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nilosree Biswas
Apartment:_Flat No: 9, Building 1, Cardinal
Garcias CHS,
Malad (West), Maharashtra
Mumbai
400066 India
(91) 9967-75-0847
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Fagu Singh Munda
Village- Chakru, Post.- Tarosiladon
District- Khunti, Jharkhand
835221 India
(91) 995-515-2875
Bhatinda District Cooperation Circle
Purpose: To work toward bringing people
together.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Binod Ahir
Village- Erud, Post- Tarosiladon
District- Khunti, Jharkhand
835221 India
(91) 979-838-6086
Description: Our CCs works to bring people
of different religions together, to provide
timely help to students in needs, etc. We
promote communal harmony and raise our
voice to end religiously motivated violence like
terrorism. We have participated in various
URI activities like the Asia Regional Assembly,
New Delhi, Zonal Meets at Delhi and Patiala,
Global Assembly at Mayapur, National
Assembly in South India and other URI
activities in our region like IDP, UN Day,
International Women's Day.
Buddha Education Foundation CC
Purpose: To spread moral education in
society and work for the social peace, justice
and environmental healing.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Surinder Singh
207 Kawal Street
Bhatinda, Punjab India
(91) 164-225-5294
Description: Our organization is committed
for social peace, harmony and a greener
world. We are working for moral education
amongst the younger generation and also
deeply concerned with the social and
environment issues. So far we have
conducted an all India moral education
examination on April 26th 2009 in which more
than 5000 students from different states in
India participated and certificates were issued
for the participants. Every year we organize a
World peace March (Vishwa Shanti Charika)
in Delhi.
Birsha Munda Jan Vikash Kendra
Purpose: Working for Human and Tribal
rights and create a peaceful society.
67
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sang M. Baudh
H-2/48, Sector 16, Rohini
Delhi 110089 India
(91) 278-90-923
(91) 092-8953-8438
sanghmitr baudh@reddif.com
Purpose: To promote interfaith understanding
in keeping with the URI objectives with
special reference to environmental and social
issues.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Bhikkhu V. Bandhu
Maitrya Buddha Vihar, 3rd floor
H-2/48, Sector-16, Rohini
Delhi
110089 India
(91) 278-90-923
buddhaeducationfoundation@rediff.com
Description: Our CC has organized and
participated in various URI activities in North
Zone like Asia Regional Assembly, New Delhi,
Zonal Meets at Delhi and Patiala, and other
URI activities in our region like IDP, UN Day,
International Women's Day, International Day
of Non Violence. We also have programs for
the welfare of senior citizens.
Centre for Environment and Social
Development CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Gurnam Kaur
101/4, Kaushalya Park
Hauz Khaz, New Delhi
110016 India
2696 0801
(91) 98-1017-0417
gurnam28@gmail.com
Central Delhi CC
Description: Our CC organizes different
programmes with URI principles like
Children's Day, Women's Day, Non-Violence
Day and national holidays. We've also
organized rallies in support of URI principles
on occasions like Birth Day of Mahtma
Gandhi, Tree Plantation, and Nanhi Chhaon
project to promote Girl Child and
Environment. Apart from this we also actively
participated in various URI activities like Asia
Regional Assembly, New Delhi, Zonal Meet at
Delhi (held at our school), Global Assembly at
Mayapur, National Assembly in South India
and other URI activities in our region like IDP,
UN Day, International Women's Day.
Chandigarh Interfaith Forum - CC
Purpose: To attain peace by developing
tolerance and respect for all religions.
Description: Our CC volunteers organize
blood donation camps and provide blood to
needy people and also created a data bank to
increase our effectiveness through which
reinforce interfaith understanding among the
people. We've also participated in various URI
activities like Asia Regional Assembly, New
Delhi, Zonal Meets at Delhi and Patiala,
Global Assembly at Mayapur, National
Assembly in South India and other URI
activities in our region like IDP, UN Day,
International Women's Day.
Primary Contact
C ontact:
ontact:
Sushil Salwan
Salwan Public School
47, Pusa Road
New Delhi
110005 India
(91) 11 25-784-776
(91) 11 257-24-612
(91) 98 1104-4412
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Pal S. Dhindsa
HIG 839, Phase-2, Mohali
Chandigarh, Punjab
68
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Pankat Kumar
House N(a) 428, Street N(a) 07, Shalimar
Village
New Delhi
110088 India
(91) 11274 90345
(91) 981-0873-566
deo.kant_mishra5781@rediffmail.com
160 059 India
(91) 172-222-7712
(91) 172 267 2712
dhindsaps@rediffmail.com
Chavara Cultural Centre, Cochin
Purpose: To promote interreligious culture in
the society and world peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Deo Kant Mishra
House N(a) 428, Street N(a) 07, Shalimar
Village
New Delhi
110088 India
(91) 11274 90345
(91) 981-0873-566
deo.kant_mishra5781@rediffmail.com
Description: Founded in the name of
Chavara Achen, our organization runs a
number of programs related to education and
national integration. Father Albert Nambiar
parambil was the founder Director and we
support all activities of the World fellowship of
Inter-religious Councils meeting at regular
intervals. We ahve several training courses for
youth, women and children, including MBA
programs. It is situated in Cochin called the
Queen of the Arabian sea.
Churachandpur Interfaith CC
Purpose: To formulate and uphold URI's
Charter and its Preamble, Purpose and
Principles with specific reference to creating
awareness of HIV/AIDS and the primacy of
peaceful co-existence.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Roby Kannanchira
Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi-11
Kerala
India
robykannan@yahoo.co.in
Description: Churachandpur, where we lived
and formed the circle is predominantly tribal
but we have people from various faiths and
traditions. For a long time we did not have
religious conflict or tension -- the place was
very peaceful. Now we have problems among
the various communities, so it is important to
address those issues together so the conflict
can be resolved by mutual understanding.
Affiliating to URI will give us more strength
and more ideas to solve the problem.
Chetna Educational Society
Purpose: To uplift the poor in society through
imparting basic education to them, and
spreading the message of communal harmony
and peace in the society.
Description: Our CCs activities focus on
upliftinng the poor section of society through
imparting basic education to them and
spreading the message of communal harmony
and peace in the society through our children
and teachers. We have participated in Two
Zonal meets at New Delhi and Patiala, and a
national Assembly at Alwaye, Keralaala.
We've also promoted URI's activities in our
school through different programmes.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Vung D. Tombing
Mualkoi, Churachandpur
Manipur MAN 795128 India
(91) 943-6622-691
rbi-tombings@yahoo.com
69
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Abraham Karickam
Mundackal Buildings, Karickam P.O.,
Kottarakkara
Kerala
691531 India
(91) 474-245-4087
(91) 944-659-3013
karickam@gmail.com
Conflict Relief and Peace Organization
CC
Purpose:
Purpose: To spread the message of harmony
and peace.
Description: We have been an NGO called
Conflict Relief and Peace Organization since
2003. We are all involved in peace work,
human rights, inter-religious, and other social
work activities. We have worked with people
in Naroda Patia to seek their cooperation and
trust. We have organized peace tea meetings,
inter-religious get-togethers, local policepolitician government gatherings, and other
activities. After three years of extensive labor,
the community builds enough confidence to
work together. Naroda Patia has become one
of the Peace Zones in the state of Gujarat.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Susan Abraham
Mundackal Buildings
Karickam P.O.
Kottarakkara, Keralaala
691531 India
(91) 474-245-4087
karickam@gmail.com
Dalpur Sree Sree Gyanananda
Saraswati Ashram CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sadeque Hussain
268, Jawahar Nagar Colony
Naroda Patia
Post Krishna Nagar, Ahmedabad India
sadeque786@yahoo.com
Purpose: Our purpose is to improve the
quality of life of people through sustainable
community development along with spiritual
awareness and daily interfaith cooperation.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Madhabananda Saraswati
Dalpur Sree Sree Gyanananda Saraswati
Ashram
Dalpur, Post: Kharbona
West Bengal
India
(91) 3242-205-917
(91) 973-207-9089
dssgsashram@gmail.com
Cosmic
Cosm ic Community Centre CC
Purpose: To promote inter-religious harmony
and to work for world peace
Description: This is the second CC
registered in Keralaala and we have become a
pioneering unit in promoting URI ideals. Our
organization was established in 1991 with
objectives such as to procalim all humanity as
children of one creator God, to promote study
of various religions and ideologies, to promote
ongoing dialogue among religions and
ideologies, to help form interfaith students'
movements in different parts of the world, to
strive for justice and ecological soundness
and to propagate the idea of community living
etc. Our regular programs include a Peace
Rally on UN International Day of Peace, a
celebration of Gandhi Jayanthi as a day of
youth service, study pilrimages, etc.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Pintu Pochhali
Dalpur Sree Sree Gyanananda Saraswati
Ashram
Dalpur, Post: Kharbona
West Bengal
India
(91) 9749160622
70
Desinganadu Interfaith Council CC
Divya Sanskriti Pratishathan (Devine
Cultural Foundation) CC
Purpose: To promote peace and harmony.
Purpose: Health, harmony and happiness for
all through yoga education, natural health care
and enrichment of the environment.
Description: We are a group of chartered
accountants and we support all programs
related to peace and harmony. We work in
close collaboration with the Mar Thoma
Cyrian Church of Malbar, Rotary International,
YMCA, etc.
Description: We serve our community by
promoting value-based healthy lifestyles
through yoga education, natural health care,
and cultivating ethical attitudes in society. DSP
organizes workshops, lectures, classic yoga
training camps, spiritual retreating programs,
and annual yoga meditation camps deep in the
Himalayas like Kedar Nath Dham, Badrinath
Dham and Gangotri Dham etc. We have plans
to help the needy in our community too,
especially youth.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kunju K. Varghese
Women´s College Road
Kollam, Kerala
India
(91) 474-279-4852
(91) 474-274-6083
kvc@vsnl.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Chandra Bhushan
E-12, Maurice Nagar, Delhi University
Campus
North Delhi, Delhi-7
Delhi 110007 India
(91) 112-766-6778
(91) 986-801-2006
Divya.chsingh@gmail.com
Din Ilahi Kaviyoor CC
Purpose: To establish peace and harmony
among religions.
Description: We are mainly peace lovers
from different religions and we organize interreligious conventions and study meetings at
regular intervals. DIN ELAHI was a movement
started by the ancient Mughal emperor of
India named Akbar, in order to bring all
religions together. Ours is a predominantly
Hindu area and we accept this name to show
our goodwill towards Muslims and all other
children of God. Some of our members are
artists who work for tolerance and amity. We
also produce films for national integartion and
understanding.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rahaja Deepak
ADI Automotives PVT. LTD.
58 K.M. Stona, Delhi- Jaipur Highway
Binola IND. Zone
GurgaonHAR
India
(91) 124-201-7187
(91) 124-403-4432
(91) 931-345-1003
mdoffice@adiautomotives.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Neelakanta Sharma
Naithalloor Illam, Kaviyoor.P.O,
Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District
Kerala
689 582 India
(91) 474-261-2683
sivasiddhartha@yahoo.co.in
Durgapur Sadhbhavna Welfare Society
CC
Purpose: To establish communal harmony by
good thoughts in action.
71
Description: Our CC focuses on addressing
health and education, specially among the
poorest in our community.
Description: Our CC holds awareness
meetings on interfaith understanding to reach
and spread the message across our city.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kaushik Roychowdhury
20/26, Tilak Road
Durgapur, District- Burdwan
Durgapur, West Bengal
713205 India
(91) 985-102-6831
k.roychowdhury@yahoo.in
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Deepika Jayanti B. Rathod
1762/4, Jivram Bhatt Chawl, Topatia Ward,
Rajpur, Gomtipur
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
380021 India
(91) 99-098-700-97
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Shaikh Amrin
Telephone Exchange Quarter
Juna Bapunagar
Ahmedabad
India
(91) 966-221-8991
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nitai C. Gorai
11/21, Mahiskapur Road
Durgapur, District- Burdwan
Durgapur, West Bengal
713205 India
(91) 9434-348-347
Ektaan CC
Edamulackal URI
Purpose: To foster healing through music, art
and cultures. To create a communal platform
of cross-cultural dialogues and develop
understanding among traditions through
shared learning for a peaceful and blissful
community.
Purpose: To promote unity of human kind.
Description: This CC is situated in a
predominantly Hindu area, striving to foster
harmony among various communities. We
promote Gandhian ideals and propagate his
teachings. Members include writers, teachers,
doctors and so on who all work together to
protect the harmony of the place. We have
published several books.
Description: One of our major programs is
Journey of Peace, an ongoing Ektaan project
to nurture and preserve traditional harmonious
festivals in rural communities in India. We also
have a computer educational program where
we engage children and youth especially in
the areas where barely any opportunities of
learning computer. Many of these youth learn
the computer and later on teach it to other
youth. We also hold interfaith, intercultural
music performance involving children and
women, record and publish CDs, and
promote local musicians and artists.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kottuckal S. Pillai
Sreeniketanam
Edamulackal.P.O
Anchal, Kollam
Kerala
India
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kaushik Chatterjee
Central office, DPSC Ltd. Post- Dishergarh
District- Burdwan
DishergarhWEST BENGAL
713333 India
Ekta Sangathan CC
Purpose: To promote communal harmony and
women's empowerment.
72
691305 India
(91) 475-220-7494
(91) 960-523-3438
ishana@gmail.com
(91) 933-374-4455
ektaan@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Biswadeb Chakraborty
K1, 4th Floor, Vijay Apartment
A.C. Rd. Burnpur-Asansol
West Bengal
713325 India
(91) 947-469-9238
biswadeb@sancharnet.in
Forum for Interfaith Dialogue, Tiruvalla
CC
Purpose: To promote harmonious coexistence among students, religions, and
sects.
Fathima Public School CC
Description: Our CC is a chapter of the
Interfaith Students' Movement of India. Mar
Thoma College, Thiruvalla is about sixty years
old and it is the second accredited college in
India. Our unit conducts different activities
with the intention of fostering unity and peace
among students. We support the study of
different religions and ideologies. We
regularly attend the annual youth camp and
other zonal programs related to peace
studies.
Purpose: To work for national peace and
religious harmony.
Description: Students and teachers meet at
regular intervals for the study of different
religions. We also organize various other
programs for the development of weaKerala
students. One of the most fascinating
programs was the celebration of Diwali
(Festival of Lights in the Hindu tradition). The
whole school community participated in it and
for Muslim students this was the first
experience in their life.We have organized
leadership trainings, visits to the interreligious
pilgrim centre, and interreligious dialogues.
The school wants to gain a lot from the
association with URI, as an international
organization, which will widen the horizon of
their students and help them grow as
universal citizens. We want to kindle the light
of oneness in young hearts and eradicate all
evil thoughts of hatred and terrorism.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
S. M. Amma
Department of Maths
Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla
Kerala India
(91) 469-263-0901
Gujrat CC
Purpose: To spread the message of harmony
and peace.
Primary
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Greshma P. Raju
Fathima Public School
Pumalur P.O. KERALA 691305 India
(91) 475-222-8964
(91) 944-613-8918
Description:
Description: URI is working for the same
purpose we are working for, and this is what
attracted us to URI. We do lots of activities,
but they can't be recognized as big
achievements. These small achievements give
us a sense of satisfaction that at least we are
doing something towards the better
understanding of the world.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ishana Ismail
Fathima Public School
Punalur, P.O.KERALA
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jayesh Patel
73
Manav Sadhna Kendra, Gandhi Ashram
Ahmedabad 27 India
(91) 79-756-0002
Harijan Sewak Sangh CC
Purpose: To promote the spirit of interfaith
cooperation and harmony in keeping with the
aims and objectives of the URI charter.
Guwahati CC
Description: We are the Zonal Coordinator
of all the URI activities in North Zone. We
have managed to have more than 30 CCs in
our zone, organized Asia Regional Assembly
in 2007, attended all the meets in
Ballamborosa, USA, Korea (Asia Executive
Council Meet and Asia Regional Meet in
2009, Also actively participated in Two
National Assembly organized by South Zone,
and all the Zonal meets in our region
organized by us, participated in Global
Assembly with more than 25 CCs
representaives from our zone and also is a
force behind organizing almost all the URI
activities as listed in our yearly budget like,
Women's day, Children's day, Labour Day,
IDP, UN Day, Environment day, Non violence
day, etc. We laso involve in running schools
for childrens of lowest strata of the society,
Conferences and seminar on Communal
Harmony, peace, ahimsa, Terrorism, interfaith
prayers from time to time apart from some of
the festivals of all religions and national days
of our country.
Purpose: To promote enduring interfaith
cooperations and religiously motivated
violence adn to create cultures of peace,
justice and healing for the earth and all living
beings.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Biju Michael
Don Bosco Junior College
Azara, Guwahati, Assam
781 017 India
(91) 361-842-148
bmacl@sancharnet.in
Habel Foundation CC
Purpose: To work for international, peace,
harmony, and cooperation.
Description: Habel Foundation has been
working for the welfare of the Dalits for more
than twelve years. Our activities include Tribal
welfare, leadership training, education
subsidies for weaKerala sections, honoring
social worKeralas and leaders, training for
inter-religious harmony and peace, etc. Last
year we conducted a peace building institute
for one week, with the help of South India
Zone. A study tour was also part of the
program. About 100 students attended our
personality development camp.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Hira P. Gangnegi
Harijan Sevak Sangh, Gandhi Ashram
Kingsway Camp
Delhi
110009 India
(91) 996-805-3119
hpgnegi@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Dinesh Bhatia
Harijan Sevak Sangh, Gandhi Ashram
Kingsway Camp
Delhi
110009 India
(91) 11-2374-6641
parliament_religion@rediffmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Samuel N. Pariyaram
Pariyaram, P.O. Mallappally, Pathanamthitta
Kerala India
(91) 469-273-5790
karickam@gmail.com
74
people and raise grassroots voices to a
national level. Since we have been working to
build a discrimination free society, we also
include the religions as they play a major role
in our country. In collaboration with the local
government, we are working to create
employment opportunities in areas where
there are many conflicts. We are also hosting
interfaith dialogue meetings and facilitating
interaction between management and workers
to resolve various professional issues. We are
also providing legal assistance to those in
need. Our future plans include: raising our
voices for human rights, inter religious
learning and sharing through community
service programs, promoting education for
children, and working on environmental
issues.
Indian Dalit Ecumenical Federation CC
Purpose: To promote harmonious coexistence among religions and to work for the
betterment of the oppressed sections of the
society.
Description: We are a group of aboriginees
(Dalits) who have been very active in striving
for the uplifting of our class. We have stories
of centuries old sufferings, but today we are in
the forefront of working for peace and justice.
We organize programs with the help of the
National Council of Churches and also with
the support of WCC. We conduct interfaith
meetings regularly. Our main project is the
URI Peace Centre, which was built up with
the support of URI Hub in SFO. A Peace
Building Institute was conducted here with
the help of the South India Region and
leadership training. We run a tuition centre
and a women's welfare program at the centre,
in addition to regular study courses. IDP was
celebrated with the support of the Bethany
Ashram. Gandhi Jayanthi was also celebrated
as a day of youth service.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
James Herenj
Vill- Chiro, Post- Chandwa,
District- Latehar
Chandwa, Jharkland
829203 India
(91) 947-0396-732
jamesherenj@yahoo.co.in
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Joseph Chacko
Thadathil House
Kuttappuzha P.O
Tiruvalla, Kerala689103 India
(91) 469-270-3685
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mithilesh Kumar
C/O Gokul Basant, near Bazar Samiti, Sudna,
District-Palamau
Daltanganj, Jharkhand
822101 India
(91) 6562-235-821
(91) 9431-193-202
mithileshdtj@gmail.com
INSANIYAT Cooperation Circle
Purpose: Creating Social Platform for all
voices to be heard to sustain justice for a
peaceful society.
Inter Religions Centre Kuttappuzha CC
Purpose: To work for world peace.
Description: We work in the state of
Jharkhand, recently a hotbed of conflict and
tension, partly due to Maoist activities.
Poverty is extreme, with shortages of food,
and human rights are regularly violated. We
are working with like- minded organizations
and with the government as well as with the
media to highlight the common needs of the
Description: Our CC is the Kuttappuzha
Inter-Religious Center, established with the
objective of promoting inter-religious harmony
among the people in our locality. We conduct
dialogues, house visits, and meetings for
propagating the values of justice and peace.
75
We also have social awareness programmes
related to the environment and pollution. We
also conduct career guidance and counselling
classes. We are also focused on providing
paliatory care for those in pain.
Interfaith Centre, Kottarakkara CC
Purpose: To work for world peace.
Description: Our CC's primary programs are
educational counselling and inter-religious
workshops. We work mostly among students
and youths.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rani George
Nellickal, Kuttapuzha. P.O.
Tiruvalla, Keralaala
689103 India
(91) 469-261-9480
Primary Contact:
Contact:
G. Jacob
Vazhavila Veedu
Pulamon P.O.
Kottarakkara, Kerala
691531 India
(91) 474-265-2283
(91) 9847-458-969
jacobgkottara@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
George Mathew
Nellickal, Kuttapuzha. P.O.
Tiruvalla, Kerala689103 India
(91) 469-261-9480
karickam@sancharnet.in
Interfaith Dialogue Centre Kollam CC
Interfaith
Interfaith Association Kanjirapally CC
Purpose: To foster religious tolerance and
understanding and to see the world the world
as an extended human family.
Purpose: To create a world of religious
harmony and peace.
Description: This is an association of
Hindus, Muslims and Christians - the first CC
to be registered in the Kottayam District of
Keralaala. The majority of our members are
youth. The leader is Prof. Dr. J. Prameeladevi,
a well known poetess of Keralaala, and an
authority in Hindu scriptures. Members
participated in a Leadership Training
conducted at the Cosmic Community Centre
CC in Karickam. The group meets regularly in
different homes and conducts studies on
various religions and ideologies. They
participate in community development
programs on topics such as literacy, AIDs
awareness, forestation, etc.
Description: Our CC members are mostly
advocates and we work in the area of social
justice. We extend support to poor people to
protect their civil rights.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Prameela Devi J.
Aparna Anakkal
P.O. Kanjirapally, Kerala
686508 India
(91) 482-820-6866
drprameeladevi@rediffmail.com
Interfaith Forum CC
Primary Contact
Contact:
act:
Alex Thomas
House No. 108
J.D. Nagar
Cutchery Ward
Kollam
13 India
(91) 474-279-1693
(94) 474-30-745
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation.
Description: Our CC organizes quiz
competitions for youth and children on
different current topics of interest to promote
76
Students' Movement in Keralaala State. We
visit various educational institutions and meet
students to tell them about the necessity of
building peace among different communities.
spiritual values, etc. We are also engaged in
community service, environmental projects,
meditation classes, etc. We've participated in
our North Zone URI activities from time to
time.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
T.P. Jose
Mar Theophilus Training College
Nalamchira P.O.
Trivandrum, Kerala
India
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Herjinder S. Chawla
H.No 4840 - 44,Regharpura, Karol Bagh
New Delhi
110060 India
(91) 9810476082
(91) 11-257-39196
smashyguy_yo@yahoo.co.in
Interfaith Students Movement CC,
Thadicadu
Interfaith Religious Forum Trivandium
CC
Purpose: To work for harmony among
students.
Purpose: To promote harmonious relationship
among people of all Faiths.
Description: Our CC has been working for
almost a year now in the AKM Vocational
Higher Secondary High School in
THADICADU, Kollam District of Keralaala.
This is a school managed by Muslims who are
very happy to have an Interfaith Students'
Movement in their school. Thadicadu is a
Muslim area and very often Hindu - Muslim
clashes occur in this place. People really
crave for peace and an interfaith organization
can contribute a great deal to this. When
youngsters come together, it is a good sign
for a bright future. Members belong to three
different religions- Hindus, Muslims and
Christians. These student leaders have
attended the Peace Building Institute
conducted by URI and they know our charter
very well. We have regular camps and
leadership training with the help of National
Service Scheme.
Description:
Des cription: We are the only CC in Keralaala
formed exclusively with women members. We
stand for human rights and women's rights.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mary Oommen
Rodi Rocks, Kizhakken Muthoor
Kuttappuzha, P.O. Tiruvalla-3
Kerala689103 India
(91) 469-261-9773
karickam@gmail.com
Interfaith Students Movement CC,
Kerala Region
Purpose: To bring unity among the student
community to see the world as one.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Manu Krishnan
c/o The Principal, AKVMHS
THADICADU P. O, KOLLAM
Kerala India
(91) 475-230-5382
Description: We have initiated Interfaith
Students' Movement in Keralaala. Most
members are youngsters and they will be our
future leaders. Our contact person has been
very active in interfaith activities for quite a
long time. He was a volunteer at the Taize
community in France a few years back. We
coordinate the activities of the Interfaith
77
Interfaith
In terfaith Students Movement of India
CC
where poor women find employment. This
centre is affiliated with UNESCO.
Purpose: To promote harmonious coexistence among students, religions and all
sections of the society.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mariamma Mathew
ICSD, Valakom
Kerala, Kollam P.O.
691532 India
(91) 474-247-0075
icsdmathew@yahoo.co.in
Description: This is the umbrella of Interfaith
Students' Movements in India. We target
various campuses in India to spread the
message of peace and harmony. Leadership
training, educational counselling, personality
development etc are our chief programs.
Programs include inter-faith dialogues, study
of various religions and ideologies, youth
exchange, programs to overcome violence,
and peace building institutes.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
K.C. Mathew
ICSD, Valakom
Kerala, Kollam P.O.
691532 India
Primary
Primary Contact:
Contact:
K. Jacob
Panchiyil
Muthoor. P.O
Tiruvalla, Kerala
689107 India
(91) 469-260-5010
(98) 4786-1261
panchiyil@sancharnet.in
InterInter- Religious Centre Kureeppally
Kollam CC
Purpose: To promote inter-religious harmony
and peace.
Description: This is a group who works
mostly among the youth in the Kollam area.
Members are deeply involved in various social,
voluntary organizations like YMCA and Rotary
Club. We support medical aid and social
awareness programs.
International Centre for Study and
Development CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Y. Thankachan
Nellivila House
Alummoodu
P.O. Mukhathala
Kollam 691577 India
(91) 474-252-2593
karickam@gmail.com
Purpose: To promote the development of the
weaKerala sections of society and to
encourage study of religions and ideologies.
Description: The International Centre for
Study and Development is a social voluntary
service organization started in 1982 and
currently conducting the following projects:
drug counseling, drug treatment and
rehabilitation, a home for the aged, family
counseling, and continuing education. Each
year we organize a World AIDS Day
Campaign, Children's Day, Human Rights
Day, and Republic Day. We have 39 full-time
staff. In addition to service programs, we have
a khadi (Indian cloth) production centre also
InterInter- Religious Council CC,
Odanavattom
Purpose: To strive for a sustainable and
peaceful world.
Description: We have been active in the
Odanavattom region in Keralaala for many
78
conducts various programs for promotion of
harmony and understanding among different
communities. We organize inter-school
competitions, seminars etc. IDP is celebrated
every year with a marvellous peace
procession. Gandhi Jayanthi is celebrated as
a day of youth service. An essay competition
was conducted this year for students on the
topic Global Healing and the Future of
Humanity. Our senior students attended the
URI National Assembly at Santhigiri Ashram,
Alwaye. We receive guests quite often. Last
year we had the visit of Rev. Elias Pinto from
Brazil. The MI participants of Kottarakkara
Peace Building Training visited our school
and we had an interactive session.
years. We are basically artists. We have our
music troop and give music training to
students and youngsters. Rajan Cosmic, our
contact, is a gifted musician and a music
teacher at school. We have conducted
various other training programs for young
people and want to become involved in
programs related to overcoming violence.
Music for harmony is our motto.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rajan Cosmic
Cosmic Home
Odanavattom P.O.
Kollam Kerala
691512 India
(91) 474-246-3020
urisouthindia@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jiji P. Mathew
Karickam International Public School
Karickam, P.O. Kottarakkara
691531 India
(91) 474-206-66662
(91) 474-205-7050
(91) 944-67-10367
Jammu District CC
Purpose: To bring relief to suffering humanity.
Description: Help families affected by
militancy who are living in shelter camps and
organize URI activites in our area aprt from
participation in all the activities of North Zine
URI and other URI activities like Zonal Meets,
Asia regional Assembly, Global assembly at
Mayapur, etc.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sophy Biju
Karickam International Public School
Karickam, P.O. Kottarakkara
681531 India
(91) 474-2066-662
(91) 474-245-7912
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Satish Kumar
c/o Mr. R. C. Mathawan
95 Sector 7, Nanak Nagar
Jammu
India
(91) 243-6360
uri.patiala@yahoo.com
Karni CC (Karni = name of the local
Goddess)
Purpose: Youth for communal harmony and
peace.
Description:
Des cription: Our CC holds regular programs
and camps for youth to equip them to fight
against religious extremism.
Karickam International Public
Public School
Purpose: To promote harmony and peace
among students of various religious identities.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Khiyaram Choudhary
Student Federation of India District
Description: We have around three hundred
students in our school at present and our CC
79
President OPP. Ramden Marble, Near New
Bus Stand, Balotra
Rajasthan
India
(91) 982-862-2048
sawera.blt@gmail.com
Kashmir Valley CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith harmony and
peace especially in the most violent states like
Jammu & Kashmir.
Description: Our CC is involved in activities
to nullify the affect of terrorism and communal
violence, to try to bring peace and harmony
among people, to uplift the poor section of
society, and to spread the message of
communal harmony and peace in the society.
We have participated in all the programs of
URI in our region.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Khamis Khan
Student Federation of India District
President OPP. Ramden Marble, Near New
Bus Stand, Balotra
Rajasthan
India
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Babita Chaudhary
281 1st Floor, Mukherjee Nagar
Delhi
110009 India
Karol Bagh CC
Purpose: To end religiously motivated
violence and to serve society as one
organization barring all narrow domestic walls.
Description: Our group works to help girl
children through a project called ‘Nanhi
Chhaon’ which means a ‘tiny shade.’ We also
work for the education of the under-privileged.
We believe that unity in diversity will bring
harmony and happiness in society and we will
keep working for it. Also, we plant trees and
serve the poor.
Kasturba CC
Purpose: To promote non-violence &
communal harmony.
Description: Our CC seeks to inspire and
educate poor girls with the principles of nonviolence and communal harmony, hold
interfaith prayer and social activities for school
girls, and celebrate IDP on regular basis. Our
representative also participated in Global
Assembly at Mayapur, Zonal Meeting of North
India Zone and one National Assembly at
Keralaala organized by South Zone, and we
have also been involved in URI activities of
North zone as we are related to or part of
HSS (Coordinating Office of URI in North
India).
Primary Contact:
Contact:
David Lall
G. D. Salwan Public School, Rajinder Nagar
New Delhi
110060 India
(91)-9212735380
www.salwanpublicschooltronica.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Bharat Chawla
90-91, Rajinder Nagar Market
New Delhi
110060 India
(91)-11-25787018
(91)-11-25752700
(91)-9818852527
advocatebharat@gmail.com
www.salwanpublicschooltronica.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Savitari Khanduri
B/27, East of Kailash
New Delhi
110065 India
80
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Biswajit Das
Srikrishnapur, Mandirtala, Ward No-10,
Kharagpur
District- West Midnapur
Kharagpur, West Bengal
721301 India
(96) 09491120
biswajitdas_2007@yahoo.co.in
Kerala Kavya Kala Sahithy
Purpose: To organize artists for peace.
Description:
Description: Our CC is a group of social
worKeralas, teachers and counselors. We
concentrate among the students of Keralaala
and organize various programs in schools
every year. We give leadership training,
scholarships, and computer education to
many student groups.
Kolkata CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
John Kurakar
Kurakar Centre
Pulamon, Kottarakara 691531 India
(0474) 265-2590
(0474) 245-3237
944-755-9495
profkurakar@rediffmail.com
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation
and communal harmony.
Description: Our CCs works with minority
groups in various places around India,
particularly in the North East area of India
where religious conflict and tension is a high
concern. We also engage at an academic
level to address the issues of conflicts and are
involved in research and education.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
S.A. Kareem
Kurakar Centre
Pulamon, Kottarakara
691531 India
(0474) 265-2590
(0474) 245-3237
944-755-9495
profkurakar@rediffmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Himadri Banerjee
27 Tarasankar Sarani
Kolkata
7000037 West Bengal
India
(91) 9433-061-616
hbanerjee@cal3.vsnl.net.in
Kharagpur Peace Circle
Purpose: To create a platform to nurture
communal harmony thorugh humanitarian
services and addressing the current issues to
bring justice in the community by mutual
understanding.
Krishnagar Aikyo Sammiloni CC
Purpose: To promote enduring, daily interfaith
cooperation, to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace,
justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.
Description: We are working to create a
peaceful environment to support the younger
generation to fulfill their aspirations and
maintain the educational standard of the area.
We also work with those living under the
poverty line so they can make a better living.
Our dream is to create an interfaith library
connected worldwide.
Description: Our CC works together in order
to promote enduring, daily interfaith
cooperation, to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace,
justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.
81
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sukumar Sarkar
Diocesan Youth Animation (Yuba Kalyan
Bhavan)
1/4 L.K. Moitra Road
District-Nadia, Krishnagar WEST BENGAL
741101 India
(91) 97-353-25-078
icymkrishnagar@yahoo.com
Mahila Chetna Kendra
Purpose: To spread peace and non-violence
Description: Our CC is dedicated to the
development and the upliftment of women
and girls through promoting education and
teaching principles of non-violence and
communal harmony and holding interfaith
prayer and social activities on regular basis.
We celebrate International Day of Peace and
our representative also participated in the
Global Assembly at Mayapur, two meetings of
the North Zone in India and one National
Assembly at Keralaala organized by the South
Zone, and other URI activities of the North
Zone.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sree U. Das
40, Kansari Para Lane
District-Nadia, Krishnagar, West Bengal
741101 India
(91) 09-43-43-102-08
sreeuttamdas@ymail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Srishti Dunkal
F-22, B.K. Datta Colony, Karbala
New Delhi
110003 India
(91) 11-22563043
Kulakkada Ikya Vedi CC
Purpose: To foster inter-religious harmony.
Description: This is a new CC in Kollam
District of Keralaala. Kulakkada is predominantly a Hindu area with many famous
temples. There had been Hindu-Christian
clashes here some time back, but it is now
peaceful. We work closely with different
organizations of the Mar Thoma Church. We
participate in conferences and peace related
trainings. Community development is our
priority.
Maitray CC
Purpose: To develop inter religious harmony
Description: Our CC has recently formed to
promote inter-religious harmony and peace.
We plan to organize workshops and seminars
to promote inter-religious harmony and peace.
Our members are working hard in society for
the improvement and betterment of the
people and making the people aware of
the aims and objectives of URI.
Primary Contact
Contact:
ntact:
K. N. Thomas
Vazhuvelil House, Kulakkada East P.O.,
Kollam District, Kerala
691521 India
(91) 474-261-2683
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Harpal Singh Pannu
B-1, Punjabi University Campus
Patiala
147002 India
(91) 175-304-6469
(91) 175-228-2832
(91) 946-425-1454
harpalsinghpannu@yahoo.com
Madurai CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
N. Muthumohan
Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
India
82
drives. We are a major constituent of the
Manipur Peace Committee, which was formed
in the June 2001 uprising and has the same
goal as that of URI. We made a timely appeal
to those concerned including India's Prime
Minister for restoring peace and communal
harmony among Hindus and Muslims, who
were responsible for creating the Godhara
Carnage which claimed many lives of women
and children and thousands of rupees' worth
of property.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rajesh Ranjan
Q-19, Punjabi University Campus
Patiala
147002 India
(91) 941-746-9174
drranjanrajesh@rediffmail.com
Manbazar Chandra Memorial
Purpose: To bring people together from
various religions and traditions to create one
platform to uplift cultural values and maintain
communal harmony for peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Radhamohon Das
ISKON
Sangaiprou Airport Road
District- Imphal MAN
795001 India
(91) 385-222-0921
(91) 9436-270-641
manimandir@sancharnet.in
Description: We have organized health
camps for tribal children and sports events
and other communal, social activities. We also
have organized tree plantings in various
communities, engaging government officials
and community leaders from various
communities. Our motto is to form a
harmonious community of all traditions and
religions to sustain justice and peace.
MAP Madhukunda Association for
Peace CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bharat Sen
Village + Post- Pialsol, Via - Manbazar
District- Purulia
Man Bazar West Bengal
723131 India
(91) 993-396-4551
manbazarcc@gmail.com
Purpose: To promote communal harmony
through humanitarian service. To provide the
opportunity for children to get education.
Description: Our CC works with local
schools to promote education for children and
address tribal and caste issues.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Goutam Roy
A 4/3 DCW Township. ACC Ltd. Damodhar
Cement Works.
Dist- Purulia, Madhukunda West Bengal
723121 India
(91) 943 418 2018
mapdcw@gmail.com
Manipur URI CC
Purpose: To promote and uphold the URI
purpose as stated in the URI charter.
Description: We have been working to fulfill
the URI Charter and PPP to strengthen
interfaith cooperation by way of worshipping
God through prayer, rituals and discussions
about URI's concept at each community's
sacred workshipping place, ie, masjid,
Church, Gurudwar, etc. This continues the
process and also helps membership and fund
Mata Ikya
Ik ya Vedi CC
Purpose: To promote harmonious coexistence among all religions and sects.
83
690503 India
(91) 479-233-5369
urisouthindia@gmail.com
Description: Our CC is an organization with
members from various communities of
Kottarakkara. Our members are social
worKeralas of long-standing repute, who have
been office bearers in various social voluntary
organizations, like the Y's Men's Club,
Y.M.C.A, Balajana Sakhyam and Keralaala
Council of Churches. We have a ecumenical
study forum and we organize study sessions
on various topics. Our delegates attended
Asia Assembly at Delhi and the National
Assembly at Alwaye. We are drawn to the
ideals of the URI.
Mazdayasnie at
a t Colaba CC
Purpose: As a youth group connected to the
Zoroastrian College, we encourage youth to
promote peace activities and develop good
friendship through CCs in other countries to
bring about better understanding among
people of different religions and cultures.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
George PanicKerala
Parankimamthottathil, Kizhakketheruvu P.O.
Kottarakkara
Kerala
691542 India
(91) 474-265-0262
karickam@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Minoo Jokhi
Mazdayasnie 122A, Kismat Bldg.
all Sassoon Dock
Colaba, Mumbai
400005 India
minoojokhi@rediffmail.com
Mazdayasnie at Juhu CC
Mata Samannuya
Samannuya Vedi CC,
Elippakkulam
Purpose: As a youth group connected to the
Zoroastrian College Peace Studies
Department, we encourage youth to develop a
new world social order where young people
understand each other's cultures and religions
in an an atmosphere of peace, love, and
cooperation.
Purpose: To promote the idea of communal
harmony and secularism in society.
Description: Our CC functions in a Muslim
area and we organize various events to build
harmony in our society. This is an interesting
group of people who are involved in various
peacebuilding activities. They have good
access among the fisher men as they live near
the sea coast. They attended the URI Zonal
Assembly at Adur. Gandhi Jayanthi was
celebrated as a day of interfaith youth service.
Interfaith prayers, celebration of religious
festivals, study pilgrimages, etc. are our
priorities.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Priyank Nevatia
59, Kamal, 6th N.S. Road
Juhu Scheme
Mumbai
56 India
(91) 22-2620-9034
(91) 22-262-0934
minoojokhi@rediffmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shamsudeen Kunju
Kottal Puthupparambil
Elippakkulam P.O.
Pallickal
Kerala
Mazdayasnie at Mumbai CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith peace through
good thoughts, good words, and good deeds
as well as positive action projects.
84
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kurshid Cooper
Madayasnie G-2, 1st Floor
Captain Colony, Tardeo
Bombay
400034 India
(91) 22-2494-2579
Mysore CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation
and harmony in Mysore.
Description: Mysore is a city near to
Bangalore in the Karnataka State. We
promote different programs to build up a
peaceful community. Our members work in
various other social voluntary organizations as
well.
Millat Congregation
Purpose: To promote peace through building
in an inclusive community (where there are no
orphans, no injustice and everyone's
traditional values are respected and
supported by each other to create a peaceful
community). Also, by deepening into our own
cultural values to bring positive change for
better peaceful life.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
M. A. Hemalatha
Prathibimbha 3848/3
12th Cross, St. Mary's Road
Karunapura, NR Mohalla
564786 India
(91) 821-245-5000
Description: We think we can create a
peaceful community to support children so
they grow in harmony. Our highlight has been
working with orphan children. We have also
participated in cross-cultural programs in
various occasions.
N alamchira Sneha Sangamam, Mar
Theophilus Training College
Purpose: To make youth instruments for
peace in a world of tension and terror.As
teacher students we hope to carry the
message of URI principles to many
educational institutions in the near future. We
will move as ambassadors of peace and
harmony.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Md. Akram
Village:- DEONA. P.O.- Tilrath.
District- BegusaraiTilrath
BIH 851122 India
(91) 99-55-719-845
akram_tilrath@yahoo.co.in
Description: Our CC works in a reputed
Teachers' Training College in Trivandrum, the
capital city of Keralaala. We have about 200
members who are all teacher trainees. We
organize a number of programs every year
bringing together students from different
communities. We adopted a nearby village
and designed various programs to uplift the
people there. We invite a lot of prominent
religious speaKeralas and listen to the tenets
of all important religions. We regularly
participate in the Annual Youth camp and
other zonal activities.
Mumbai CC
Purpose: To foster interfaith harmony and
undertake activities under the umbrella of URI.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Homi B. Dhalla
4 Ivorine,
154 M. Karve road
Mumbai, Maharashtra
400 020 India
(91) 22-285-6530 / (91) 22-202-6303
wzcf@bom8.vsnl.net.in
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ligin V. Anugraha
Vlathankara, Chenkal.P.O, Neyyatinkara-
85
Khitiz Impex Pvt. Ltd., Plot No. 8&9, Kirti
Nagar,
New Delhi
India
(91)-11-41425374
(91)-11-45006207
(91) 9899470034
handapriya@yahoo.co.in
695132 Kerala
India
liginvijayan@rediffmail.com
Noida Interfaith CC
Purpose: To promote the spirit of interfaith
cooperation and harmony in keeping with the
aims and objectives of the URI Charter.
Paippadu
Paippadu Interfaith Council CC
Purpose: To promote harmony among
religions.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
D. S. Jaggi
Flat 375, Sector 29
Arun Vihar
Noida (U.P.)
201303 India
(91) 981-044-8529
dsjaggi@yahoo.com
Description: There are ten members in this
CC hailing from Hindu, Muslim and Christian
traditions. Paipadu is an area where there is a
large Muslim population and usually there is
tension in Muslim - Hindu relations. We have
a good core group there drawn to URI ideals
and we had several meetings there in the
recent past. It was per their suggestion that
we first translated the URI Charter into
Malayalam, our regional language. There is a
Sri Ram Krishna Ashram nearby and the
inmates are very enthusiastic about this CC.
We bring together people of all communities
and keep vigil to avoid religious clashes. We
participate in all the programs of the URI
Peace Centre, which is three kilo meters away
from us. They inspire us to undertake peace
processions every year.
Old Rajinder Nagar CC
Purpose: To promote peace and harmony in
the world, to follow sustainable development
and ensure safety of our children and
environment protection, to leave a better
world for future generations.
Description: We promote quality education
for children of all faiths and economic groups.
We plant trees and have pledged to protect
the environment to the best of our abilities.
We want to promote social harmony and
universal peace and caring for mother earth.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ishmail Parackal
Paippadu.P.O, Tiruvalla, Keralaala
Kerala, South India
(91) 475-229-2805
urisouthindia@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Meena Jain
3718, Upper Ground Floor, Old Rajinder
Nagar
New Delhi
110060 India
(91)-11-25721687
(91)-9310150783
sjain0969@rediffmail.com
Panagarh Help Care Society
Purpose: To promote national integration and
communal harmony among all religions and
traditions.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Priya Handa
86
110007 India
(91) 955-505-5023
(91) 955-505-5023
prasadbalmiki@yahoo.co.in
Description: We are working to help those in
need and we provide information regarding
health care. We also distribute free medicine
to the poor. In India, the health conditions of
poor people arevery serious. We also address
the education of poor families and their
children. We work with the government to sort
out various local conflicts in poor communities
and this includes working with people from
various faiths.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
B. Tirkey
140, Milansar Apartment
Delhi
110063 India
(91) 954-054-0610
Primary
Pri mary Contact:
Contact:
Jai P. Prasad
Netaji Subhas Colony Road
District- Burdwan
Panagarh
713148 West Bengal
India
(91) 993-214-6967
talk2jp@yahoo.in
Patiala CC
Purpose: To fulfill the need for peace and
humanity through institutional service by all
members, especially poor and special
children, the handicapped, and leprosy
patients.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Anjali Prasad
Netaji Subhas colony Road, Panagarh
District- Burdwan, Panagarh
713148 West Bengal
India
(91) 993 280 0720
Description: To help hearing impaired and
blind people to become self-reliant and to
help the leprosy affected by running a Leprosy
Colony in Patiala. We have also participated
in almost all the major activities of URI in India
like the Global Assembly, Asia Regional
Assembly, URI National assemblies, and
North Zone URI CC Zonal Meets.
Pashchim Vihar CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ashwani Kumar
839, Shahid Sewa Singh Thikriwala Nagar
Patiala, Punjab
India
(91) 175-204-200
uri.patiala@yahoo.com
Purpose: To promote peace and social
harmony.
Description: We are associated with Harijan
Sevak Sangh CC of URI and we work to
promote social harmony and peace. Though
we are a newly formed organization, we hope
to excel in this field. We also work for those in
need and also carryout signature campaigns
on social issues.
Pattazhi Sarva Matha Souhardha
Samithi CC
Purpose: To promote inter-religious harmony.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Balmiki Prasad
Depart. Of Buddhist Studies
Room No. 328 Extension Building, Faculty of
Arts,
University of Delhi
Delhi
Description: Pattazhi is a remote village in
Keralaala, which is famous for its Hindu
temples and festivals. We are one of the
oldest CCs in Keralaala and have been
working to promote inter-religious harmony.
87
Our programs include the study of various
religions, seminars on economic and social
issues, community development activities, and
visits to religious centres etc.
Rainbow CC
Purpose: To organize interfaith youth actions
for better harmonious community, to engage
youth in dialogue and in decision making in
society; to bring youth talent to the forefront
of the society; and to bridge the gap between
the elders and the youth in a very sacred way
by creating a common platform of dialogue to
address the issues and the social challenges.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
N. G. Nair
Manimandiram,Thekketheri P.O., Pattazhi,
Kollam,
Kerala
691522 India
(91) 475-239-9574
urisouthindia@gmail.com
Description: Our CC promotes education
for children through several projects like Run
for Peace, Youth in Social Action, and a
computer training program. We also work
jointly with other local URI CCs on community
projects.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lukose Cherian
Manimandiram,Thekketheri P.O., Pattazhi,
Kollam,
Kerala
691522 India
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Udit Chakraborty
Vill- Adhkara Post-Panchmura
District- Bankura
Panchmura West Bengal
722156 India
rainbow3243@gmail.com
Perumbavoor CC
Purpose: To promote global peace and
harmony.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Saildul I. Mullick
Panchmura, District- Bankura
Panchmura
West Bengal
722156 India
Description: Perumbavoor is an education
center and the CC concentrates mainly on the
student community. Programs include
seminars, discussion groups, study tours, etc.
We are one of the oldest CCs in the
Ernakulam District of Keralaala. Ours is a
predominantly Muslim area and we are the link
among various communities in the region. We
meet occasionally to study about various
religions and ideologies.
Rajinder Nagar CC
Purpose: To promote peace and harmony
amongst all faiths, to protect the girl child, and
to create environment consciousness.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jacob P. Oommen
Poonthottam, I Mile
Perumbavoor. P.O
Kerala
683542 India
(91) 484-252-7070
jpolee@sify.com
Description:
Description We are new but plan to engage
ourselves in generating awareness of moral
and spiritual values in society through
activities and dialogue among people in our
community, especially youth. We recognize
the need for dialogue on nonviolence,
education and training. On April 25, 2009, we
enjoyed coming together to affirm allegiance
to URI on the occasion of URI CC meeting.
88
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Anuradha Mathur
Salwan Montessori School, Pusa Road
New Delhi
110060 India
(91) 1125781118
(91) 1125686383 / (91) 9971883320
salwan.montessori@yahoo.com
Religions for Social Justice CC
Purpose: To create an active forum for uniting
various religious traditions that flourish in
India.
Description:
Our CC aims create and develop a shared
agenda to promote good of people for the
safe guarding of the health of society. In
recent years we have been actively involved in
organizing the Asia Regional Assembly in
New Delhi and we attended North Zone CCs
Zonal Meeting at Salwan School in 2009 and
also the URI National Assembly at Keralaala.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sampati Sharma
Salwan Montessori School, Pusa Road
New Delhi
110060 India
(91)-11-25781118 (also fax)
(91)-11-46082848
(91)-9811903883
salwanmontessori@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mohinder Singh
C/O Director's Residence
Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan
Bhai Vir Singh Marg (near Gole Market)
New Delhi, Delhi
110-001 India
(91) 11-23363510
Ranchi CC
Purpose: To raise the voice for tribal and dalit
rights as well as securing food for life and
promoting communal harmony.
Description: Our CC is motivating people for
a corruption free society. We run a national
campaign to speak out against discrimination,
promote voices for tribal rights, and take a
stand for saving Zamin, Jal, Jungle ( the land,
water, forest) around the local tribal area of
Jharkhand.
Rohini - CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote
Gandhian values of communal harmony, nonviolence and peace; to fight against
untouchability; and to work for education for
girls and women and healthcare issues, like
water sanitation and proper hygiene.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Gopi N. Ghosh
Florescent Nightingale (N) School Campus
Birsa Chawk
Ranchi
834002 India
(91) 919-953-9809
Description: Our activities include rallies,
workshop, seminars, personal visits to
affected areas, pamphlets and literature
distribution, etc.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rishi Singh
57, Saraswati Enclave Apt, 26/3,
Sector-9, Rohini
New Delhi India
0091-11-27557757
0091-11-27867757
rishisingh6@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Md. Talib
Near Madrasa Hussainia, Kadru, District Ranchi
Ranchi, Jharkhand
834002 India
(91) 993-457-0445
ahsan_talibm@yahoo.com
89
development and bringing tribal people into
the mainstream, taking care of handicapped,
helping in the rehabilitation of Leprosy and
breaking the barriers of caste system in India.
We are also working with the tribe known as
“Dalit.”
Roshini CC
Purpose: To promote rights and religious
tolerance
Description: Roshni CC conducted two
meetings with members to discuss URI work
in their locality. We translated the URI PPPs
and Charter into the Gujarati language so it
can be better understood. We have been
actively holding talks with the like minded
groups in Ahmedabad city and promoting
interfaith understanding. In the month of
December, we organized an all women rally in
collaboration with Action Aid on the
occassion of the Babri Mosque demolition
and rallied the city to promote communal
harmony.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kalyan K. Kisku
Central Church Compound College Road
District- Bankura
Bankura, West Bengal
722101 India
(91) 32-42-250-001
(91) 32-42-251304
(91) 94-34-021-526
kalyankisku@yahoo.co.in
www.rudeso.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Susanta Modak
Central Church Compound, College Road
Bankura, West Bengal
722101 India
(91) 03242-250001
(91) 92327-40673
rudeso@rediffmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Naila Mansuri
69/235, GHB, OPP. Urdu School
Old Bapunagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat India
(91) 999-811-8339
ayesha.mansuri@yahoo.com
Rural Development Society CC
Purpose: To create an equalitarian civil
society free from exploitation, oppression that
involves all section of people irrespective of
caste, creed, color or religion. To promote
holistic development for the people by the
people for the creation of a just world.
Sadar Hills and Valley CC
Description: When we were thinking to
celebrate 100 years of the Mahatma Gandhi’s
Satyagraha movement, at that time we got
introduced to URI, so it was very right moment
and call for us to join the peace building
organization URI. We are already working to
break the barriers of caste system in India and
creating communal space where we can all
be supportive in solving the issues that hold
the nation hostage. We work to promote
enduring, communal harmony through
Gandhi’s message of non-violence. We try to
achieve communal harmony through holistic
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Vumthang Sitlhou
General Secretary, Manipur Baptist
Convention (MBC), Distict - Imphal
Imphal, Manipur MAN 795001 India
(91) 385-232-0177
vumthang2@yahoo.com
Purpose: To promote and uphold URI's
charter and its Preamble, Purpose and
Principles with specific reference to Hill and
Valley inter-religious and communal harmony.
Sadbhawana (Goodwill)
Purpose: To spread non-violence and peace
in this world.
90
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Arvinder K. Banga
7/7, Old Rajendra Nagar
New Delhi
110060 India
(91) 1145083202 (also fax)
(91) 9811045249
arvinder2006@gmail.com
Description: Our CC promotes communal
harmony through celebrating festivals of
different religions and also by organizing
interfaith prayers. We participated in the
Global Assembly in India, Zonal meeting of
the URI North Zone and other activities of URI
organized by HSS.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Nidhi Sharma
B-55, M.I.G. Flats, Chitrakut, East of Loni
Road, Shahdara
Delhi
110093 India
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sherry Kapoor
E-209, 2nd Floor, New Rajendra Nagar
Delhi
110060 India
(91) 1145090036
(91) 9871032159
kapoor.sherry@yahoo.co.in
Sahredaya Interfaith Forum, Mylom CC
Purpose: To promote peace and harmony.
Samaanta CC
Description: We concentrate on health care.
We have a blood donation forum. We
promote re-habilitation of T.B. patients and
supply their medication. Other activities
include educational promotion, inter-religious
workshops, child wefare projects and so on.
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote peace
and rights.
Description: We formed our group with
people who are already active in peace
building work though they are from different
professions. The members in our group have
been campaigning against caste and religious
based discrimination and also promoting
peace and inter-religious harmony. Our most
memorable activity so far was a Marathon
Peace March to end religious motivated
violence which took place in the neighboring
province in Gujarat. We certainly hope to
have a strong group with more financial
support and to work rigorously for peace. We
also hope to involve people from the political
arena to make our voice heard at policy level.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
E G. Benny
Elamkulathu House,
Pallickal P.O.,
Kottarakkara
Kerala
India
(91) 474-265-2244
Salwan PTA (Parents, Teachers, and
Alumni) CC
Purpose: To promote enduring interfaith
cooperation and religiously motivated violence
and to create cultures of peace, justice and
healing for the earth and all living beings.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Aamb Singh
Village Post Kita, Via Fatehgarh, Dist:
Jaisalmer
Rajasthan India
(91) 09828294191
Description:
Description We participated in the zonal URI
CCs North Zone meeting at Salwan School, a
signature campaign against terrorism, and
tree plantings, etc.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Kundan Singh Mal Singh
Shivalta Pada, Jaisalmer
91
Rajasthan
India
(91) 9784025566
Sangrur District CC
Purpose: To make co-existence of different
communities possible in a healthy way.
Description: Our CC to maintain communal
harmony in Malerkot and other regions of
Punjab through URI activities which mainly
include interfaith prayers and peace talks.
Samaj Joro Abhiyan
Purpose: Promoting friendship and communal
harmony building undivided and equal society.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Salim Ahmad
Vill. PO Haider
Pur Tehsil, Malerkotal District
Sangrur, Punjab
India
(91) 981-425-5388
salimbijoki1966@yahoo.co.in
Description: Our CC is working to protect
the rivers from encroachment and save the
forest, and we also work to help with health
problems created by pollution in local villages.
We protested the construction of a local dam,
to protect local villages living on the land near
the proposed construction site. With the help
of the government, we were able to relocate
the villages, and are working for
compensation for the people who lost their
land. Our future activities include:
environmental work, such as campaigns to
save the rivers and forests; health awareness
projects; protesting construction that causes
health problems; and working on issues of
discrimination in the community.
Self Assisting Training Herald SATH
Purpose: To promote education, communal
harmony, national integration, and sociocultural awareness for the downtrodden
people of the society. We strongly feel that
providing proper education to every child and
illiterate adult will prove the backbone for
development in every sphere of the life of the
citizens of this country and will prove catalyst
to imbrue self development awareness in the
mind of every individual. We intend to sketch,
plan and implement methods feasible for
literary and educational development in the
Indian socio-cultural setup. There are social
and biological factors ( e.g., caste, religion,
region, sex, language etc.) that makes every
society unique and facilitate in making unique
social bonds, the nature and use of which
either hinder or pave the path for the
development of society. We plan to organize
awareness camps for the nature and use of
such factors in constructive ways.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Pramod Kumar
Village + Post - Satbarwa, P.S- Medininagar,
District- Palamau
Medininagar, Jharkhand
822126 India
(94) 3157-3250
pramod52782@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Chhameswar Mehta
Village + Post -, P.S- Medininagar
District - Latehar
Medininagar, Jharkhand
822126 India
(91) 943-1573-480
pramod52782@yahoo.com
Description: Our CC plans to execute
activities regarding literacy, social issues,
health, and environment. We are trying to
eradicate social ills prevailing in Indian
society, check environmental degradation and
92
establish peace and harmony among people
of different communities.
249193 India
(91)-9997976556
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Md. Yahya Saba
Dept. of Urdu, Kirori Mal College
University of Delhi
New Delhi
110007 India
(91) 9968244001-2
depturdukmcdu@yahoo.com
http://people.du.ac.in/~mysaba/
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Suraj Rauniwal
Hanuman Chowk, Uttarakashi
Uttarakhane
249193 India
(91) 9997976556
uri.patiala@yahoo.com
Sirmour District CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Vikas Kumar
Dept. of History
University of Delhi
Delhi
India
vikasdu@hotmail.com
Purpose: Living together makes life better for
everyone.
Description: Our CC promotes interfaith
dialogue, prayers, peace, non-violence, and
the principles of URI among the masses. We
participated in the Asia Regional Assembly in
New Delhi, the Global Assembly in Mayapur,
and the Zonal Meetings of URI North Zone.
Shanti Van CC
Purpose: Interfaith dialogue and religious
harmony and peace along with care for
environment.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rohit Kathuria
255/10 Arya Vatika, Devi Nagar
Paonta Sahib
Dist. Sirmour, Himachal Pradash
India
(94) 18061025
rohitkathuria@sancharnet.net.in
Description: Shanti Van CC is working in
the Holy city of Uttarkashi in the foothills of
Ganges, a place for almost all people from
different religions. Members of the Shanti Van
CC are working for the solutions to
religious
conflicts
that arise due
to
incomplete knowledge of different religions
and to make people aware of their religions
by arranging meetings at block level. We
also educate on the logical literary meanings
of different Holy Books. We develop
workshops and seminars to promote interreligious harmony and peace. We promote
inter-religious harmony and peace and
protection of environment. We are mainly
active in the Uttarakashi Region of Uttar
Pradesh and Punjab.
Social Team CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation
and harmony in Bangalore
Primary Contact:
Contact:
P. Sethu
874, 17th E. Main
6th Block
Koramangala, Bangalore
560095 India
(91) 80-552-4036
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Nileshwara Nand
Shiv Kutir, Lakheshwar, Uttarkashi
Uttar Pradesh
93
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Renu Singla
Deaf & Dumb School
Behind Punjabi University,
Patiala
147002 India
(91) 175-205-0353
patiala-deafblind-school@hotmail.com
Society for Awareness & Prevention of
HIV/ AIDS CC
Purpose: HIV/AIDS Awareness and AIDS
prevention in Indian subcontinent
Description: Our CC generates awareness
through peer education for HIV/AIDS among
sex-worKeralas and migrants, manages
counseling centres, and advocates HIV/AIDS
education as part of the public health agenda
to support behavior change communication
programs. We recently participated in the URI
Zonal Meeting of North India.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Karminder Singh Col
Amar Ashram Patiala
Patiala
147001 India
(91) 175-230-1819
(91) 175-221-2929
Col_karaminder@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rajiv Tandon
C-55 Anand Niketan
New Dehli
110021 India
9811103305
rtandon@eth.net
South Delhi CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith cooperation.
Description: Our CC promotes interfaith
cooperation, harmony, perace in society
through our activities. We have also
participated in various URI programs
organized under the North Zone.
Society for Welfare of Handicapped
CC
Purpose: Promotion of peace and harmony
initiatives among various religious groups with
secular approaches national and international
levels.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Madan B. Sindhu
B-517
New Friends Colony
New Delhi
110065 India
(91) 11-268-33749
(91) 11-268-46922
Description: Our society has been working
for 43 years to provide shelter and education
for people of all classes and religious affinities
and to those with physical challenges. We are
running schools with a hostel facility for
children, men and women with physical
challenges which is free of cost. We also
started religious counseling to promote nonviolent religious interactions through interfaith
dialogue. We arranged a north India URI
workshop in November 2009 at the
premises of the Patiala school for the hearing
and vision impaired. Col Karaminder Singh,
the secretary of the Society for Welfare of
Handicapped CC, has been the administrator
of the institution for 20 years.
Springtide Opus
Purpose: To become a thread that binds the
organizations working at the grassroot level
with an established organization and help
them communicate as one entity, to provide
them with ample of support for their
sustenance, and to sensitize youth towards
social issues.
94
Description: Our CC has been involved with
a group of street children and helped them
engage in constructive social activities.
St. Goretti CC
Purpose: To work for religious harmony and
world peace
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Anjan M. Sadavarte
Sushil Bldg, Block 5 T.S. 5 Santacruz (East)
Mumbai
40055 India
(91) 0222-6184-784
(91) 982-079-3628
anjansadavarte@gmail.com
Description: Our CC activities include
counseling classes for teenagers, a peace
building institute; interreligious dialogues, and
awareness campaigns on drug and alcohol
abuse.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Leethu Thampi
Valiya Vilayil House, Mavila P.O.
Punalur, Kerala
691305 India
(91) 475-2222457
(91) 9961448394
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rajeev Raghavan
(91) 9821205290
Sri Garib Dass CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rahul Raj
Oam Nivas, Elampal P.O.
Punalur, Kerala
691305 India
(91) 475-222-2457
(91) 949-615-1161
Purpose: To create an environment where
every one lives in complete peace and
harmony with each other.
Description: Our CC seeks to impart
education to rural children by running a school
in a rural area, to care for elderly, and to
preserve the environment. We actively
participate in URI activities of North Zone
India.
Suchetana CC
Purpose: To promote communal harmony by
nurturing love through art, drama, music. To
build trust so people live a sparkling peaceful
life with the truth from the heart.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Karamjit Kaur
Satkar Vihar
Behind Eagle Hotel near
Focal Point, Rajpura District
Patiala, Punjab
140401 India
(91) 176-223-2032
jdeep5@rediffmail.com
Description: We perform street drama and
theatre performances to promote nonviolence and co-existence and received
various awards and recognitions. The
performances capture the reality of society as
well as the future challenges for us. Our work
has been appreciated and well reputed in
various communities. Through our
performances, we have demonstrated and
protested various issues that lead to the
violence and conflicts.
Secondary Contact
Contact::
R S. Dhaliwal
(91) 941-743-6656
kuldeep@journalist.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ramkrishna Chand
95
etc. Apart from this, we actively participate in
URI programs like Zonal meetings, the Global
Assembly, the National Assembly, etc. We
also celebrate Environment Day and IDP and
hold interfaith prayers, peace programs, and
other programs of URI.
House of: Swapan Dutta. Bara Kali Tala.,
P.O.-Sonamukhi
District- Bankura
Sonamukhi
West Bengal
722207 India
(91) 94-3425-4596
suchetana3244@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jagdeep Singh
SGB International Foundation Dham
Talawandi Khurd
Via Swaddi Distt., Ludhiana, Haryana
India
(91) 162-424-5988
jdeep5@rediffmail.com
Sunlight CC Rajasthan
Purpose: To promote communal harmony and
interfaith dialogue
Description:
Description: Our CC, Sunlight CC, along
with Kiran CC were able to hold a meeting
with the City Collector to seek his
cooperation in carrying out URI work in our
region. Since then, we held a meeting of more
than 100 people on the occassion of Eid and
Diwali to celebrate the composite culture
which is the very essence of interreligious
tolerancel; this was a big success.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jasbir Kaur
(91) 981-450-8488
sgbfoundation@yahoo.com
Tagore Peace Circle
Purpose: To promote communal harmony and
peace through tagore philosophy and by
promoting art and music.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bhanwari Vyas
Sawera Sansthan, Ghadiwas Rd., near New
Bus Stand, Balotra
Rajasthan
India
(91) 982-894-8701
sawera.bhanwari@gmail.com
Description: We are all from the local areas
of Bolpur and Shantiniketan and very inspired
by Tagore philosophy. We believe in unity in
diversity and we come from various ethnical
backgrounds, promoting and practicing best
ways to manifest human love. We are raising
our voice through educational programs and
through Tagore University. We are also
working with government and other
institutions.
Swami Ganganand JI Bhuriwale URI
Purpose: To create an environment where
every one lives in complete peace and
harmony with each other.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Biswajit Ghosh
School Bagan, Bolpur
District- Birbhum
Bolpur, West Bengal
731204 India
(91) 943-410-1550
biswajitghosh75@rediffmail.com
Description: Our CC is involved in working
for religious and social causes, working for
orphaned children, organizing games for
developmentally disabled children, holding
religious confrences, running a home for
abandoned and orphaned children, running a
free medical dispensary, and holding
behavioral change communication programs,
96
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sajan Varughese
Kunnumpurathu, Tiruvalla R.S. PO
Kerala
689111 India
sajantiruvalla@hotmail.com
Thirikkannamangal URI
Purpose: To build a peaceful and just society.
Description: Most of our CC members are
government officials, teachers and students.
Our goal is to see a place free of communal
rivalry and we extend all support to local
bodies and organizations in designing
programs for this goal. We also have a music
troop and conduct concerts to raise funds for
our activities. We attend all zonal programs
and participate in IDP celebrations every year.
Secondary Contact
Contact:
Iype Abraham
K I Abraham & Co. Chartered Accountants
Tiruvalla -1
Kerala
689111 India
ipe@sify.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shibu Thomas
Anandabhavan, Thirikkannamangal P.O.
Kottarakara, Kerala
691506 India
0474-345-4468
944-613-4243
shibuthomasktr@gmail.com
Trivandrum Interreligious Fellowship
CC
Purpose: To foster inter-religious harmony.
Description: This is the second CC in the
capital city of Keralaala. Most of the members
are reputed teachers and students. Programs
undertaken have included: educational
counseling, health care, hospital guidance,
seminars on varoius topics, scholarship for
poor students and so on.
Secondary Contact
Contact:
tact:
A. Abdul Jaleel AboobacKerala
Jasmine Manzil, Thazhuthala
Kottiyam, P.O. Kollam, Kerala
691571 India
(91) 0474-253-1947
(91) 944-611-9152
Primary Contact:
Contact:
W. Alexander
Kunnumpuram, 676, Darshan Nagar
Peroorkkada P.O.
Trivandrum, Kerala
India
Tiruvalla Interfaith Forum
Purpose: To make our world a better place to
live in.
Description: We work in close communion
with the Interfaith Students' Movement of
India. Our members are very active in the
Y.M.C.A and Rotary. We conduct a series of
activities aimed at leadership development,
career guidance, counselling and personality
development. We help schools to build up
libraries. We also support the BrainsTrust,
Bestarts and other such organizations in
schools and colleges.
Tronica City CC
Purpose: To promote a harmonious world
living on a clean, green earth, with fresh air,
pure drinking water and food for all.
Description: We work with other CCs and
we wish to see URI growing in strength. We
promote harmony for universal peace and
brotherhood, teach destitute children, visit
orphanages and old homes with gifts and
food, plant trees and save stray animals.
97
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Divya Tyagi
B-70 Lal Bagh
Loni Ghaziabad
201102 India
(91) 9811399482
salwan.tronica@gmail.com
www.salwanpublicschooltronica.com
Upasana CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith dialogue and
harmony.
Description: Upasana Centre, Thodupuzha
is a CC founded by Fr. Albert Nambiar
Parambil, a veteran in the field of interfaith
dialogue in India. This is the only CC in the
Idukki District of Keralaala. There are
programs on all days of the week. These
include various counseling courses,
educational seminars, women's welfare
projects, interfaith dialogues, literary clubs
and so on. An excellent library is also run by
the Centre.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gurpreet Singh
D-6/10 DLF Ankur Vihar
Ghaziabad
201102 India
(91) 9212822336
salwan.tronica@gmail.com
www. salwanpublicschooltronica.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Albert Nambiaparambil
Upasana Centre
Thodupuzha P.O.
Kerala
685584 India
(91) 486-222-3286
upasana_dr@satyam.net.in
United Religions Initiative, Ladakh
Branch
Purpose: To promote enduring, daily interfaith
cooperation, to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace,
justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.
URI Anjilithanam Kerala
Description: Our CC is working to uplift the
downtrodden section of the society and
marginalized communities of by educating girl
children, and caring for the sick, elderly,
disabled and visually impaired people. We
promote religious harmony and interfaith unity
among Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs
and Christians. We also actively particiapte in
North Zone programs like Zonal Meets, IDP,
etc.
Purpose: To strive for a peaceful community
and to unite the down trodden sections for
healing the earth.
Description: Several of our members have
attended peace-building trainings in
Thiruvalla. We want to be the change. We
meet at regular intervals in different places.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
C. Muthu
Thottathil, Anjilithanam P.O, Thiruvalla, Kerala
689582 India
(91) 0469-269-0109 / (91) 965-660-2047
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bhikkhu Sanghasena
Mahabodhi International, Devachan
Meditation Centre, P.O. Box No 22
Leh Ladakh
194101 India
(91) 1982 264372 (Meditation Centre)
(91) 09906902025
gyamsa_retreat@yahoo.com
http://www.mahabodhi-ladakh.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mohanan Pillai V.M.
Chandravilasam, Kaviyoor, P.O.
Tiruvalla, Kerala
India
98
Vayakkal
Vayak kal CC
Women's Self Help CC at Mumbai
Purpose: To make peace and co-operation
among different religions.
Purpose: To promote interfaith peace by
supporting programs for school and college
students to improve peace awareness and
interreligious harmony and cooperation,
including celebrations of festivals during the
year. We wish to join in the pursuit of peace
and support the purpose of URI and accept
the rights and responsibilities of the
membership of URI.
Description: Vayakkal CC specializes in
agriculture and related topics. We give
assistance to farmers for organic planning.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Varghese M.C.
Munjanattu House, Vayakkal P.O.
Kollam District, Kerala
691548 India
(91) 474-247-0238
Description: The education of poor children
continues to be a deep passion and giving
free educational books to children is central to
the work of this CC. Doing this social work
together has helped to galvanize the will of
many other women.
Women Welfare and Rehabilitation
Center CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kety Jokhi
122A
Kismet Bldg
Sassoon Dock
Colaba, Mumbai
400005 India
(91) 22-2218-2246
(98) 2140-7519
kjokhi@rediffmail.com
Purpose: Stands for women rights and
dignity and eliminate violence on women to
establish peaceful family though promoting
self help women group.
Description: We are more than 100 women
from around local areas who raise our voices
to stop domestic violence against women. As
a result of our work, we have resolved many
cases in the court against women who
needed support. We set up various small
scale businesses (like making dolls and toys,
cloth, etc.) to support women financially. We
have fought and still fight against the dowry
system in our country.
World Fellowship of Interreligious
Councils CC
Purpose:
Purpos e: To promote inter-religious harmony
and peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sikha Misra
Serpur Telengabar, Post - Contai, East
Medinipur District
Contai, West Bengal
721401 India
(91) 933-393-9361
Description: This is an organization of
international repute which celebrated its silver
jubilee recently. Many international
conferences were held in different parts of
India. WFIRC functions as a hub of all
interfaith activities among various related
organizations.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Amalesh Misra
Serpur Telengabar, Post - Contai
District: East Medinipur, Contai, West Bengal
721 401 India
(91) 933-393-9361
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Meher Master-Moos
Mustafa Buildings 2nd Floor
Sir PM Road
99
Bunpyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu
Cheongju, Chungbuk Korea
(82) 43-253-7422
(82) 43-265-8729
lahirima@chungbuk.ac.kr
Bombay
400001 India
(91) 222-364-4737
meheramymaster@rediffmail.com
Secondary
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
KOREA
URI Busan/Gyeongnam CC
Purpose: To create cultures of peace and
love.
Description: Our CC holds interreligious
workshops and sporting events.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Simsan Hwang
1120-1 Dugu-dong
Geumjeong-gu
Busan
Korea
(82) 52-508-0345
sshyd@daum.net
URI Chuncheon/Gangwon CC
Purpose: To realize the spirit of the URI
charter in Chuncheon/Gangwon.
Description: Our CC holds interreligious and
intercultural dialogues and workshops.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Hyeuk Lee
255 Deogduwonri, Seomyeon
Chuncheon, Gangwon Korea
(82) 33-244-6448
rdorje200@yahoo.co.kr
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
URI Cheongju/Chungbuk CC
Purpose: To practice in the spirit of religious
pluralism.
Description: Our CC holds URI dialogues
and workshops.
URI Daegu/Gyeongbuk CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Younghwan Kim
806-702 Hyundai-Daewoo Apt.
Purpose: To build harmony and cooperation
of religions in Korea.
100
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Gwangmin Kim
1 San, Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu
Gwangju
Korea
(82) 62-383-6448
bubbo109@hanmail.net
Description: Our CC holds URI open
classes.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ki H. Chang
907-2 Mok 5 dong,
Yangcheon-gu
Seoul 158-055 Korea
urikorea@chollian.net
URI Incheon/Gyeonggi CC
URI Daejeon/Chungnam CC
Purpose: To realize the URI spirit in Incheon.
Purpose: To create harmony and cooperation
between religions and to preserve the culture
of traditional religions.
Description: Our CC holds interreligious
dialogues and workshops.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Namsu Park
813 Suwoon Bldg. Gyeongun-dong
Jongno-gu
Korea
(82) 2-2264-8260
(82) 2-2264-8261
kykim4200@daum.net
www.urikorea.org
Description: Our CC holds interreligious
workshops.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
URI Gwangju/Jeonnam CC
Purpose: To realize the URI spirit in Gwangju.
Description: Our CC held interreligious
gatherings.
101
Purpose: To actualize the URI spirit in Jeju.
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
Description: Our CC holds interreligious and
multicultural meetings.
URI Korea CC
U RI Jeju CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Muncheol Lim
114 Samdo 2 dong
Jeju
690-809 Korea
(82) 64-698-9963
simonlim@chol.com
Purpose: To accomplish the URI's purpose
and principles in Korea and around the world.
Description:
Description: Our CC holds a URI Peace
Forum monthly and organizes multicultural
workshops.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832 / (82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
(82) 17-264-8260
jinwol@dongguk.edu
www.urikorea.org
URI Korea Cyber Society CC
URI Jeonju/Jeonbuk CC
Purpose: To realize the URI idea in Korea
through the internet.
Purpose: To create cultures of peace and
justice.
Description: We manage an interreligious
website.
Description: Our CC holds intereligious
dialogues and workshops.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sung C. Shin
813 Suwoon Bldg, Gyeongun-dong,
Jongnogu
Seoul
100-775 Korea
(82) 2-2264-8260
urikorea@chollian.net
http://seos.dongguk.ac.kr/uri-korea
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Se W. Lee
737 Dangte0rum Usei-myeon
Wanju-gun,Junbuk Korea
(82) 63-221-5940
leesewoo@yahoo.co.kr
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jinwol Young H. Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju
780-714 Korea
(82) 54-770-2832
Secondary Contacts:
Contacts:
Seong Beob
907-2 Mok 5 dong
Yangcheon-gu
Seoul
158-055 Korea
102
jinwol@dongguk.edu
http://seos.dongguk.ac.kr/uri-korea
levels of society and to promote interfaith
understanding.
Ven. Seong Beob
907-2 Mok 5 dong, Yangcheon-gu
158055 Seoul
Korea
(82) 22642-0363
(82) 222-64-8260
(82) 222-64-8261
jinwol@dongguk.edu
http://seos.dongguk.ac.kr/uri-korea
urikorea@chollian.net
Description: Our CC promotes interfaith
dialogue among people and peace programs
by involving youth and also participating in the
Global Assembly and Asia Regional
Assembly.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Minakshi Yogi
Prakashananda Marga, House No. 15
(Po Box) 6810
Sinamangal , Kathmandu
Nepal
(977) 1-449-5223
(977) 1-980-301-0435
mail2jagannath@yahoo.co.uk
NEPAL
Shanti Shanti Sangh CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jagannath Kandel
Prakashananda Marga, House No. 15
(Po Box) 6810
Sinamangal , Kathmandu
Nepal
(977)1-500-6224
(977) 1-980-301-0435
mail2jagannath@yahoo.co.uk
Purpose: To promote spiritual harmony,
peace, and development with a spiritual
foundation.
Description: Our CC aims to spread the
principles of URi among the masses. We have
participated in the Asia Regional Assembly in
New Delhi and the Global Assembly in
Mayapur.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Chirendra Satyal
P.O. Box 2605
Kathmandu
Nepal
(977) 1- 441-4267
cyrilbaje@yahoo.co.in
PAKISTAN
A Better Community for all Pakistan
ABC4ALL
Purpose: To seek hope, peace and harmony
in the world. To promote interfaith dialogue
for peace and reconciliation. To work towards
maximizing charitable contributions locally and
globally. To create sustainability and
development for suffering communities. To
save children now from oppression and
protect their rights to education and health.
To promote youth and women empowerment.
To increase awareness of Health concerns,
including HIV/AIDS. To work towards ending
human rights violations. To work towards
elimination of poverty. To work towards
confronting climate/environmental issues,
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Anthony Willett
P.O. Box 4201
Kathmandu
Nepal
Youth Society for Peace (YSP) Nepal
Purpose: To encourage youth to uphold and
promote peace and selfless service at all
103
communities through micro crediting,
community development, and capacity
building of community leaders; 2)To work on
non formal education, formal education, and
vocational education in poor and neglected
communities; 3) To promote peace building
concepts on social harmony, interfaith
dialogue and communal harmony for
harmonious living and culture of peace and
tolerance; 4) To empower communities
through access to enterprises education and
micro finance services; 5) To make people
aware of their human rights and civic rights
and provide needy women and children free
legal aid and advocacy on women and
children's issues legislation; 6) To remain
vigilant to work for the relief and rehabilitation
work during emergency situation cause by
natural and man-made disasters; 7) To
provide advisory services and training in
reproductive health, gender equality, women
in development and poverty alleviation,
community development, social studies, social
issues, health, education and other related
fields of human development and human
welfare and other related fields.
thereby promoting a healthy, sustainable
planet .
Description:
Description: A Better Community for
All/Pakistan was launched on May 3, 2008
while celebrating the Global Love Day. As a
CC, we have organized community get
togethers to tell children, youth and women in
our community about URI's PPPs and have
also invited other interfaith communities for
interfaith dialogue. We celebrated
International Day of Peace in 2008 and 2009.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Yuel Bhatti
23-A Forman Christian College
Ferozepur Road
Lahore
54600 Pakistan
(92) 42-3591-4227
(92) 321-944-4992
peaceyuel@gmail.com
www.abc4all.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nauman Zaki
UG-25 Eden Towers 82 E/1 Main Boulevard
Gulberg III
Lahore
Pakistan
(92) 423-6114003
(92) 3004217118
info@webworx.com.pk
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sarfraz Clement
House #60 La Salle Colony
Multan
60000 Pakistan
(92) 61-6511212
(92) 0300-630-7403
apppk@brain.net.pk
Action Against Poverty CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Amir Yaqoob
House 966 New Street
Chathalay Wale
Multan
60500 Pakistan
(92) 61-458-7448
(92) 333-611-6872
amiryagub2003@yahoo.com
Purpose: To organize and encourage people
to participate in actions that lead toward
sustainable peace. To motivate people to
utilize their resources, their time, talent and
treasures (TTT) for peaceful co-existence. To
speak out for tolerance and human respect,
regardless of religion, color or creed.
Description: AAP is working for Development
and Disaster management in Punjab province.
AAP is working with the following objectives:
1) To work for the economic and social uplift
of the underprivileged and neglected
104
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ehsan U. Bajwa
House #52, Street #5
Gala Nishat Wala, Mohalla Islampura, District
Sialkot,
Punjab Province,Daska
Pakistan
bajwa_22000@yahoo.com
All Faiths Harmony CC
Purpose: To promote harmony, peace and
interfaith dialogue though sports, meetings,
and by celebration of religious and national
holidays.
Description: All Faiths Harmony CC
organizes programs at Christmas, Easter and
Breaking of the Fast for Muslims, International
Women's Day, and Pakistan Independence
Day. We host student study camps, youth
awareness programs and social awareness
programs. Through these activities, hundreds
of Muslims and Christians have joined and
worked together for peace and harmony including teachers, youth, journalists, lawyers,
human rights activists, political personalities
and also people in civil administration. When
ever there is conflict between Muslims and
Christian, we intervene and help with
reconciliation.
Ambassadors of Love, Arts and Peace
ALAAP
Purpose: To promote a culture of peaceful
coexistence in Pakistan.
Description: Alaap was formed as a volunteer
initiative by a group of artists, research
worKeralas and human rights activists. It was
created as a research-based cultural and
interfaith organization against a backdrop of
rising religious extremism and socio-political
violence in the society of Pakistan. Alaap was
created in response to the depleting cultural
diversity of Pakistan. The research areas of
Alaap mainly emphasis cultural diversity and
has three aspects. The first focuses on peace
and Sufism; the second is about the
communities of Lahore; and third is a
community profile of the Bahar Colony of
Lahore, one of the oldest Christian localities
of Lahore. Alaap is closely linked with the
social and Human Rights organizations and
literary/artistic forums, such as Janniesses
Musicales International (JMI), which is the
world largest network of the organizations
working on youth and music.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Javed Younas
Catholic Church, Shadman Colony, Dist.
Toba Tek Singh
Pir Mahal
36300 Pakistan
(92) 46-566-1535
(92) 46-566-1535
Allama Iqbal CC
Purpose: To promote peace and religious
harmony through schools and other
educational institutions.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Aftah Javed
Alaap- Flat-8
First floor, Salim complex
Q-Block, Model TownLahore
Pakistan
(92) 42-840-4430
(92) 300-812-12-42
alaapgift@yahoo.com
www.alaap.com.pk
Description: Allama Iqbal CC promotes
interfaith harmony through education in
different schools. Our activities have included
celebrating the Eid, Easter and Christmas
programs together with all faiths, especially
Muslims and Christians. We held a school
event in May 2009 and awarded prizes for the
best performance in school.
105
Description: Our CC has organized different
programs on interfaith dialogue, youth
awareness, equality, community development
and health. We provide information on health
and free medicine through the Free Medical
Camp. We also hold training workshops for
teachers. We've celebrated International Day
of Peace and held a peace walk.
Anglo Asian Friendship Society
Society CC
Purpose: To work for the welfare of humanity,
to promote interfaith harmony for peace
among the religions, and to help the
oppressed community with medical help.
Description: Anglo Asian Friendship Society
is based in UK. It is a Welfare and Charity
Organization and has a branch in Pakistan.
We hold many interfaith events at the eves of
Dewali and Holi with coordination of Krishna
Mander Society and Aquf Board including Eid
(Muslim), Christmas and Easter (Christian),
the Birthday of Guru Nanak and Waski
(Sikh), Shabe-E-Narooze (Paris and Bahai)
Dewali and Holi (Hindu). Our Society also
holds free Eye Care Camps at the United
Christian Hospital, Lahore. We distributed
relief packages to the earthquake victims in
Pakistan.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shahzad Francis
St. #8, Hostel Road, Khurampura Colony
Khanewal
58150 Pakistan
(92) 65-255-6179
(92) 300-789-6630
bethakngo@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Shazia Sarwat
St. #8, Hostel Road, Khurampura Colony
Khanewal
58150 Pakistan
(92) 65-201-9956
(92) 65-255-6179
(92) 300-789-6630
bethakngo@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Munawar Chand
House No. A / 236 Bazar Sammian, Inside
Taxli Gate
Lahore
Pakistan
(92) 42-765-7616
(92) 306-467-2267
Bhatta Brick Kiln Labourers Welfare
Organization
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Chaman Sardar
House No. 3, Saeed Park, Near Toll Plaza.
Ravi Road, Shadara.
Lahore
Pakistan
(92) 42-793-3223
(92) 301-841-8020
Purpose: To provide special attention
towards labourers working on Bhatta (Brick
Kilns) for the improvement of their rights. They
have miserably oppressed in society and and
have been deprived of all sorts of facilities.
Description: Our CC is now focusing on
youth empowerment. We hold interfaith youth
seminars and workshops. We celebrated the
International Day of Peace 2008-2009 in
Kasur and Youhanabad and being a Lahore
MCC member, we jointly organized interfaith
events. Our CC also attended MCC Pakistan
meetings in URI Regional Office and joined in
Regional Office events.
BETHAK Be Empowered Through
Awareness and Knowledge
Purpose: To develop and spread the idea of
friendship and fraternity among the people
through interfaith dialogue.
106
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sohail Javed
H # 786, St #19, Zikiria Colony, Shahrai
Rashid
Multan
6000 Pakistan
(92) 333-6101-885
sohailjaved1970@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ch. B. Masih
House No. 338, Nawaz Sharif Colony
Ferozepur Road
Lahore
54000 Pakistan
(92) 300-479-8159
bababarkatch@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Aslam Masih Zahid
Aslam Masih zahid, Dullo Kalan, F Block,
Ferozepur Road
Lahore
54000 Pakistan
(92) 300-885-1894
aslamzahid75@yahoo.com
Education for Peace CC
Purpose: To promote peace through formal
and informal education.
Description: On September 21st we
celebrated the International Day of Peace with
Muslim and Christian disabled persons, and
other interfaith dignities participated.
Civil Society
Socie ty CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lubna Francis
P.O.Box No. 922, P.O. Gulgasht Colony
Multan
60700 Pakistan
(92) 321-632-0284
francis.cphd@yahoo.com
Purpose: The purpose of our CC is to
promote a homey atmosphere for people of all
religions with discrimination towards none.
We will work for social harmony and respect
all religions and their beliefs. We will work
especially with university and college
students.
Description: Many of our CC members are
members of different organization like
Amnesty International, Pakistan Minority
Alliance, and Liberal Forum Pakistan. Our Civil
Society CC has arrange many forums,
dialogues and religious celebrations and holy
ceremonies like, Dewali, Eid-ul-fitar- Baba
Guru Nanak birthday Celebration, Christmas,
Aman Mushaira, International Peace Day,
Minorities Day (celebrated for the first time in
Pakistan).
Flowers of Peace Women's CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith harmony and
peace among women of different religions,
especially among Christians and Muslims. To
help Muslim and Christian school children
receive a better education by providing free
tuition and books. To help financially poor and
deserving Muslim and Christian women at the
time of their wedding. To celebrate together
religious feasts as well as national and
international days such as Women's Day,
Mother's Day, International Children's Day,
World Peace Day, etc.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Joseph Riaz
House No. 504, Main Street No. 1,
Sarfrazabad Colony, Old shuja abad Road
Multan
Pakistan
(92) 300-6326-105
(92) 300-6326-105
joseph_riaz@yahoo.com
Description: Our CC seeks to promote
awareness among women about the role of
the mother to develope the peaceful society
and religious harmony. We celebrated the
Mother Day International of Children and
107
International Day of Peace with coordination
of All Faiths Harmony.
(92) 333-532-6995
Loomatrading2003@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Farzana Kabil
St. Anthoney Middle School
Shadman Colony
Pir Mahal
36300 Pakistan
(92) 46-566-1299
(92) 46-566-1299
jchannan@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Areej Azmat Malik
Dhoke Jalan, near Poultary faro Barakahu
Islamabad
Pakistan
(92) 512-233-222
(92) 512-550-470
(92) 333-532-6995
Loomatrading2003@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Fasgana Sadia
St. Anthoney Middle School
Shadman Colony
Pir Mahal
36300 Pakistan
(92) 46-566-1299
(92) 46-566-1299
jchannan@gmail.com
Ibteda Foundation CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith harmony,
peace, justice, and understanding in the
world. To respect equality among all religions.
Description: We installed a filtration system
for clean water. We are running school named
Vision Public School wherein Muslim and
Christian students study together and
socialize and eat together. In morning
interfaith prayers are offered for peace and
justice. It is best example of religious harmony.
Our CC also distribute the relief packages for
IDPs of Swat Valley in July and August. We
are running vocational training schools for
Christian and Muslims girls and women for
enhance the women development. We
celebrated the International Day of Peace in
2009.
HayatHayat- E-Nou (New Life) CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith peace and
harmony in Pakistan.
Description: We recently affliated with URI
family and pleased and inspired to learn more
about the world religions and traditions. We
are focusing on women development. We
have started the Vocational/Sewing training
centre and trained 110 Muslim and Christian
women and girls who are either widowed,
orphaned or oppressed. Now at present 25
students are enrolled. The fruits of this are
very positive for religious harmony. We
distributed relief packages and aid to 150
families in the Swat Valley who were affected
by violence.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Syed M. Gillani
Ibteba Foundation
Vision Public School System
PD - 1067, St. 2
Rawalpindi
46300 Pakistan
(92) 51-445-0999
(92) 333-515-9812
Ibteda_Gilliani@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Khurshid Malik
Dhoke Jalan, near Poultary faro Barakahu
Islamabad
Pakistan
(92) 512-233-222
(92) 512-550-470
108
Purpose: To educate our society for socio
economic and health development. To work in
the spirit of tolerance, forgiveness, and
acceptance.
and passed resolution to end such acts. Our
CC has distributed the relief packages for
IDPs of Swat, Bonair and Deer; celebrated
the Intrnational Day of Peace 2009; and held
youth interfaith seminars for the empowerment
of youth.
Description: Our CC holds interfaith
seminars on the theme of promoting interfaith
dialogue for peace in the present situation of
Pakistan. Around 100 interfaith people
participated, including women and youth. We
are giving interfaith education in three school
in slums and have held celebrations of Eid
and Christmas.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shahzad Syed
House #263-B, Street #21
Sector G-6/1-2
Islamabad
Pakistan
(92) 300-555-2588
shahzadsyed@yahoo.com
Interfaith Education Karachi CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ashraf Rehmat
House number 288, Sector "D", Bhittai
Colony, Korangi Crossing
Karachi
74900 Pakistan
(92) 21 545646
(92) 0307-266-9906
uccaw.pakistan@gmail.com
Karachi URI CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith peace and
harmony.
Description: We were established in 1999 at
a meeting of members from the various
religions present in Karachi City. Allama
Abulfateh G.R. Chisti presided over this
meeting. Muslims, Christians and Hindus
were the first members of this group; later its
branches were extended to all five provinces
of the city (East, West, Centre, South and
Malir) through which Sikhs, Theosophists and
Zoroastrians also joined. We actively worked
to establish religious peace and tolerance
among the different sects within a religion.
Members get together every three months.
To achieve URI's purpose, they organize and
participate in inter-religious functions to
promote tolerance and daily interfaith
cooperation.
Secondary
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Bhan J. Bochia
House number 362, Sector "D", Bhittai
Colony, Korangi Crossing
Karachi
74900 Pakistan
(92) 21-545-646
(92) 0307-266-9906
uccaw.pakistan@gmail.com
Journalists Information Bureau Pakistan
CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Allama A. Chishti
2006A Jamia Masjed Rd, New Sohan
Islamabad
44000 Pakistan
(92) 51-261-053
(92) 301-505-5014
chishtigrallama-192@hotmail.com
www.uipmisb.org
Purpose: To promote the noble cause of
peace, harmony and reconciliation among
believers of different religions. Our mode of
promoting these will be through media.
Description: Our CC organized a peace
conference in Azad Kashmir. The theme was
Terrorism and its effect in our society. All
speaKeralas condemned such acts of Jehad
109
(92) 51-221-7409
(92) 333-530-1018
Kiranrajput123@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Aftab Anwar
c/o POB 1056 GPO
Islamabad
Pakistan
(92) 300-505-5014
LahoreLahore- Pakistan CC
Kiran CC Islamabad
Purpose: To promote cultures of peace and
justice.
Description: During the year 2009 the
Lahore CC Pakistan carried on several
programs for youth, women, religious leaders,
scholars and children, and also collaborated
in organizing programs such as the Symphony
of Peace Prayer in May and the International
Day of Peace in September. Moreover, the
members of this CC have been very active in
providing relief to the internally displaced
people of Swat Valley, Pakistan. We visited
these refugees and gave them food, clothes
and some cash. Fr. James Channan, the URI
Pakistan Coordinator, was interviewed by a
Spanish television network on the present
situation of Pakistan and role of URI in
promoting peace and harmony among people
of different religions. Fr. Channan gave 6
interviews to Radio Vatican, including two
explicitly on inter-religious dialogue in
Pakistan. The activities of URI in Pakistan was
explicitly mentioned and how URI is serving as
agent of change in our society and doing its
utmost best to bring healing and reconciliation
in our region and create a culture of peace
and justice.
Purpose: To promote interfaith, intercultural
and intercivilization harmony; to bridge the
growing gap between various faiths and belief
systems; similarly, to work for the promotion of
peace and justice all over the world.
Description: Our CC is focused on
promoting interfaith dialogue for peace and
harmony in Pakistan and explores women
issues and religious harmony in our staff of
Muslim and Christian worKeralas. In 2009, we
received an award in recognition of our work.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Saeeda Y. Raja
Flat No. 5
Faraz Plaza
G-9 Markaz (Karachi Complex)
Islamabad, Pakistan
(92) 333-503-1018
Kiranfoundation123@yahoo.co.uk
Kiran Rajput Welfare and Social
Organization Islamabad CC
Purpose: To work for the welfare of man,
women and children, orphans and widows of
all communities. To promote interfaith
harmony for peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Fr James Channan OP
125 B, Pak Arab Housing Scheme
Ferozepur Road
Lahore 54600
Pakistan
Tel. (92) 42- 3592 4566
Cell; (92)300- 8730 669
Email: jchannan@gmail.com
Website: www.uripakistan.org
Description: We run a vocational training
center wherein Muslim and Christian girls and
women study together in religous harmony.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Raja Gul Muhammad
Islamabad House, Doray Taornale
Islamabad
Pakistan
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nadeem Walter
H. No-683 St 5/A, Makkah Colony
110
Lahore
54600 Pakistan
(92) 42-840-6660
(92) 321-42-39171
larain100@hotmail.com
www.uripakistan.org
National Muslim Christian Dialogue
Gujrat CC
Purpose: To work for peace and harmony
among the believers of God and to lessen the
hatred among the society.
Description: Our CC has organized many
programs of interfaith celebration like the Holy
Eve Eid, Christmas and Easter involving
Muslim and Christian scholars and relgious
leaders to creat harmony among the religions.
National Commission for Inter religious
Dialogue & Ecumenism
Purpose: To promote an atmosphere of
interfaith dialogue, acceptance and
understanding among religions living in
Pakistan in order to forge a spirit of
nationalism and pride in national identity.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Zubair A. Farooq
Offnois, Hussain Plaza, 13-Fane Road
Lahore
54000 Pakistan
(92) 42-784-8407
(92) 333-840-0914
zubair.farooq@hotmail.com
Description: The commission is working
among different religions such as Muslim,
Christian, Hindus, Sikhs, Bahais, etc. Ongoing
regular dialogue between minority and
majority groups is a major highlight of the
commission. Other highlights include:
conferences, seminars, meetings, workshops
and discussion sessions with people
belonging to all age groups. Also, we
participate in and organize activities such as
joint celebrations, visits to religious places,
advocacy /awareness campaigns, peace
prayers, the Annual Peace Awards, forums for
women, and value education programs among
school students. All of the above mentioned
activities leave a memory but the youth
conferences and diplomat conferences were
the most memorable ones. We would like to
continue our work with youth and take it to the
college and university level.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mehr T. Mehmood
Off. No. 5, Hussain Plaza, 13 Fane Road
Lahore
Pakistan
(92) 333-840-0915
(92) 333-840-0915
N ational MuslimMuslim - Christian Fellowship
Gujrat CC
Purpose: To establish durable peace.
Description: Our CC is exploring the voice
for justice and doing our best for justice. We
work on a professional level for Muslim and
Christian victims. We also attended and
orgaized the program with Lahore MCC and
URI Pakistan on International Day of Peace
2009.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Javaid William
51/1 Shah Jamal, Ichra Road
Lahore
54000 Pakistan
(92) 42-613-8808
(92) 300-8412-247
ncide@brain.net.pk
Primary Contact:
Contact:
George F. Din
Mission House
Mehmdan Road
Punjab Province
111
Youhanabad, Feroze Pur Road
Lahore
54760 Pakistan
(92) 42-502-7814
(92) 42-527-0207 (phone and fax)
(92) 300-48-4752
opdpeace@yahoo.com
www.odppeace.org
Gujrat
50700 Pakistan
(92) 307-627-7953
fatehdim@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ayub Shamas
Mission Compound
Mehmdan Road
Gujrat
50700 Pakistan
(92) 033-2536-8144
Pakistan Children and Youth CC
Purpose: To promote peace education and
culture through children and youth.
Organization for Peace and
Development CC
Description: Our CC promotes interrelegious harmony in youth by orgaizing
games in which Muslims, Christians and
Hindus participate.
Purpose: To promote human values and
creeds for a culture of peace and integrated
human development of each person. To
create a space for activity and a bridge
among different faiths and religions for peace
and harmony.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shahzad Syed
House #263-B
Street #21
Sector G-6/1-2
Islamabad
Pakistan
(92) 300-555-2588
shahzadsyed@yahoo.com
Description: Our CC has organized
meetings and planned discussions for the
promotion of peace and harmony among the
religions and creeds. We have also shared
and participated in the religious programs of
Bahai, Muslim, and Christian religious
activities.
Pakistan Council for Social Welfare &
Human Rights CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Noreen Shagufta
House 100, Street No. 10, B Block, Near
Stitch Craft Factory,
Youhanabad, Feroze Pur Road
Lahore
52760 Pakistan
(92) 42-5270207
(92) 42-502-7814
(92) 344-456-7506
opdpeace@yahoo.com
www.opdpeace.org
Purpose: To promote justice and peace,
interreligious harmony, human rights, and
interreligous dialogue.
Description: Our CC works for economic
empowerment of women affected by the
earthquake through vocation and routine life
skill training. We've established 10 parks for
children and women at various localities of
Azad Kashmir with the Collaboration of
OBOS ""The One Body One Spirit Movement
"" Korea. The main purpose of this project is
to provide the recreation facilities for children,
especially at earthquake hit areas. We also
organize inter-religious activites and
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jahangir Piara
House 100, Street No. 10, B Block, Near
Stitch Craft Factory,
112
awareness campaigns for peace, a minority
and human rights program, an awareness
program for child rights and child abuse
prevention, and youth groups for interreligious harmony.
Tel. (92) 42- 3592 4566
Cell; (92)300- 8730 669
Email: jchannan@gmail.com
Website: www.uripakistan.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Muhammad I. Noori
Muradia Road
Near Makki Mosque Model Town
Sialkot
51310 Pakistan
(92) 52-356-3809
(92) 523-56-115
pcswhr@brain.net.pk
www.pcswhr.com
Peace and Development Foundation
CC
Pakistan Hindu Sikh Social Welfare
Council CC
Description: Our CC conducted interfaith
dialogue sessions between Christians and
Muslims of Pakistan, when the horrible
incidents took place in Gojra and Korian
village in Pakistan. We helped them during
this traumatic time and supported them
emotionally as well as financially, providing
them with food and household items. We also
help and support people affected by different
kind of disasters such as extremist
movements in Pakistan. We've conducted
medical camps in slum areas, developed a
basic health program, educated women about
breast cancer. We are also facilitating
education for children and encouraging youth
in healthy pursuits like volunteer work and
holding inter-religious activities and
awareness campaigns for peace.
Purpose: To promote Peace and Harmony
among religions; to develop mutual
understanding among all man kind; to
motivate the community by sharing to resolve
the issues; to develop a culture of peace for
development for the oppressed community
specia, espeically working for education and
health for children and women.
Purpose: To promote brotherhood among
believers of all religions.
Description: We arrange different functions,
seminars and conferences. People from
different walks of life are invited and the role
of URI is highlighted. We focus on promoting
peace and interfaith dialogue. We hope to
bring positive changes in the world, end the
prevailing violence and create fellow feelings.
Our CC is fully committed to the purpose and
principles of URI. We have also worked for
the social, providing legal aid and financial
support to our communities.This year we
established ten women and children projects
in various locatiosn throughout Azad Jammu
and Kashmir state, in collaboration with
OBOS (The One Body One Spirit Movement
of Korea). The main purpose of the project
was to provide recreational facilities for
children, especially in earthquake hit areas.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Abraham A. Murad
56-S- Model Town Extension
Lahore
54700 Pakistan
(92) 42-586-7751
(92) 321-477-2704
abraham444@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Fr James Channan OP
125 B, Pak Arab Housing Scheme
Ferozepur Road
Lahore 54600
Pakistan
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nawah Fazal
113
harmony; and to train women and youth for
interfaith dialogues for peace.
Bethesda Church, Church Road, Bahar
Colony, Kot Lakhpat
Lahore
54700 Pakistan
(92) 42-5830-274 / (92) 42-586-7751
(92) 321-4865802
akhter_murad@hotmail.com
Description: Our CC holds many workshops
for the promotion of interfaith dialogue for
peace. We planted a peace pole in the
Christian Study Center with Coordination of
URI MCC-Pakistan, celebrated International
Day of Peace, and have attended national and
international conferences.
Peace and
an d Environment CC PIRMAHAL
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mehboob Sada
Christian Study Centre
126 Murree Road, PO Box 529
Rawalpindi Cantt. Pakistan
(92) 51-556-7412
(92) 51-558-1450
(92) 322-500-8378
mehbook_sada@hotmail.com
Purpose: To promote peace and justice for all
living beings.
Description: Our CC promotes peace and
environment by involving Christian and Muslim
youth and women. We established the Green
Club which is open for all faiths. We hold
seminars for enviornmental issues and
promote greening the city of Pirmahal. We
give peace education in schools and have a
minority and human rights program.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Muhammad A. Malik
House No. M-630, St. No. 31, Amar Pura
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
(92) 51-596-2536
(92) 333-513-5980
ansar0333@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Nasir M. Saleemi
Education House Junior School
Thana Road Pirmahal
TT Singh
Punjab
Pakistan
(92) 046-301-4339
(92) 300-656-1419
peace_environmentpk@yahoo.com
Peace and Progress Welfare Society
CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith dialogues for
Peace and harmony; to spread the message
URI vision and mission with our society; to
understand each other religions and visions;
to respect each other religions; and to
promote Sufism.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Azra Nasim
Education House Junior School
Thana Road Pirmahal
TT Singh
Punjab
Pakistan
(92) 300 656 1419
Description: Our CC holds many interfaith
activities and our community is inspired with
more motivation and awareness. We will
spread the message of URI Mission to create
a peaceful society in our city and in
Hyderabad city and around the province of
Sindh.
Peace and Harmony CC Rawalpindi
Purpose: To promote peace among people of
different faiths in Pakistan; to create religious
114
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Cheetam Lal
Circular Road
Jatoi Dist.
Muzaffargarh
34400 Pakistan
(92) 301-7870-843
aimsorganization@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mir G. Mustufa Talpur
House No. 5/B Khalid Colony, Near Muslim
Society
Hyderabad
71000 Pakistan
(92) 22-265-1746
(92) 22-265-174
(92) 331-352-4498
ghulam_73@hotmail.com
Peace Group of Journalists CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ghulam M. Babbar
House No. 22, Old Campus Model School
University of Sindh
Hyderabad
71000 Pakistan
(91) 300-3444-0997
Purpose: To use writing to promote peace
and harmony among the followers of various
religions of the world generally and in Kashmir
particularly.
Description: Our CC holds interfaith
workshops and promotes interfaith dialogue
for peace through journalism. We work hard
and distribute relief packages for IDPs in
Swat. We are creating religious and political
harmony in Azad Kashmir. We hold peace
conferences, support youth groups for interreligious harmony, social and religious
tolerance, peace, justice, democracy,
confidence & character building, and
identification of local problems and their
solutions in utilizing local available resources
etc.
Peace Foundation CC Muzaffar Garh,
Pakistan
Purpose: To promote peace, love and
harmony among the people of different
religions. To work for the respect of human
rights and to end violence done in the name
of religion. To work for peace and justice for
all humankind, especially for women and
children.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Saeed-ur-Rehman Siddiqui
Peace Group of Journalists
Media Center Peace Model School
Behind Physics Department AJK
Muzaffrabad AJK
Pakistan
(92) 588-104-7713
(92) 588-104-7713
(92) 301-510-7501
peacejournalists@gmail.com
Description:
Our CC holds Eid and Christmas celebrations
together to promote relgious harmony,
awareness on child rights and Prevention of
any kind of child abuse at any level.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ashiq Zaffar Bhatti
Mohalla Rainwala
Circular Road, Jatoi Dist.
Muzaffargarh
34400 Pakistan
(92) 066-203-1776
(92) 301-787-0843
aimsorganization@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Khwaja I. Ahmed
Peace Group of Journalists
Media Center Peace Model School
Behind Physics Department AJK
Muzaffarabad
Pakistan
115
Description: Most of our members have
been working to promote interfaith harmony,
human rights and empowerment for women
since 2002, being a member of New Youth
and a few other organizations. As the political
situation is getting worse day by day we felt
that there should be a group that works at
the local, national and international level.
ROOTShas been established to promote
interfaith harmony among the tribes in
Quetta, Balochistan. During the last six
months, we conducted several educational
and awareness programs for students, out of
school adolescents and other young people
regarding their issues, interfaith harmony,
peace and provision of new opportunities
where they can get together and share their
ideas with each other. We plan to network
with different religious leaders; organize
trainings on cultural identity and practices
and our role in peace building; celebrate
Peace Week in Quetta and different
occasions of different faiths such as Eid-eNowroz, Easter, etc.; hold community
discussions through meetings with different
groups; organize youth exchange programs
and seminars on peace and harmony; and
conduct dialogue with religious leaders
regarding peace and harmony.
(92) 588-104-7713
(92) 301-582-2063
peacejournalists@gmail.com
Rays of Development CC (ROD)
Purpose: To promote peace and harmony
among the people of diverse religions,
spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions
through out Pakistan.
Description: Our CC focuses on peace
education and development for children, youth
and women. As educators, we hold peace
education classes in different schools and
interfaith seminars for youth. We are working
for human rights and religious minorities and
child rights and child abuse prevention.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ferhan Mazher
43 Rehmat Park University Road
Sargodha, Punjab
Pakistan
(92) 32-1603-2504
chairman.ROD@gmail.com
http://RaysOfDevelopmentOrganization.Blog
Spot.Com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Imran Mazher
43 Rehmat Park University Road
Sargodha, Punjab
Pakistan
(92) 321-601-2462
Imran_Mazher@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shazia Wahid
7/73/18 Alamdar Road
Quetta
Pakistan
(92) 812-650-240
(92) 3366-31-9177
shazwahid@gmail.com
Roots CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Irfan Ali
D1,177 C/2 kashmir
lodge pechs tariq road Karachi
Quetta
Pakistan
(92) 313-821-0418
lionirfanm@yahoo.com
Purpose: To work for peace building,
tolerance and interfaith harmony around the
principles of social justice, acceptance,
diversity and socio-cultural pluralism of all
communities. To engage youth and promote
interfaith actions through dialogues and
consultations.
116
workshops and dialogue meetings. We also
do management, implementation, and
supervision of our projects with the full
involvement of local peoples, giving them
ownership of the project.
Seeds of Peace CC
Purpose: To promote harmonious
coexistence among religions and to work for
international peace, harmony and cooperation.
Description: We hold monthly interfaith
harmony program with women, youth and
children. We organized a Christmas program
with women and children. We held an event
with university students to celebrate World
Youth Day on August 12, 2009. We also
celebrated International Day of Peace,
International Women's Day, and Teacher's
World Day.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Younis Khan
New Diamond Glass
114-S Model Town Ext.
Lahore
54600 Pakistan
(92) 321-456-3727
youniskv@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Naseem George
House # 99-A Old Civil Lines
Sargodha
40100 Pakistan
(92) 48-322-0411
(92) 345-860-5212
ngeorge307@yahoo.com
Toba Tek Singh
Sin gh CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith harmony at
the grassroots level.
Description:
In the past year we focused on two things:
school drop-outs and youth. We organized a
poster and essay competition in ten schools.
Three hundred children drew posters and
wrote essays on peace and interfaith
cooperation. We also organized tree planting
and matches of a local sport called "Kabaeli"
for school drop-outs. For youth, we formed a
study circle to focus on social and economic
matters and prepared an interactive theater
piece on peacebuilding and interfaith
cooperation that was performed in ten
communities. All these activities included
Christians and Muslims working together.
Tehreek Taraque E Insaniat CC
Purpose: To create peace among the
religions, to develop social harmony for all
mankind, to cultivate peace builders,
especifically women and children, and to work
for the economic and social uplift of the
underprivileged communities.
Description: Tehreek Taraqe-e-Insaniat (TTI)
Development action for Mobilization and
emancipation is a nonprofit, non-Government
organization established in 1993 for
development work in Lahore. Its an alliance of
social workers and educational professionals
from various fields who have significant
experience with NGOs working with grass
roots development on a national and
international level. Our ongoing projects are
operating a middle school and a mother/child
health clinic, and women's vocational training.
We do awareness campaigns about
improving living conditions through
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Atif J. Pagaan
Harmony Foundation
House 2 Street 4
Daud Nagar
Faislabad
Pakistan
(92) 41-551-144
AtifPagaan@yahoo.com
117
awareness among the youth and women
about the utmost need of interfaith harmony
especially in the villages where there is no
concept of interfaith. We promote the vision
and mission of URI's PPPs which is very
healthy and positive for the country. We hold
many interfaith activities and the community is
inspired to take this work to other villages.
Travel Agents CC Pakistan
Purpose: To promote interfaith unity and
peace among different religions as well as
between different sects of Muslims.
Description: We promote interfaith harmony
through our travel agents business. We
explore the purpose of URI with conversation
and dialogue and try to learn about religious
traditions. We celebrated the International
Day of Peace in 2009 with Lahore MCC and
URI Pakistan.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Nazir Barkat
Village Ghalib Key, Post Office Ladeh Key
Distt. Sialkot
Daska
Pakistan
(92) 347-6760-729
unityforpeace.sager756@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Asad Yameen
Nafees Travels (Pvt.) Ltd
29 Empress Road
Lahore
54000 Pakistan
(92) 42-637-3067
(92) 62-630-263-538
(92) 321-0600-222
asadymen@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact
Contact:
act:
Dilwar Sager
Village Bikhi Sundhwa
Daska, Distt. Sialkot
Pakistan
(92) 344-651-6711
unityforpeace.sager756@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Inam Ullah
Nafees Travels (Pvt.) Ltd
29 Empress Road
Lahore
Pakistan
(92) 42-630-2435
(92) 333-422-5100
WAKE Women And Kids Education CC
Purpose: To help educate women and kids.
Description: Our CC held a Christmas
program together with all school girls and
women from sewing centre. The situation and
condition of women in our country is not
encouraging at all. There are women
participating in all spheres of life but it is very
limited. There is a low rate of literacy, and the
rate of bad health conditions, sexual
harassment and violence is very high. A large
number of women are anxiously waiting for
someone who can release them from
bondage, ignorance and violence.
Unity for Peace Group CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith unity for
peace; to promote the message of URI's
vision and mission through welfare work; to
understand each other religions and vision to
respect each other religionsand to promote
interfaith dialogue for peace and harmony,
especially in youth and women.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sabina Rifat
Sheraz Public School,
Street #5, No. 692
Warispura Faisalabad
38090 Pakistan
Description: Our CC holds many interfaith
activities with Allama Iqbal CC Sialkot. We
are trying hard to promote and spread the
message of URI in villages, and to create
118
(92) 041-855-4937 / (92) 0302-865-8499
sabinarifat08@gmail.com
Women InterInter- religious Dialogue and
Ecumenism WIDE
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rukhsana Jerald
Faisalabad
Pakistan
(92) 0300-798-2577
(92) 041-855-4937
jerrygrn05@gmail.com
Purpose: To ensure the community
participation for positive sustainable
understanding on inter-religious matters; to
work towards combating and eliminating
religious intolerance and extremism in society;
to continue to arranging inter-religious
dialogue in order to foster understanding and
better relations between diverse religious and
spiritual communities in Pakistan; and to
educate children through mothers in
acceptance and tolerance of religions and
cultures in Pakistan.
Women and Children Development
Program
Program CC
Purpose: To provide education, health
services, women and children's development,
and creating an inter-religious environment.
Description: We are known as Women for
Intra/Interfaith Dialogue & Education. We
participated along with NCIDE-CC in different
activities like Iftar, Diwali, Eid and Christmas
celebrations and very soon we will be
conducting a teachers training at a
government school in Lahore.
Description: Our work started in 1998 long
before we became a CC. We work with
women and children and with different
religions leaders. In 1999 we started
educational communities in Sargodha and
Fasialabad, Pakistan. Our religious diversity is
Christian Catholic, Islam Sunni, Islam Shi'i,
and Hindu. We continue to develop
grassroots programs to help women and
children develop livelihoods and receive
education.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sunila Javaid
43/11 FCC Villas Gulberg IV
Lahore
54000 Pakistan
(92) 300-842-8403
sunila13@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Livina H. Gill
73 FCC, Gulberg - IV
Lahore
54666 Pakistan
92-42-527-3283
92-451-217818DrKhan
livinauri@yahoo.com
Youth Peace Revolution CC
Purpose: To promote peace through art.
Description: Some of our CC members had
amazing experiences by attending the Youth
Leadership Program and the Global Assembly
in 2009, and were also inspired by the
meeting of World Youth to share their
cultures, traditions and interfaith activities. We
celebrated Global Love Day and International
Day of Peace with great zeal and also
participated in a peace candle rally and
protest against terrorism and violence.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Francis Xavier
H. No.13, St. No. 4, Block No. 4 - J
Youhanabad, Ferozpur Road
Lahore
54760 Pakistan
(92) 42-527-3283 (same as home/fax)
(92) 322-4470-747
hermen@nexlinx.net.pk
119
(94)912234473
(94)354920808
(94)713480676
gallesarvodaya@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shumaila Bhatti
Forman Christian College, Ferozepur Road
Apartment 23-A
Lahore
54600 Pakistan
(92) 322-476-2280
shumailabhatti@yahoo.com
Sarvodaya Shanti Sena CC
Purpose: To promote non-violent action,
training and education in peace efforts and to
offer a wide range of activities to bring out
harmonious integration of all communities and
religious faiths.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Abraham A. Murad
56-S- Model Town Extension
Lahore
54700 Pakistan
(92) 42-586-7751
(92) 321-477-2704
abraham444@hotmail.com
Description: This is the first CC registered in
Sri Lanka. With a wide network in about 1500
villages in the country, ours is an NGO with a
great reputation for peace initiatives. We
undertake a wide range of programs for
community development and peace building.
The war that has taken an enormous toll on
Sri Lanka and its people during the past 20
years has been concluded with a cease fire.
The political agreement is very fragile and
must be strengthened by building public
opinion, which is among the many tasks
facing Sarvodaya Shanthi Sena. We want to
bring together the youth, in particular, through
peace dialogues. Inter-cultural cooperation
among selected leaders is being tried out by
providing opportunities for youth from the
North and East to get together to develop
mutual goodwill and understanding at the
village level. At the close of one gathering of
North and South youth, a Tamil girl said ""We
have known Singhala soldiers only as enemies
and not as civilians. Now we realize that we
are all human beings with similar aspirations.
Even though we are poor, we brought thirty
bags of rice as a token of goodwill."" Such
experiences help to bridge the gap.
SRI LANKA
InterInter- religious cultural coco- existence CC
Purpose: To propagate the objectives of URI.
Description: Ours is a country that has been
ravaged by war for more than three decades
and our immediate task is to build a
community of trust. So we undertake several
peace initiatives to bring together our people
from different religions. We work in close
association with sarvo Santhi Sena, which has
a wonderful network in the whole of Sri Lanka.
Primary
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Upali Premachandre
Sarvodaya District Center, Bataganwila
Galle
80000 Sri Lanka
(94)912234473
(94)354920808
(94)713480676
gallesarvodaya@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ravindra W. Kandage
72/5 Rawatawatta Road
Moratuwa
Sri Lanka
(94) 1-265-5049
(94) 0-777-6363-02
sarvoshanthi@sltnet.lk
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nihal Nanayakkara
Sarvodaya District Center, Bataganwila
Galle
80000 Sri Lanka
120
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Hsi- Ming Wu
10F, No. 164, Sec. 4
Nanjing E. Road, Songshan District
Taipei
105 Taiwan
(886) 2-2577-0370
bhwh@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Dharma S. Senanayake
72/5 Rawatawatta Road
Moratuwa
Sri Lanka
(94)-1-655049
shanthi @col7.metta.lk
To Provide Relief for Families of Drug
Addicts
Addicts - CC
Purpose: To provide relief for families of drug
addicts and to support community
empowerment.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kuppiyawatte B. Thero
Mithuru-Mithuro, Sevana
Pelmadulla, Ratnapura
70070 Sri Lanka
(94) 45-22-74363
TAIWAN
Buddha Heart World Headquarter
Hea dquarter CC
Purpose: To promote charity and do research
on solutions for the problems of poverty,
disease, death and war, while personally
doing physical and spiritual practice at the
same time. To bolster people's understanding
of the reality of the world and cosmos, so as
to reduce people's greed, disputes, robbery
and wars. As such, a world full of love and
concern will be realized and world peace will
come true.
Description: Buddha Heart World
Headquarters is a well established
organization (with 40 full time staff and
40,000 volunteers). This organization provides
service work and spiritual education. We
believe that ""more uniting can bring more
good things to people."" We are involved in
public welfare work such as environmental
protection, social service, peace work, and
enriching cultural understandings.
121
Europe
37 CCs in 14 countries
Interfaith Cricket Match organized by Faith 2 Faith CC in the United Kingdom in 2011.
Participants of URI-Europe Assembly in Turkey in October 2011.
122
Euro-Asia CC from Serbia joined URI in June 2011.
Faith 2 Faith Cooperation Circle in the UK holds a
picnic to welcome asylum seekers.
Forum of Religions and Convictions in Helsinki
CC hosts URI-Pakistan Regional Coordinator
Father James Channan in 2011.
URI’s Heidi Rautionmaa presents Golden Rule Award to
President Tarja Halonen of Finland in 2010.
URI-Europe celebrates URI’s 10th Anniversary and the UN’s International Day of Peace in Barcelona in September 2010.
123
URI Europe CC
B ELGIUM
Purpose: To support and coordinate CC
work in Europe and lead URI regional
development in Europe.
Bond zonder Naam CC
Purpose: Bonder zonder Naam is a social cultural movement which strengthens the best
in people.
Description: The URI Europe team meets
several times a year, mostly in Brussels for
consultation and decision making. It brings
together URI activists from Belgium,
Catalonia/Spain, Germany and the UK,
working as volunteers with part-time staff
support. In October 2010 a European URI
Assembly was organised in Istanbul, Turkey,
bringing together approx. 60 interfaith
activitists from 15 countries across Europe.
Several new Cooperation Circles could be
welcome since then, including from Bulgaria,
Siberia/Russia and Belgium. A European
newsletter, the URI Europe Dialogue Letter, is
published 3-4 times a year. New stories are
also posted to the URI Europe website
www.uri-europe.eu. A brochure on
recommended films for interfaith activities was
created and published, it can be downloaded
from the URI Europe website.
Description: For BZN, 2009 was a fruitful,
exciting, but not easy year since the
international crises was part of our daily
reality. We celebrated our 50 anniversary with
a National Values Assessment online, and we
will organize 'Talks on the Market' in
cooperation with 10 mayor cities in the
country and supported by different partners
specialized in process building and digital
communication. BZN Metanoia, a centre for
silence and mediation, was finally accepted by
the government. BZN Atlas wrote a important
book about children abuse and domestic
violence and won different prizes. BZN
realized an important new style cooperation
between the city mayor charity organizations
in order to serve better different core groups
that are focusing on poor people. Also, with
the 'Flemish Partnership for Interfaith
Dialogue' we started a reflection group in the
country's most diverse city (cf. Heusden
Zolder) in order to see whether what we can
offer people today facing the increasing need
for intercultural and inter religious dialogue.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Patrick Hanjoul
Sint - Jacobsmarkt 39
Antwerp
B-2000 Belgium
(32) 3-201-2210
(32) 3-288-7793
(32) 476-201-787
patrick.hanjoul@bzn.be
www.bzn.be
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Patrick Hanjoul
Sint - Jacobsmarkt 39
Antwerp
B-2000 Belgium
(32) 3-201-2210
(32) 3-288-7793
(32) 476-201-787
patrick.hanjoul@bzn.be
www.bzn.be
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Karimah K. Stauch
Ahornweg 3
Bonn - Heiderhof
D-53177 Germany
(49) 228-230-476 (home office& fax)
info@dmlbonn.de
www.muslimliga.de
124
background. Furthermore, we deal with a
number of religious texts by reading them
together and reflecting upon them. Our
members are from the traditions of Roman
Catholic, Bahai, Ahmadiya Muslim, Sunni
Muslim, Hinduism-Vainavism, and Vrye
Christian.
Convictions en Dialogue CC
Purpose: To develop an association for
meeting and for dialogue amongst persons
with the most diverse philosophical or
religious convictions in order to awaken an
atmosphere of respect and cooperation.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rita Bouwman
Galgenweellaan 7, Box 3
Ground Floor
Antwerpen
2050 Belgium
(32) 321-62-969
(32) 497-933-936
rita.bouwman@pamho.net
Description: Convictions in Dialogue CC is
meeting regularly to have discussions on
different topics and to eat a meal together
aftwewards. We also produce the Interfaith
Calender that is subsidized by the city of
Brussels. This year we are planning visits to
the Synagogue and Zen Temple.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Martin Gurvich
Petite Somme 8
Septon
6490 Belgium
(32) 86 32 39 19
martingurvich@pamho.net
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Karim Avonts
Verenigde Natieslaam 125
Antwerpen
2660 Belgium
(32) 474514077
karim.ahmad.sani@telenet.be
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Ines Wouters
Rue d`Edimbourg 23
Bruxelles
1050 Belgium
(32) 496-706-024
ines.wouters@afschrift.com
VPiD (Vlaams Partnership voor
Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog Flemish Partnership for Inter Religious
Dialogue) CC
Marianne Groffoel
79 Rue Potagere
Bruxelles
1210 Belguim
(32) 47-96-41-150
mboulif@mail.com
Purpose: To bring people together through
meetings, dialogue, exchange and
cooperation and empowering actions.
Description: As many URI members may
recall, VPiD was launched in 2007 at the big
interfaith concert in Antwerp, where URI
Europe members and URI's Global Council
were present, together with 1200 people, and
witnessed a beautiful symphony of music,
dance, prayer and testimonies from people of
diverse faiths. This was also broadcast live
over the internet. VPiD is now restarted in
Heusden, which is the most multicultural city
in Flanders. The team is working in
cooperation with the city hall of Heusden.
Together a programme for intercultural and
PrismaPrisma -Group CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to build bridges
through dialogue.
Description: Members of the PRISMA group
come together and discuss various issues,
also speaking about and sharing their
personal experience and personal
125
communication skills; lectures and
discussion-groups; a pilgrimage to important
places of different traditions in the Mostarregion (Catholic, Muslim, Serbian-Orthodox,
Jewish); an art-exibition, fashion-show and a
concert; prayers for peace of all religions
involved; trip to seaside; workshop on
environmental challenges; ceremony on
Mostar-bridge with an inter-religious choir;
introduction to URI; and developing actionplan for further activities.
interfaith discussion will be developed. Living
Values Education (LVE) will be used in a
programme for the entire community, but with
a focus on diversity and interfaith and
intercultural exchange. We aim creating a
network for young & old, profit & non-profit,
religious & non religious. The website will be
open to all interfaith efforts in Flanders. In this
way people who have a small or big interfaith
organization or group can introduce
themselves. The website is meant to be a
platform and forum for activists in interfaith
and intercultural issues.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Vjekoslav Saje
Antuna Hangija 75
Sarejevo
71000 Bosnia and Herzegovina
(387) 71-203-916
(387) 90-165-109
sajecrd@bih.net.ba
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Patrick Hanjoul
Sint - Jacobsmarkt 39
Antwerp
B-2000 Belgium
(32) 3-201-2210
(32) 3-288-7793
(32) 476-201-787
patrick.hanjoul@bzn.be
www.bzn.be
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Zijad Pekmez
Antuna Hangija 61
Sarejevo
71000 Bosnia and Herzegovina
(387) 33 666 516
(387) 63-145-497
zijad_pekmez@yahoo.com
B OSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Balkan as a Soul Bridge CC
Purpose: To develop relationships with and
appreciation of different cultures and
religions, and to promote joint action, build a
network for peace, and launch URI in Mostar,
Bosnia.
BULGARIA
BRIDGES CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote
religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence between people of different
religious traditions.
Description:
Des cription: We were formed at the
European URI conference in Dobogoko near
Budapest, Hungary in March 2000. Our aim
is to organise a conference in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, "Millenium Rainbow of Mostar"
(English) / "Mostarska Duga Novog Milenija"
(Bosnian). This event will bring young people
together in Mostar, half of them from Bosnia
and Herzegovina (of Bosniak, Croatian and
Serbian background), the other half from
various European countries. The conference
programme is planned to be comprised of
different elements, e.g. workshops on
Description: Bridges is a non-government
and over-confessional organization, which
brings together people of faith from different
religious traditions represented in Bulgaria.
The main goal of a forum is to be a platform
for dialogue for the Christian denominations
and to present and to popularize the peaceful
model of co-existence between Orthodox
Christianity and Islam in our country. In our
126
Description: The college programme has
existed 10-12 years and has proved very
successful. It has been registered for 2 years
now. The programme which focuses on
cinema and sports is very innovative. The
College gives scholarships to disadvantaged
students and students coming through
institutions. The education emphasizes
reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Currently it has a membership of one hundred
and eighty seven people from the traditions of
Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and
Eastern Orthodoxy.
future work we will be guided by the following
basic principles and goals: 1) To reinforce the
contacts
between
different
religious
communities in Bulgaria and to create basis of
interreligious and intercultural dialogue; 2) To
enhance understanding and mutual respect
among members of different religions
traditions; 3) To bring together people from
different religious experience and ethnic
background to help understand diversity; 4)
To create contacts with men and women of
different religious communities in Bulgaria and
in Eastern European countries; and 5) To
promote the tolerance and the equality
between men and women in the professional
domain and especially in the Theological
domain – Teaching and Research. Bulgaria is
a crossroad of civilizations and religions is a
bridge connecting Christianity with Islam. That
is why a Forum for dialogue should emerge to
bring together different religious groups and
traditions.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Petar G. Gramatikov
Boul. maria-Luivza No 34, apartment 24
Plovdiv
4000 Bulgaria
(359) 888557732
ptrgramatikoff@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gergana A. Vulcheva
P.O.B. 183
Plovdiv
4000 Bulgaria
(359) 326-22-118
(359) 878-170-140
pkieoc@abv.bg
http://pkieoc.hit.bg
Primary Contact:
Angelina Ivanova Vladikova
46 Parchevich st., 3 “7”
Sofia, BULGARIA 1000
(359) 298 65481 (Home)
(359) 898 478333 (Mobile)
agelina_vl@abv.bg
Skype name: Angelina_vl
Secondary Contact:
Fr. Petar Gramatikov
34 Princess Maria Luisa Blvd.
Plovdiv, BULGARIA 1000
(359) 888557732
ptgramalikoff@gmail.com
Europress Club of Journalists
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote human
rights and freedom of speech.
Description: Our CC is a group of
professional journalists from various medias
who educate other journalists in interfaith
dialogue and cooperation. Our members
cover a lot of conferences and topics e.g.
including human rights issues. The Evropress
Club of Journalists is the local branch in
Plovdiv of the national Bulgarian association
of journalists.
East European Educational Center
College
Purpose: The purpose of the East European
Educational Center Private Professional
College is to offer short term and long term
qualifications and vocational education for
marginalized young people, which stresses on
reconciliation and conflict resolution.
127
organised a conference on ethnicity and
globalization. Topics included "Society
against violence", "Plovdiv a city of ethnic and
religious diversity" and others. The foundation
also organizes the International Film Festival
BALFEST against violence and terrorism.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Petar G. Gramatikov
Boul. maria-Luivza No 34, apartment 24
Plovdiv
4000 Bulgaria
(359) 888557732
ptrgramatikoff@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Petar G. Gramatikov
Boul. maria-Luivza No 34, apartment 24
Plovdiv 4000 Bulgaria
(359) 888557732
ptrgramatikoff@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Anna S. Topalova
P.O.B. 183
Plovdiv
4000 Bulgaria
(359) 32622118
(359) 878170160
Drujestvo_evoexpress@abr.bg
Secondary Contact
Contact:
ntact:
Ilia D. Karadimov
P.O.B. 183
Plovdiv
4000 Bulgaria
(359) 898-992-222
helptheneedy@abv.bg
http://helptheneedy.hit. bg
Help the Needy Foundation
Purpose: Our purpose is to support
marginilized persons and families. The main
goal of Help the Needy Foundation is to
support, help and protect those who are
needy and to permanently solve their specific
problems. The Foundation stands for
tolerance, equal opportunity and good life
conditions for everyone. It works for Bulgarian
Eurointegration and for democratization of our
country.
Saint Apostle Hermas Center for
Ecumenical Dialogue
Purpose: The purpose is to promote
ecumenical bi-lateral and multi-lateral
dialogues, offering a space for practical
dialogue and cooperation of various religious
traditions.
Description: Help the Needy Foundation is a
non-governmental, non-profit, independent
public organization. For more than seven
years, Help the Needy Foundation has
developed and coordinated various programs
to improve the conditions of those in need,
such as the elderly, orphans, refugees,
migrants and displaced people. It was
established almost fifteen years ago. It was
the first official partner for UNHCR (UN High
Commissioner for Refugees), as at that time
there was no state body, which took care of
refugees. Since there are now government
agencies doing work for refugees, the
Foundation's focus or trend is now to work
with the gypsy community. There are more
than 100,000 gypsies in the city of Plovdiv
which has approx. 400,000 inhabitants. On
December 17, 2010, the Foundation
Description: The Apostel Hermas Center for
Ecumenical Dialogue is a center for
ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. Its people
are very open-minded and very interested in
interfaith dialogue. It was officially registered
in the summer of 2008. They regularly
collaborate with people of various faiths (next
to people of various Christian traditions). In
Plovdiv there are minority communities of
Muslim and Jewish background. There are
rarely people of other faiths in Plovdiv.
Representatives of the Jewish community are
often invited to and take part in the events.
Likewise for the Muslims. In summer 2010 the
Center organised a first international
ecumenical conference in partnership with the
128
the pilgrimage in Bosnia at the end of the tour.
We are at the moment 4 active members and
6 more passive members from 7 different
religions and spiritual traditions.
European association of religious men and
women. Participants came from all across
Europe.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Petar G. Gramatikov
Boul. maria-Luivza No 34, apartment 24
Plovdiv
4000 Bulgaria
(359) 888557732
ptrgramatikoff@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lone Klemmensen
Bygaden 15 stoedov
Knebel
DK-8420 Denmark
(45) 86-36-1965
(45) 2291-1965
lone@lingchiskolen.dk
www.uridanmark.dk
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Vasil Marinov
P.O.B. 183
Plovdiv
4000 Bulgaria
(359) 898-992-222
FINLAND
Forum of Religions and Convictions in
Helsinki
Hel sinki
DENMARK
Purpose: To promote deep dialogue among
different religions, traditions, and worldviews;
to support a culture of peace, social justice,
and healing.
URI Aarhus Cooperation Circle
Purpose: The purpose of URI Aarhus is to
promote deep dialogue and build bridges
among different religions, traditions, and
worldviews; to support a culture of peace,
social justice and healing for all on the local,
national and global level by visiting different
religious societies and taking part in
interreligious events; to promote April the 5th,
The Day of The Golden Rule; and to focus on
International Day of Peace on September
21st, so that this day will be celebrated with
events also in the years to come.
Description: We had an opening meeting on
the topic of religious Pluralism and postpluralism in the cultural center of Helsinki.
We were also one of the organizers that held
an interfaith prayer event for the victims of the
tsunami in January 2005.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lars Silen
Mankholmantie 3
Espoo
FIN-02380 Finland
(358) 40-7351-628
LarsSilen@kolumbus.fi
Description: One of our CC members took
part in the Global Assembly in Mayapur and a
couple of members are considering to take
part in the European assembly in 2010 in
Turkey. Here in 2009, we had a visit from
Mussie Hailu and took part in a interreligious
christening. In November 2009, Heidi
Rautionmaa from Finland will visit us. We are
preparing several events in the European tour
of the golden rule by Mussie Hailu and Lone
Klemmensen in May 2010, and are
considering for the whole group to take part in
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Heidi Rautionmaa
Rautakiskonkuja 1 A 12
Espoo
FIN-02650 Finland
(358) 440-412-189
rautionmaa@yahoo.com
129
FIN-20500 Finland
(358) 6319-1514
(358) 2251-6190
(358) 40-725-4386
jelomaa@fkf.fi
Forum of Religions in Turku CC
Purpose: To increase the mutual
understanding and cooperation between
various religions.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Hülya "Hissu" Kytö
Linnankatu 51 C 87
Turku
FIN-20100 Finland
(358) 40-559-6647
Description: The Forum of Religions in Turku
holds seminars and panel discussions with
members of different faiths in order to
increase mutual understanding, to exchange
knowledge about different religions, and to
provide a meeting place for inter-religious
encounter. We participated in the Fair of
Religions and Ideologies, where we had a
booth with a peace pole and the altar of
peace. This was the first event of its kind in
Finland; people from seven different faith
traditions gathered around the peace pole to
pray. We will organize a study session for
adults and also visit some schools to teach
children.
URI's ChristianChristian - Muslim Circle of
Helsinki CC
Purpose: To promote expertise in ChristianMulsim relations and in these religions as well
as to promote sincere and open dialogue.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Isra Lehtinen
Marunakuja 4 B 49
Helsinki
FIN-00840 Finland
(358) 9-755-6835
isralehtinen@suomi24.fi
Through Hulya Kytö, one of the contact
persons of our CC, we are also involved in
working for immigrant women and elderly
people through "Daisy Ladies Association,"
which has three focuses: immigrant women,
immigrant pensioners, and young immigrants.
They are all working towards achieving the
same goal, that is to say, to enable the
involved stakeholders to live in Finland as
equally as possible. Their work includes,
amongst others, teaching the immigrants the
Finnish language and the Finnish culture. They
work together with diverse religions and their
guiding principles are that we have to accept
and respect each other, encouraging good
behavior. The Association is not only working
and dealing in Finland but also coordinating
and working with all Scandinavian immigrant
women. Furthermore, they are also planning to
start working with immigrant women from all
over Europe; for instance it is planned to soon
open a Daisy Ladies section in the former
Yugoslavia.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Marko Pitkäniemi
Hämeentie 95 B 26
Helsinki
FIN-00550 Finland
(358) 40-820-1911
marko.pitkaniemi@catholic.fi
FRANCE
Pacific Teams CC
Purpose: To support peace and conflict
resolution committees.
Description: Pacific Teams is a non-profit
organization supporting local initiatives in the
area of community development, training,
education, health and peace and human
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jouni Elomaa
Kaivokatu 2 A 8
Turku
130
with various partner organizations. DMLB
members participate as speakers in panels,
lectures and other events at acamdemies,
religious communities, political foundations,
etc. They also actively participate in a broad
network of like minded organisations. The
DMLB CC has won the URI Bowes Award
2009 with its project ""Sharing the
Ammerdown experience with URI CCs"". It
will invite and financially support approx. 6
young leaders from the URI Europe network
to participate in the Jewish Christian Muslim
Summer School at Ammerdown, UK, which
will take place July 7-13, 2010.
rights. It is focused on addressing the
following fundamental rights for people living
in the Big Lakes area in Africa (Democratic
Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda.)
Pacific Teams aims to work systematically
with local partners, fight poverty and improve
the social economic condition of people, fight
against HIV/AIDS, and malaria, give medical
support for vulnerable people, provide training
for social/medical workers, provide assistence
for women who are victims of rape and sexual
assault, renovate the health centre, supply
ambulances in rural environments, eliminate
adult literacy, educate poor children, and
much more.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bashir A. Dultz
Hans- Boeckler Allee 15
Bonn - Bad Godesberg
D-53177 Germany
(49) 228-330-915
info@dmlbonn.de
www.muslimliga.de
Primary Contact:
Contact:
René K. Masumbuko
342 Avenue de L'Europe
Moissy Cramayel
F-77550 France
(33) 16- 060- 4891
(33) 61-777-32-61
renekahukl2@yahoo.fr
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Karimah K. Stauch
Ahornweg 3
Bonn - Heiderhof
D-53177 Germany
(49) 228-230-476 (home office)
info@dmlbonn.de
www.muslimliga.de
GERMANY
DMLBonn
DML Bonn CC (Deutsche MuslimMuslim- Liga
Bonn e.V)
Purpose: To promote a dialogue between all
human beings with particular emphasis on
members of the Abrahamic religions.
Unitheum e.V
Description: The DMLB co-organizes
different interfaith events, including several
regular events: the Christian-Islamic
Conference at Pentecost for approx. 80
people, including families and children (4
days, anually since 1988), the Jewish
Christian Muslim Summer School at
Ammerdown, UK (1 week, biannually since
1991), the Standing Conference of Jews
Christians and Muslims in Europe (1 week,
since 1972), the Peace Prayer at Namedy
Castle at the festival ""Art in the Park"" and
others. For furthering the aims of dialogue,
peace and justice, the DMLB co-operates
Purpose: The purpose and the most
important idea of the association is, to create
and to maintain a place of consideration of the
common ethics of world religions, to give an
impulse of thinking in a new manner about a
peaceful togetherness of all religious
persuasions; to promote the exchange of
thoughts, the understanding, and the peaceful
coexistence of people of all world religions.
The association wants to realize these aims
particularly by erecting a sacred building and
organizing and celebrating Universal
Worships in it with the aim to promote
respect and understanding of the different
131
Description: We formed our CC in March
2003. Our activities include organizing
schools with at least three URI members of
different traditions to teach young people
about different religions and the culture of
peace, as well as promoting peace between
religious communities such as Muslim and
Hindu communities. In 2009, the URI Berlin
CC was very much engaged in the erection of
the URI peace pole in the Mauerpark (Park of
the Wall) on April 30th, 2009, which divided
Berlin into East and West for 28 years. Under
the protection of a Berlin TV's camera we Taufiq Mempel, Peter Amsler and his family,
Adilah Dilman, Ralf-Müller Amenitsch and
many others - could remind the audience that
the people in Germany themselves, but
especially also their neighbors, had to suffer
terribly under the effects of World War II. The
erection of the Peace Pole was supported by
URI Berlin, URI Germany, Baha'i
Congregation Berlin, German Muslim-League
Bonn, Cultural foundation for Interfaith
Education and Encounter and the initiative
"Love your enemies." In addition to that, the
URI Berlin CC has established a Sunday's
film afternoon in cooperation with a meditation
centre in the middle of Berlin municipality
Prenzlauer Berg. These film afternoons
focusing on spirituality and dialogue in our
religions are completed by a vivid discussion
group with tea and cake after watching the
film.
religious persuasions; creating and supporting
a meeting place for information and to
exchange ideas and share reflections;
organizing seminars, congresses, meditations,
concerts and much more of that kind
according to the purposes of the bylaws;
organizing and offering spiritual welfare;
establishing a library with the Scriptures of all
world religions and literature.
Description: One of our CC's highlights was
in 2009, when we organized an ongoing
series of Universal Worships in Goettingen
supported by a small circle of voluntary
helpers. More than 50 people took part in the
last services and there was much positive
resonance. Also, we are involved in a new
project to create a book of interfaith wisdom
with texts from different faiths about topics
such as love, the meaning of life, forgiveness
etc. The book will be offered to hotels - this
way hotel guests will find this interfaith book,
next to the New Testament, in their bedside
drawer. Members of other German CCs including the DML Bonn CC and URI
Germany CC - will also contribute to this
enterprise.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Puran Lehmann
Schillerstr. 44
Göttingen
D-37083 Germany
(49) 0551-5073461
service@unitheum.de
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Taufiq Mempel
Danziger Str. 109
Berlin
D-10405 Germany
(49) 30 42 33 162
(49) 179 521 3836
taufiq,mempel@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Holger Schenk
Schoopacker 21
Siblingen
8225 Switzerland
(41) 52-682-1900
schenky@bluewin.ch
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Peter Amsler
Reiherbeize 26
Berlin-Zehlendorf
D-14169 Germany
(49) 30-28-87-71-83
(49) 30-6981-9718
URI Berlin CC
Purpose: To promote dialogue and
peacebuilding actions between different
religions in Berlin.
132
through glocal (local/global) projects and
media coverage of productive collaboration
across the divides which are rightly seen as
an urgent threat to the international balance.
(49) 163-164-7528
peter.amsler@mac.com
URI Germany CC (URI Deutschland
CC)
Description: BRIDGE is composed of a
group of colleagues at The Glocal Forum and
their interested friends and partners who work
in the area of interfaith and discuss their work
from an interfaith perspective, capitalizing on
their organization's diversity. The Glocal
Forum is a non-profit organization created in
2001 active in the field of city-to-city
cooperation. We believe that mayors are
poised to be the new diplomats of our world,
and that they are in a position to mobilize the
goodwill, energy and expertise of civic
communities, to build an environment in which
divisions and conflict can be overcome. Our
explicit work in the area of interfaith stems
from the Fifth Annual Glocalization
Conference in Ankara, Turkey in June 2006,
when conference participants agreed on the
danger of a growing rift between civilizations
and the necessity to take urgent steps to
counter this rift through city-based peacebuilding. Though we are just getting started,
we are pleased to report very positive
discussions about our work with the Jesuits
international secretariat, the UN's Alliance of
Civilizations, the Royal Institute of Interfaith
Studies in Amman, as well as URI itself.
Purpose: To create an administrative
structure for URI in Germany, to inspire and
support CCs in German-speaking countries,
and to promote the aims of URI and make
them better known in Germany.
Description: URI Germany holds a general
annual meeting, where our members consult
about the development of URI and exchange
experiences and good practices. Our
members participate in a large number of
interfaith activities and are involved in different
organisations and networks. We held a
general meeting in May 2011.
Primary Contact
Contact:
ct:
Karimah K. Stauch
Ahornweg 3
Bonn - Heiderhof
D-53177 Germany
(49) 228-230-476 (home office)
info@dmlbonn.de
www.muslimliga.de
Secondary Contact:
Contact: Bashir A. Dultz
Hans- Boeckler Allee 15
Bonn - Bad Godesberg
D-53177 Germany
(49) 228-330-915
info@dmlbonn.de
www.muslimliga.de
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Megan Hallahan
Intercultural Relations Department
The Glocal Forum, Via G. Zanardelli, 34
Rome
I-00186 Italy
(39) 6-68-884-203
megan@glocalforum.org
www.glocalforum.org
ITALY
BRIDGE CC
Purpose: To bridge cultures and religious
divides by promoting intercultural and
interfaith dialogue and cooperation among
citizens (particularly youth), policy makers,
academics, and civil society practitioners
133
experts on subjects as responding during
floods/inundations, dealing with a radio-active
cloud, counseling for dying people and souls
of people who just died, and healing the earth
and nature after a disaster.
NETHERLANDS
Interfaith Dialogue Utrecht CC
Purpose: To deepen and widen interfaith
dialogue and understanding.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ari van Buuren
Carolina McGillavrylaan 364
XB Amsterdam
1098 Netherlands
(31) 6-5106-5426
avanburen@nvcnet.nl
http://www.unitedreligionsinitiative.nl
Description:
This group has been in existence for quite a
long time, maybe 10 years. When we got to
know URI we decided to join this framework,
which excited and enthused us and continues
to do so. We hold monthly meetings which
promote deep conversations amongst
ourselves. We once held a celebration in a
church on the Muslim Fest of the Sacrifice. It
included talk, prayers, and sharing food. Our
members belong to the following religions:
Christian (CAtholic and Protestant), Subud,
Muslim, and Sufi.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Adriaan Frans Feith
Van Halewijnplein 18
Voorburg
2274 VC Netherlands
(31) 070-387-1196
auditadviesfeith@planet.nl
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ari van Buuren
Carolina McGillavrylaan 364
XB Amsterdam
1098 Netherlands
(31) 6-5106-5426
avanburen@nvcnet.nl
http://www.unitedreligionsinitiative.nl
Steering Committee URI NL CC
Purpose: To organize and coordinate
activities for interfaith dialogue and
understanding.
Description: Since 1998, the Steering
Committee URI The Netherlands CC puts
itself forward as a national organization which
works to develop URI CCs across the country
and to support existing CCs. same day. All
groups however serve very similar
constituencies. Last year, URI The
Netherlands wrote a plan of approach.
Three themes were important: 1) how we can
work together with interreligious partners;
2) in which way we can support the national
CCs; 3) how can we acquire finances;
4) how can we realize the foundation of new
CCs. In April 2010, we held a symposium on
the theme: "I make difference!! Difference in
education." We organized special sessions
with the local CCs in The Netherlands.
Moreover, a new Interreligious Council has
been founded in The Hague, in a very
multicultural area. This Interreligious Council
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Carlos Spoor
Brigittenstraat 15
Utrecht
NL-3512 Netherlands
(31) 30-294-8471
cspoor@planet.nl
Procesbegeleidersgroep
Samenwerkingsverband
Traumahulpverlen
Purpose: To offer additional help to people,
animals, nature and environment after big
calamities.
Description: Our CC has been involved in
many activities such as workshops held with
134
institutions, such as a project to prevent and
fight poverty.
will also apply as a URI Cooperation Circle
(on 13 June 2010). Several representatives
from mosques, churches and mandirs form a
fascinating group. The members of the URI
Steering Committee are working in more than
one interreligious setting, in the Netherlands
as well as abroad. For example we took care
of the translation of a book entitled "Die Bibel
interreligiös gelesen" by Dr. Reinhard Kirste
(Iserlohn) from German into Dutch: "De
tolerante Bijbel" ("The tolerant Bible").
Description: We are currently preparing a
presentation of our CC in order to present the
IBS during a meeting for which we wish to
invite other CCs from The Netherlands and
hopefully some from the rest of Europe. We
organized two meetings for the residents of
Segbroek on the themes “The resumption of
the IBS” and “No discrimation, but
communication,” which featured special
speakers and music and cabaret. Apart from
this, we participated in a project to fight and
prevent poverty. We collaborate with several
other local social organizations on a project to
support the poor in our district.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ari van Buuren
Carolina McGillavrylaan 364
XB Amsterdam
1098 Netherlands
(31) 6-5106-5426
avanburen@nvcnet.nl
http://www.unitedreligionsinitiative.nl
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bart ten Broek
Loosduinseweg 251
AD 's-Gravenhage
2571 Netherlands
070 3624009
06 19599553
bart.tenbroek@online.nl
Secondary Contact
Contacts
acts :
Aart Mak
Kokstraat 12
KJ Haarlem
NL-3512 Netherlands
aartmak@planet.nl
Secondary Contact:
Sharief Imambuks
A. Sacharovstraat 17
The Hague
2552 HK Netherlands
(31) 062-3308-247
imamsharief@live.nl
Bart ten Broek
Loosduinseweg 251
AD 's-Gravenhage
2571 Netherlands
(31) 70-362-4009
(31) 61-959-9553
bart.tenbroek@online.nl
Women's Group IJsselstroom Zwolle
and Surroundings
Stichting
Stichting Interreligieus Beraad
Segbroek
Purpose: The value of our organization can
be summarized in a couple of elements:
openness; respect, looking for what unifies
instead of looking for differences between
religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous
traditions; growing in love and peace;
curiosity at the unknown, practicing
awareness in our own environment.
Purpose: To contribute to and to enhance
peaceful coexisting in the multicultural and
multi-religious district of Segbroek (The
Hague, The Netherlands); to contribute to and
to enhance the livability and the
cosmopolitanism of this district; and to
organize activities such as theme meetings
and to participate in projects with other social
135
and other places. We like to encourage
people to get inspired by the possibilities of
interfaith dialogue and learn about their own
and their neighbors' religions. We deepen
our knowledge about each other's religions
and meet once a month in our churches and
mosques.
Description: Our CC's activities include
coming together every six weeks on
Wednesday with the aim to know each other
better; growing in love, peace and respect for
ourselves and the people around us, showing
this by our behavior; starting from a point of
unity helping each other to become more
aware of it; getting more insight in our own
religion, spiritual expression or indigenous
tradition, as a result of regular contact with
each other; taking responsibility in peace, with
tolerance and respect for our own religion,
spiritual expression or indigenous tradition at
the moment that a situation asks for it;
cooperating to give more publicity to URI;
developing different URI projects; offering
cooperation to work on peace between
religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous
traditions, within URI and other organizations;
and dealing with Mother Earth, both
economically and with care and respect.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Alexandru I. Stan
Str. Calea Calarasilor 83
Bucharest, Sector 3 Romania
(40) 21-322-3445
(40) 72-299-0363
profalistasm@yahoo.com
RUSSIA
EuroEuro- Asia CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to encourage
people of our region to unite in the name of
the common good; to promote interfaith
cooperation between the people of all breeds,
different cultures, social status; and to share
with the people of the world with our Siberian
heritage and to learn more about the heritage
of other nations.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lonneke Gunnink-v.d Berg
Dolte 1, Zwolle
8032LA Netherlands
(31) 38-452-7475
lexgunnink@kpnmail.nl
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Wanja Vermolen Sala
Papaverstraat 3
8012 EA Zwolle
Netherlands
w.vermolensala@versatel.nl
Description: Our CC members have been
already active, each in their own way, for
peace, justice and healing for a long time. Our
activities include organizing symposia around
issues of health and traditions, round tables
and workshops. Some members help the
elderly and people with physical handicaps,
and some teach children. Our group would
like to share the wisdom of the indigenous
people of Siberia. We would also like to learn
from people around the world.
ROMANIA
URI RomaniaRomania - Int'l Ecumenical Center
CC
Primary Contact
Contact:
act:
Galina G. Ermolina
Ivanov sreet 30"A"Apartment: 128
Novosibirsk-117
630117 Russia
(07) 383-332-97-13
roshni@sibmail.ru
Purpose: To develop interfaith knowledge
and cooperation.
Description: We expand cooperation
between Christians and Muslims in the capital
area by hosting panel discussions and
seminars at the Univeristy, a Cultural Center,
136
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rimma P. Zvereva
4, Ekvatornaya Street Apartment: 42
Novosibirsk-060,
630060 Russia
(07) 383-333-4397
rimma_zvereva@mail.ru
SPAIN
Associació UNESCO per al Diàleg
Interreligiós AUDIR CC
Purpose: To bring together experts from
various religious and cultural traditions; to
promote attitudes of mutual understanding
and cooperation; to organize studies about
the various religious traditions; to facilitate the
enculturation of religious traditions.
Religions for Humanity CC
Purpose: To implement the purpose of URI
and to spread knowledge about various
religions and to support people's belief in
human values.
Description: We are a Catalan organization
which brings together about one hundred
people from more than ten different religious
traditions through activities promoting
knowledge, dialogue and cooperation among
the various religious confessions in Catalunya.
Our current activities include the organization
of interfaith prayers about "Spirituality and
Aids"
Description: Our CC meets regularly to
discuss both information from other CCs and
the URI movement, urgent present day
problems as well as philosophy and history of
various religions. Recently we discussed the
problems of Sikh religion: its history, ritual and
specific problems in different countries
outside India.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Francesc Torradeflot
carrer Nápols, 346
Barcelona
08025 Spain
(34) 934589595
f.torradelflot@audir.org
www.unescocat.org/en/
Primary Contact
C ontact:
ontact:
Liudmila V. Khokhlova
Flat 104, Festivalnaya 17
Moscow
125195 Russia
(7) 495-629-40-87
(7) 495-457-1757
(7)-8903-580-50-38
lvik@orc.ru
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Elisabeth Lheure
carrer Nápols, 346
Barcelona
08025 Spain
(34) 934589595 / (34) 609107494
e.lheure@audir.org
www.unescocat.org/en/
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gyuzel Strelkova
Chertanovskaya Str. 64, block 3, app. 168
Moscow
117534 Russia
(7) 495-386-4656
(7) 903-769-8856
gstr@mail.ru
GUNE CC
Purpose: To promote the encounter, the
dialogue and mutual understanding of people
of different spiritual and religious sensitivities.
Description: Our group was legalized in
2008 and our most important activities have
137
Description:
Description: Our members are from different
countries of Central Asia, all of whom
currently live in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Our
main focus is to promote a dialogue of
cultures. We have organized various
seminars, roundtables and concerts, as well
as an International Peace Day celebration,
under the direction of the Ziyadullo Shahidi
International Foundation with the partnership
of the UN Tajikistan Peace-Building Office.
More than 1500 participants attended
including representatives of different faiths
present in Dushanbe. A seminar ""Dialogue of
Religions for the Culture of Peace"" was held
at the Slavic University of Dushanbe.
Speeches about Islamic tolerance for diversity
of cultures and religions elicited many
questions from the students.
been retreats, discussions and principally
hosting pilgrims from Zumaia. We have
organized debates (tertulias) and weekend
retreats to deepen in knowledge and abilities
that can help us to live together in a better
way (co-listening, reflex therapy, etc). During
the summer we take care of a hostel for
pilgrims of the "Camino de Santiago." We are
also promoting an interreligious network in the
Basque Country. We would like to create a
center of permanent encounter as well as a
centre of documentation from which we
would know and promote a healthy
coexistence of the different religions and
spiritualities.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Maddi B. Etxaide
Av. Zarautz, 49-1B
Donostica - Gipuzkoa 20018 Spain
(34) 943460571
(34) 943311931
(34) 656775200
topaune@gmail.com
http://topaune.blogspot.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Munira Shahidi
Ziyadullo Shahidi Foundation
108 Loiq Sheralli Street
Dushanbe
734002 Tajikistan
munira_shahidi@yahoo.com
www.shahidifoundation.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Joseba Ossa Altzibar
Narkis Balentziaga 2
Arroa Behea Gipuzkoa
20749 Spain
(34) 943148306
(34) 943148065
(34) 619402174
mia5@euskalnet.net
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nargis Shahidi
Ziyadullo Shahidi Foundation
108 Loiq Sheralli Street
Dushanbe
734002 Tajikistan
(992) 372 24 23 42 / (992) 372 21 75 47
www.shahidifoundation.org
T AJIKISTAN
TURKEY
Center for Peace and Dialogue of
Cultures
SIRF Society for Intercultural Research
and Friendship
Purpose: To expand our network via art. We
are inspired to raise our voices for peace and
understanding and to widen our cooperation
further between the diverse cultures and
religions. To encourage people to create a
peaceful society locally and globally without
any discrimination.
Purpose: To arrange a peaceful atmosphere
among 4000 members from 70 countries
studying in Turkey.
Description: SIRF is an organization
involving 4000 students from different
138
countries and different religions who come to
study in Turkey. We organize trips to tourist
sites, parties and various gatherings to
promote inter-cultural and inter-religious
opportunities for students to get to know one
another. The President of the Turkish
Parliament attended one event and issued an
intercultural friendship certificate to all
students. SIRF was established in 1995, and
we have seminars and events every other
week.
Description: Faith 2 Faith has been involved
in a number of activities in 2009/2010. These
have ranged from the International Day of
Peace event to peace vigils to celebrate
Diwali amd Christmas events. We have also
held daily luncheon clubs and weekly
discussion sessions on topics of interest. In
January 2010, we marked the Holocaust
through through reflections, candle lighting
and pledging to work togther to prevent future
discrimination.
Primary Contact
Contact:
ct:
Semsettin Turkan
Konur Sokak 36/15
Kizilay-Amkara
6690 Turkey
(90) 312-356-3717
(90) 533-580-3006
semsturk@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kiran Bali
25 Ripon Avenue
Fartown, Huddersfield
HD2 2QP United Kingdom
(44) 1484-307-429
(44) 7944-335-855
ms1kiran@yahoo.co.uk
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gurdev. S. Gossal
20 Zetland Street
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 2RA United Kingdom
(44) 1484-515-370
faiths2gether@yahoo.co.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Ahimsa for Quality of Life CC
Purpose: To relieve poverty, sickness &
distress; to advance education and the
protection of health; to advance provision of
micro enterprises leading to self-sufficiency
and promotion of human dignity throughout
the world.
Minorities of Europe CC
Purpose: To support and assist cooperation,
solidarity and exchange between different
minority communities and young people in
Europe.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Natubhai K. Shah
20 James Close
Woodlands
London
NW11 9QX United Kingdom
(44) 181-455-5573
dr@natubhaishah.com
Description: Minorities of Europe runs a
dozen or so seminars, exchanges and training
courses across Europe and the Caucuses per
year, exploring intercultural issues with young
people of all religions and many different
backgrounds. We also undertake work at our
base in Coventry, UK with local communities
seeking to facilitate effective integration into
British society. We also carry out work in
schools and colleges across the country,
usually working with our Swapping Cultures
Faith 2 Faith CC
Purpose: To foster harmonious and positive
relationships.
139
development of Shared Sacred Spaces within
each region of the UK.
programme. In recent years we organized and
facilitated a ground breaking summit between
young people from the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Our programs include are: Millennium
Volunteers (2000), Beyond Labels (2002),
Give a Book - Help build a Nation (2001),
Educational Trip to South Africa (2001),
Sharing the Sacred, Serving the World
(2004), Interfaith Champions 2007 -2008,
Connect Youth European Activities (ongoing).
Primary Contact:
Anne Vince
Lioncare House
58a Livingstone Road
Hove, East Sussex
BN33WL United Kingdom
(44) 127-374-8482
(44) 777-566-3955
anne@uri.org.uk
www.uri.org.uk
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Deepak Naik
Legacy House, 29 Walsgrave Road
Coventry
CV2 4HE United Kingdom
(44) 2476-225-764
www.moe-online.com
(44) 7932-065-453
deepak.naik@ntlworld.com
Secondary
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Ajit Singh
107 Whitton Road
Hounslow, Middlesex
TW3 2EJ United Kingdom
0-20-8898-8880
charanjit.ajitsingh@btinternet.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mark Gifford
Legacy House, 29 Walsgrave Road
Coventry
CV2 4HE United Kingdom
(44) 2476 225 764
(44) 7747 820 072
mmgifford@hotmail.com
Malcolm Stonestreet
North Side
Grange in Borrowdale
Keswick, Cumbria
CA12 5UQ United Kingdom
(44) 194-672-3242
(44) 122-971-7104
malcolmstonestreet@gmail.com
URIURI - UK CC
Purpose:
Purpose: To promote daily, enduring interfaith
cooperation, end religiously motivated
violence, and create cultures of peace, justice
& healing for the Earth and all living beings.
Description:
Our new umbrella campaign, "Faith in the
Community," provides a framework for
delivering both the traditional elements of our
work, such as Faith Evenings and the "Spirit
of the Nation" photographic programme, as
well as new areas of work involving long-term
partnerships with community, public and
business sector organisations and the
140
Latin America
33 CCs in 11 countries
Members of Fé-minina CC in Brazil.
Members of Bridge-Builders Program in Argentina.
141
Members of Amaru CC.
Members of ETSA CC (joined URI in August 2011).
Members of URI-Lima CC in Peru.
Comunidad Cosmica and Indigenous People of
Argentina CCs held a peace event at a local
YMCA.
Fundación Proyecto 3er Milenio CC tree
planting for International Day of Peace 2011.
Qewna CC hosted Sally Mahe, URI Director of Regional Development,
in Jujuy,Argentina.
142
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mabel Marina Pereira
Marinero Justo Mamani 3342
Barrio Islas Malvinas
San Salvador de Jujuy 4600 Argentina
ARGENTINA
Asociación Intercultural Diálogo CC
Purpose: To promote dialogue and friendship
between all people.
Description: The CC engaged in several
activities to promote dialogue and friendship
in 2011. Together with Escuela de Amor CC
and the CC of the Indigenous People in
Argentina, Asociación Intercultural Diálogo
organized an encounter around URI's
Preamble, Purpose and Principles for the
International Week of Interfaith Harmony.
Comunidad Cósmica CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Alejandro Ponieman
Av. Alvear 1891
Buenos Aires, 1129 Argentina
(54) 11-4808-2160
aponieman@alvear.com.ar
Description: We work to generate and
strengthen relationships and cultural bridges
among diverse people, incorporating the life
project of indigenous people to the project of
a peaceful and fraternal citizenship. We
dream of deepening the space of intercultural,
interreligious and intergenerational dialogue
between youth and adults as a healthy and
favorable condition for our human and spiritual
development. The initiative of Comunidad
Cósmica CC is the result of the work of a
group of young indigenous who come from
different social, cultural and religious
backgrounds. The initiative of this circle is
founded in the consciousness of the need to
build community in diversity and sustainable
development. We gathered for this initiative
after reflecting and recognizing the diversity of
religions and spiritual conditions that existed
within our own indigenous community. Our
work helps youth to strengthen their identity.
Lack of a clear identity has been a serious
problem for us, sometimes causing youth to
abandon education, recurring to violence, and
also early parenthood. This initiative was
strengthened by the support of our elders and
our immense love for our Mother Earth.
Purpose: From the perspective of the
Cosmovision of Indigenous Peoples we want
to share and promote a human attitude in
relationship with life and nature to contribute
in the construction of a more just and
equitable society.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Maria Eugenia Crespo de Mafia
Castex 3330- 7 “g”Buenos Aires, 1425
Argentina
(54) 11- 4805 1038
mcrespo@uri.org
C.O.E.MA.TI (Comunidad Originaria
Ecos de la Madre Tierra )
Purpose: To revive and disseminate the
values of our ancestral culture in favor of our
Mother Nature and Humanity and to generate
greater ties of love, peace, and understanding
and respect for all cultures and our Mother
Earth (Pachamama).
Description: This CCs meets regularly and
participates in different capacity building
projects. Most of them have to do with the
defense of the indigenous communities and
the less economically gifted in the country.
Primary Contact
Contact:
Francisco Esteban Morales Ventosa
Córdoba 2206 - 8 53
Buenos Aires Argentina
143
(54) 11-4954-8557
(54) 9-11-5928-1664
franciscosol80@yahoo.com.ar
Fundación Proyecto 3er Milenio CC
Purpose: To work to install new ways of
thinking and acting in the areas of education
and peace and through the diffusion of new
paradigms.
Escuela de Amor CC
Description: Fundación Proyecto Tercer
Milenio develops initiatives to educate youth
in the actual concept of peace, and how each
person can contribute to a culture of peace
from his/her own reality. This includes planting
native trees and peace poles at schools,
institutions and public spaces where with a
joyful celebration we experience the powerful
transformation of peace. Since 1993,
Fundación Proyecto Tercer Milenio has
actively worked to develop a culture of peace
through interfaith dialogue, panels with
prestigious specialists and free conferences.
In 2000, Proyecto 3er Milenio was elected as
“Messenger of Peace” by UNESCO.
Fundación Proyecto Tercer Milenio also
builds bridges between different medical
approaches by organizing workshops with the
participation of reknown health professionals.
In August 2011, the CC planned to bring S.S
Dalai Lama to Argentina for a working day on
the topic of Science, Health and Spirituality.
Purpose: Our CC's purpose is to teach and
experience mutual respect and appreciation
between different religions and traditions and
to celebrate unity in diversity.
Description: Escuela de Amor is promoting
knowledge and understanding among Mulsim,
Christian and Jews conducting several weekly
dialogues using texts and readings of the
three traditions and deepening the common
values. Escuela de Amor leaders are often
invited to visit schools to speak about
religious identity and interfaith cooperation.
Through panels and workshops, we help
students at primary, secondary and university
levels learn about different identities as well
as the huge possibilities that mutual respect
and interfaith cooperation can bring. The
observance of the International Day of Peace
in 2010 included five visits to schools in
September. This Cooperation Circle was the
initiator of Bridge Builders program. This
program was funded by an award given by the
US Embassy in Buenos Aires and will have a
second phase in 2012. In May 2011, the
Spanish version of book Bridge Builders: an
Interfaith Experience was publised.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Susana Reich
11 de Septiembre St. 1740 - Apt. 13º
Buenos Aires
1426 Argentina
(54) 11-4788-4929
3milenio@interserver.com.ar
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Arieh Sztokman
Virrey Loreto 1546
Buenos Aires 1426 Argentina
(54) 11-4783-5380
rabinoarieh@fibertel.com.ar
Misiones Unidas CC
Purpose: To support a foundation created to
think over and spread the new paradigms in
health, education and enterprise organization
under the umbrella of partnership relations.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Maria Eugenia Crespo de Mafia
Castex 3330- 7 ”g”
Buenos Aires, 1425 Argentina
(54) 11 4 805 1038
mcrespo@uri.org
Description: Our CC is collaborating with
peace organizations in Argentina to observe
the International Day of Peace, the Day of
144
Non-Violence and Unity Day. We are also
organizing study groups. Many of our
volunteers are youth interested in working for
unity, dialogue and cooperation. For more
information, visit www.global-onenessday.org.
Of the Indigenous People of Argentina
CC
Purpose: To use dialogue with children and
with the different religions, spiritual traditions,
and indigenous traditions of the world as a
means to achieve harmony among human
beings and Mother Earth.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ciro G. Avruj
Av. Cabildo 2720 9*B
Buenos Aires 1428 Argentina
gavruj@hotmail.com
www.visionintegral.com.ar/gavruj
Description: We share the wisdom of our
culture and we learn from different religions
and spiritual traditions. We participate in
different meetings and events that have to do
with the understanding among religions and
spiritual traditions. In 2010 and 2011, we
visited public and private schools to share our
cosmovision and values with students. We
are indigenous from different groups, such as
kollas, wichis, tobas, guaranies, and we have
engaged in interrelious dialogue with other
indigenous communities. We supported the
voice of the indigenous of our country
suffering discrimination and also created
spaces in which they could tell their truth. A
good example of this was a meeting
organized in the YMCA center in Buenos
Aires together with Comunidad Cosmica CC.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Susana Reich
11 de Septiembre St. 1740 - Apt. 13º
Buenos Aires, 1426 Argentina
(54) 11-4788-4929
3milenio@interserver.com.ar
Mujeres Originarias en la Política Social
y Comunitaria (MOPSYC)
Purpose: To make our rights known.
Description: This CC is organizing activities
for awareness and defense of the indigenous
communities in the north of Argentina. Today
this implies the struggle in defense of their
rights and lands. Their efforts are directed to
the need to keep their cosmovision without
loosing contact and dialogue with other
religious expressions. Despite economic
hardship and discrimination, our CC keeps a
solid group that is active and organizes
different activities and workshops in defense
of the indigenous and women's rights, and to
promote respect and conservation of the
cultural legacy of the indigenous in Argentina.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rosalia Gutierrez
Avenida Córdoba 2206- 8
Buenos Aires Argentina
(54) 11-4954-8557
cepnaar@yahoo.com
Qewna Cooperation
Cooperation Circle
Purpose: To provide inter-religious and intercultural dialogue.
Description: We formed with the need of
rescuing our heritage of indigenous values
and to project them in the search of
intercultural dialogue. In URI we value the
effort to obtain through dialogue a better
understanding among religions and
indigenous traditions. Qewna works with a
lunar calendar related to the feasts of the
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Luisa Pereira
México 1218
Buenos Aires, 1097 Argentina
(54) 15-4170-8039
luisaper19@yahoo.com.ar
145
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Calixto Q. Huanca
Calle Saucari 1025, Villa 6 de Agosto
Bolivia
(591) 706 781 21
jilatashispi@yahoo.com
Kolla culture of which all of us are a part. Our
plan is to include children and youth and help
them to be conscious of the importance of
dialogue to strengthen the work for peace and
the care for our Mother Nature - Pachamama.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Raul Mamani
Constitucion 853
Jujuy 4612 Argentina
(54) 388-427-4744
miyuyoc@yahoo.com.ar
Qhana UTA
Purpose: To systematize the wisdom of the
ancestral people and culture through the
production of audiovisuals for the
strengthening of the identities in the New
Bolivia Pluri-national.
BOLIVIA
Description: This group has met and worked
together since 2005 to rescue the cultures
and ancestral wisdom as a contribution to a
world that wants to learn and share. We aim
to contribute in the processes of
decolonialization through reflection
encounters and debates, reaffirming a new
dawn for Bolivia. We've offered TV programs
and workshops on topics such as interreligious and intercultural dialogue, spirituality,
education, and health. Through our activities
and approach, we aim to promote the initiative
to respect the earth, to take care of Mother
Earth and global warming, to bring awareness
of water scarcity and of the melting of glaciers
through documentaries and videos and alert
the community about what this represents for
our community.
Confraternidad
Confraterni dad Ecuménica CC
Purpose: To promote the unity of Christians.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Moisés Morales
Murillo
La Paz 591-2 Bolivia
(591) 2-240-9396
dialceb@iglesia.org.bo
Movimiento Ecuménico Interreligioso de
Pueblos Indígenas (MEIPI CC)
Purpose: To be Qullan Jaqi in aski pacha, or a
"humanity with a clean conscience," to
proclaim jallalla, affirming and re-affirming the
suma qamaña, and to live well in an interspiritual, intercultural, ecumenical and interreligious context for a new plurinational
Bolivia.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Julian Ticoua Ramon
La Paz, Murillo, Bolivia
(591) 712-002-90
julianticoma@yahoo.com
Description: Our group has met since 1987.
Our highlights have included participating in
social movements during 2000-2003 and in
the process to create the Constitution for our
country in 2006-2008, and generating
ecumenical and interfaith spaces in different
churches.
Wiñay Llayta (Eternal People)
Purpose: To harmonize relationships and
understanding between people in the world.
Description: This CC is right in the frontiers
between Argentina and Bolivia and helps to
146
(55) 31-3371-9802
bhorizonte@bkumaris.com.br
develop relationships between people of Jujuy
and Villazon. This CC also supports people
suffering problems of water contamination
because of mineworks.
Campinas CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
María Patzi
Copacabana Street, between Modesto Mist
Yruya s/n
Villazon
Potosi Bolivia
(54)93885815610
Purpose: To promote the peace, unity among
religions and harmony with the environment in
search of a more socially just and sustainable
planet.
Description:
Description: We are a group of seven
different religious traditions, gathered with the
purpose of promoting dialogue and
cooperative interfaith actions in Campinas,
Brazil. We started our activities at the Social
Forum of Campinas in 2002. Our activities
2010-2011included: visiting various religious
traditions worship places; attending various
religious ceremonies from different traditions;
intensive labor for disarmament and arms
control in partnership with the Brazil's
Disarmament Network; partnership with the
Human Rights Commission of the Campinas's
City; supporting the campaign "Faith in
Prevention" that unites different religious
groups in support of campaigns to prevent
drug use and alcohol abuse; organization of
the International Day of Peace annual
celebration and participation in various
activities and events for the Culture of Peace;
disclosure of the Campaign Planting a
billion/seven billion trees on the planet www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign;
coordination of a women's group - working in
solidarity economics at Jardim Campo Belo I;
and working in FIB - "Felicidade Interna Bruta"
(Gross Internal Happiness), which started in
the "Campo Belo" by influence of the
Campinas CC and the NGO "Sonha Barão"
(Dream Baron).
B RAZIL
Belo Horizonte CC
Purpose: To promote fidelity and
dissemination of URI's purpose involving the
community.
Description:
Description: Our activities started in
November and from then on we have
organized two principal events with the
objective to introduce URI purpose and
principles to the community. During the first
event we counted with the participation of
seventy people representing more than thirty
religious traditions and for the second one
more than five hundred turned up to learn
about URI. Our objective is now to strengthen
the group and reach out, integrating more
people and together develop projects with the
community.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Aurora Oliveira
Rua Americo Macedo, 782/701
Gutierrez, Belo Horizonte
Minas Gerais, Brazil
(55) 31-3295-3822/ 99827765
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Maria Salette Mayer de Aquino Guiliano
Rua Visconde do Rio Claro, 379
Barao Geraldo
Campinas, SP 13.083-650 Brazil
(55) 19-3287-0200
(55) 9276-4413
salette@unicamp.br
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Patricia Carvalho
Rua Industrial Jose Costa, 587
Nova Granada
Bela Horizonte - MG
Rio de Janeiro 30460-550 Brazil
147
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Raticliff Bravieira
Rua Visconde do Rio Claro, 379
Barao Geraldo
Campinas, SP13.083-650 Brazil
19 - 32720645
917-53-205
Curitiba CC
Purpose: To provide a permanent forum for
inter-religious dialogue.
Description: An important moment for our
Cooperation Circle was the first Assembly of
URI Brazil that took place 11-15 November
2004. Curitiba CC hosted and organized the
the event. Since then, Curitiba CC, in
assocation with SESI ( Social Service of
Industries), runs the Sacred Waters of the
Paraná project which aims to identify and
systematize the cultural pluralism of the
Parana through the manifestation of the
sacred focusing in the Occidental, Eastern,
Afro descendants and indigenous.
Círculo de Cooperação URI Goiás
Purpose: To function as a bridge and
promote actions related to interreligious
dialogue, a culture of peace, human rights,
human values, family virtues and ecology.
Description: We were born on April 18th,
2009. On that special day we counted 16
members. Our action plan for 2011 includes:
Keeping Goiás URI CC active; Promoting
actions and gatherings related with the
interfaith dialogue, culture of peace, positive
vibrations for Planet Earth, reconciliation with
mother nature, moments of coexistence,
cooperation and solidarity among the
signatories of the URI Goiás CC; Prayer and
meditation for peace every first Saturday of
the month; World Walk for peace in
September; Interfaith and culture of peace
gatherings, possibly twice a year.
Prayer and meditations for peace in February,
March and May during the CC meetings; and
Participation in actions in favor of the release
of Bahai's.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Regina M. Bueno
Rua Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza
2019 Curitiba 80200-100 Brazil
buenoreg@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Silvio Espindola
Rua Visconde de Rio Branco
Curitiba, 1335 Brazil
silvioespindola@swi.com.br
FéFé - m e nina
Purpose: To rescue the feminine principle in
the religious, spiritual and indigenous
traditions to promote justice, cooperation and
healing among people of different genders,
thereby creating a culture of peace.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Genivalda Araujo Cravo dos Santos
Rua Noruega Qd. 109 Lt. 14 Jardim Europa
Numero: s/n
Goiânia Goiás 74330-120 Brazil
(55) 62-3934-1963
genivaldacravo@gmail.com
Description: Our activities this last year
included: a) During the Easter of 2010, the
First Fé Menina Retreat was held and it was
exceedingly important to strengthening the
CC, with a new approach to understanding
and widening the view of the Reign of the
Mother of the World; and b) Fe-minina
participated in the creation of the MCC on the
feminine and women within URI global.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Catarina Cavalcante de Jesus
(55) 62-3224-0784
(55) 62-3203-5966
148
Sào Paulo, SP 03590-020 Brazil
Rev_elias@yahoo.com.br
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Marly Pedra
Rua Dr. Luiz Azevedo Filho
Filho, 38 - Vila Mariana
São Paulo, SP 04044-050 Brazil
(55) 11-5078-8093
marlupa@terra.com.br
Rio InterInter- Religious Movement CC (MIR)
Purpose: To gather and promote dialogue
among religious groups in Rio. To organize
interfaith social action and solidarity
campaigns.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Celuta L. Wagner Santos
Casa-Urusvati-Rua Dr. Luis Azevedo Filho, 38
- Vila Clementino
Sao Paulo, 04044-050 Brazil
(55) 11-2578-7254
(55) 11-3749-1667
(55) 11-8558-8358
educel@uol.com.br
Description:
Description: Our Cooperation Circle meets
monthly and organizes various activities to
develop and strengthen dialogue and respect
among different religious traditions and
spiritual groups. We have an ongoing
partrnership with ISER (Instituto para Estudios
Religiosos) and other associations. We also
participate in meetings and work with the
government of Rio de Janeiro state through
the secretariat for Social Assistance and
Human Rights (we discuss and develop
public policies against religious intolerance)
and the secretariat for the Environment (we
participate in the Managing Council of the
State Parks to guarantee the harmony
between the care for the environment and
religious practices) Our most outstanding
activities have been: Particiaption of the
Project Brasil Real to discusse about family,
environment, media and communications with
the participation of 10 religious traditions;
Participation in seminars about sexuality and
religion in the University of the State of Rio de
Janeiro to deal with homophobia among
religious groups; Participation with ISER of
Degase program(Department of Educational
Policies for children in Conflict with the Law)
about religious assistance of youth; and
Participation in meetings on the theme of
Spiritual Predestination in Brazil with the
participation of various religious traditions.
Grupo InterInter- Religioso de Sào Paulo
CC
Purpose: To develop dialogue attitudes
among religious and spiritual leaders in our
city and share solidarity actions with the poor
people among whom we live.
Description: Our CC is working on forming
new partnerships with entities linked to the
culture of peace, always valuing the
contribution of URI, and spirituality of the
religious leaders as forces of transformation in
the social context. For this reason, we support
the renewal of CONPAZ - Parliamentary
Council for Culture of Peace of the Legislative
Assembly of the State of São Paulo. We are
always attentive to environmental issues and
we also support UNISOES "Ecological
Panorama for a sustainable and peaceful
world" event in DC. Another focus of our
central committee is to educate young people
on interfaith dialogue. We also collaborate
with the community of Taizé Brazil in the "Day
of Trust," a meeting for youth focused on the
theme of interfaith dialogue.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
André Porto
Rua do Russel 76, Gloria
Rio de Janeiro - RJ 22210-010 Brazil
(55) 21-2555-3766
aporto@uri.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Elias de Andrade Pinto
Rua Pe. Claudio Gomes, 82 Apto 12A
149
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rogerio Favilla
Ladeira da Gloria, 98
Rio de Janeiro, 22211-120 Brazil
rofavilla@uol.com.br
www.vivario.org.br
Ana Santos
Rua Afonso Rui de Souza, 554, Itaigara
Salvador, Bahia, 41815-300 Brazil
(55) 7132-34-3689
(55) 7187-88-1947
anaessencia@hotmail.com
UNISOES - BRASIL
URI Brasilia CC
Purpose: To promote the union between all
the segments and work for the common good.
Purpose: To promote the harmony between
the many religions and expressions of people,
emphasizing the importance of the primary
spiritual search and the divine conscious
platform, as a means of obtaining a lasting
peace and universal brotherhood.
Description: Our CC engages in political,
educational and spiritual activities. Some of
our activities include, but are not limited to:
cataloging knowledge of the natives who hear
nature (afros, indigenous) for educational use;
planning educational activities aiming to work
the balance of masculine and feminine
principles; conducting gatherings that allow
the exchange of knowledge on topics related
to bioethics; and working in favor of the
expansion of consciousness and a global view
of life by conducting retreats and vigils.
Description: Our Action Plan 2010-2011
includes: interfaith event to observe the
National Day of Religious Intolerance Combat;
public events and debates in the Foreign
Relations Ministry on the issue Baha'i in Iran;
mobilization for the consolidation of the entity
that will deal with the Federal District's
government about the issue of Religious
Education; supporting the Reference for the
Promotion's Centre and Human Rights
Defense to Religious Diversity - CRDHDR, for
actions in Brasilia and contacts in other
states; restarting to articulate to constitute
the Religious Diversity's Forum of DF; and
discussion and articulation about the General
Law of Religions in process of being
transacted in the Senate.
Primary Contact:
Ernesto Cardoso
Rua Afonso Rui de Souza, 554, Itaigara
Salvador, Bahia, 41815-300 Brazil
(55) 7191-94-2118
(55) 7132-64-2342
emcardoso12@yahoo.com.br
Secondary Contacts:
Contacts:
Marly Pedra
Rua Dr. Luiz Azevedo Filho
Filho, 38 - Vila Mariana
São Paulo, SP, 04044-050 Brazil
(55) 11-5078-8093
marlupa@terra.com.br
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Elianildo Nascimento
Asa Sul - Brasília DF Brazil
(55) 61-3368-1752 / (55) 61-3340-4095
(55) 61-9633-8420
elianildonascimento@yahoo.com.br
Paullo Santos
Rua Dr. Luiz Azevedo Filho
Filho, 38 - Vila Mariana
São Paulo, SP 04044-050 Brazil
(55) 11-5078-8093
marlupa@terra.com.br
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Iza Marina Vicino
SQS 405 Bloco T, Apt. 107 - Asa
SulBrasília-DF, 70.239-200 Brazil
(55) 9622-2510 / (55) 613-342-1730
(55) 6132-44-9711
iza_marina@hotmail.com
150
CHILE
(56) 2-7698358
pa_smithson@hotmail.com
Foro Espiritual de Santiago por la Paz CC
(Spiritual Forum of Santiago for Peace. CC)
ECUADOR
Purpose: To promote peace at social, family
and individual levels through interfaith
dialogue and cooperation.
SAMAY
Purpose: To recuperate spirituality.
Description: Foro Espiritual de Santiago por
la Paz is an informal group of people related
to value-based and faith-inspired
institutions. A wide array of faiths and
spiritual traditions with active communities
in Chile are present in the Forum, which
include Bahá’ì Faith, Buddhism, Christian
Faith (Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists,
Pentecostals), Islam (traditions Sunni and
Shia), Judaism, Mapuche indigenous
tradition, Sufism, Sikhism and Spiritual
University Brahma Kumaris. The Forum has
remained active since its creation on June
1996, with around 10 monthly meetings per
year. This macroecumenical interaction is
appreciated by its members as a source of
spiritual development. Its main activity for
the general public is the annual celebration
of the International Day of Peace, which
includes an Interreligious Prayer ceremony,
prayers for peace at the community level,
and a campaign, sponsored by the Ministry
of Education, promoting this celebration in
the schools across the country.
Description: We are having meetings
creating a space for conversation with families
that are having addiction problems. We want
to overcome the problems in Saraguro with
the practice of love in action
Primary Contact:
Lauro Vicente Sarango Andrade &
Rosa Delia Quizhpe
(593) 220-0356 / (593) 0932-75-418
quizhperosa @hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Asuncion Zhunqula Sarango Ilincho
(593) 0878-01-725
asuncionzhunaula@hotmail.es
GUATEMALA
Nimalaj Molojri'il Richin Ajq'ijab'Kamol
Taq' B'ey Q'alpul Mayab'ixim Ulew
Ruk'amal Ab'ya Yala (Mayan
language)(Gran Confederacion
Confederacion de
Consejos Principales Ajq'ijab'
Originarios De Pueblo Mayab' De
Guatemala Centro America) CC
Primary Contact:
Gerardo Gonzalez Cortes
Via Esmeralda 9440, Vitacura
Santiago, Chile
(56) 2-218-5578
gerardo.gonzalez@mi.cl
Gerardo.gonzalez97
Purpose: To promote ancestral cultural
values through the Mayan Cosmovision
searching a universal and pluriversal integrate
life. On our people weighs six centuries of
Spanish invasion and actually internal and
external colonialism that have not allowed the
validity of our spirituality, philosophy, science,
art and our technology and given the decay of
all systems today, it is necessary and urgent
that we return to what is ours, and strengthen
Secondary Contact:
Patricia Smithson
151
the unity of our people in the frame of our
cosmovison.
(509) 2511-4585 / (509) 3558-9157
ayititoma@yahoo.com
Description:
We come from millenary people with ancestral
roots with the practice of the Cosmovison and
balance. The Great Confederation of Principal
Councils Ajq'ijab' is a community organization
and a network of 96 indigenous organizations
with the purpose to recover the ancestral
Mayan values and demand peoples rights.
Our activities are social, cultural and political
and they take place in diverse regions in
Guatemala. Mayabaktun.com and Visual Maya
Communication make an effort to disclose
Mayan ancestral culture from Guatemala and
at the same time offer service of graphic
design with the purpose of creating a service
for self-sustainability.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Herode Garry Laurent
2, Marassa 12
Croix des Bouquets, HT6310 Haiti
(509) 3775-6524
herodelaurent@yahoo.fr
MEXICO
Consejo Interamericano Sobre La
Espiritualidad Indígena A.C. (CISEI
CC)
Purpose: To offer the URI family aspects of
the indigenous wisdom and culture from the
academia, mystic, cosmic and practice points
of view.
Primary Contact
Contact:
ntact:
Apolinario C. Pixtun
9na Calle 9-61, Apartamento 1, Montserrat II,
Zona 4 de Mixco
Ciudad de Guatemala Guatemala
(502) 24323795
achiiatz@yahoo.com
Description: CISEI is an inter-american nonprofit association that academic, science and
world specialists and spiritual leaders of the
indigenous people of America together to do
a work of systematic reflection regarding
multiculturalism, access to the environmental
and cultural heritage, the promotion and
defense of the Cosmo vision and the
spirituality of the indigenous people of
America and the construction of a culture of
peace. It is intended to be a space of
dialogue, respect, encounter, participation
and mutual support for indigenous and nonindigenous of America and the World whose
principal aim is to contribute in keeping alive
and revitalizing the rich natural, cultural and
spiritual legacy of the indigenous
communities in our continent. We are now
organizing our Seventh Forum of Indigenous
Spirituality on the theme "Spirit of Fire". It will
take place in Argentina in November 2012.
With the material of the Forums, CISEI has
published three books. A fourth one with the
material of the fifth and sixth forum is under
production.
HAITI
Haiti Interfaith Peace Initiative
Purpose: To promote interreligious dialogue,
corporation among different religion the
culture of peace and the golden rule in Haiti.
Description:
We promote mutual understanding and
respect among different religions in Haiti and
work together to promote a culture of peace.
We have been meeting informally to build
interest on what we can do to involve religions
in building a culture of peace in Haiti.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Daniel Tillias
2, Marrassa 12
Croix des Bouquets, HT6310 Haiti
152
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Vilma Diaz y Zárate
Jufre 705
Buenos Aires, 1414 Argentina
(54) 1147-77-1130
(54) 1147-73-0460
runawuasi@ciudad.com.ar
PANAMA
Mujeres Kunas Artesanas (MUKUA)
CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to improve the
quality of life for Kuna women through selling
craftwork, to help kuna women to be
conscious of the conservation of their
indigenous knowledge, and to value and take
care of our Mother Earth.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Marina Villalobos
Eucaliptos # 74, Balcones de Santa María
Morelia, Michoacán, 58090 Mexico
(52) 443-3-23-60-00
lobomarina@prodigy.net.mx
Description: We help all in the Kuna
community. We help support Kuna women,
who do not always have the opportunity to
work in enterprises or have a salary, and many
of them are single mothers. We hold capacity
building workshops, to teach design and
educate on how to start a small workshop and
create markets without intermediaries. We
also promote dialogue among people of
different religions and learn together how to
face the challenges. One of our most
important activities has been participating in
training workshops to learn practical ways of
facing problems such as climate change and
the food crisis. We also promote protection of
women from domestic violence and rights for
Kuna women.
Mexican Interfaith Council (CIM) CC
Purpose: To promote tolerance among
religious groups and within Mexican society.
To develop understanding of the different
traditions in the country and act with other
projects that reflect the universal values for all
humanity.
Description: Our past activities include:
holding a silent meditation in front of the US
Embassy prior to the Iraq War, meeting the
president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, to offer
counsel on interfaith matters, accepting an
invitation by the Interior Department to offer
our comments and suggestions on reforms to
the Mexican Law governing Religious
Institutions, and celebrating the International
Day of Peace in the Park close to the Peace
Bell.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Fany Avila Eleta
P.O. Box 2203, Balboa, Ancon
Panama, Panama
(507) 25 06 193
(507) 66 503 641
fanyavila@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Francisco Zuniga
franciscozi@oxygen.com.mx
Fany Gonzalez
Calle Septima Casa 72,
Veracruz Barriada, Koskuna
Arraijan, Panama
(507) 25 06 459
(507) 694 91 448
fagonzalez@hotmail.es
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lorena Perez
(44) 55-5433-1539
lpr2000@hotmail.com
153
Av. Los Geranios Mz. "O" Lote 7
Cooperativa Pablo Patrón
Chosica - Lima Peru
(51) 3559169
(51) 990418305
michayak@hotmail
PERU
ERU
Amaru CC
Purpose: To contribute to the development
and objectives of the URI and to join others in
daily enduring interfaith practice and model
this in our reality.
URI Lima CC
Description: Amaru CC is comprised of 25
members from Catholic, Protestant and
Indigenous Cosmovision backgrounds. They
organize interfaith activities and have influence
in the south of Perú. The principal activity of
this CC is to keep this dynamic group
together finding the common ground that
unites rather than that which separates them.
Purpose: Our purpose is to contribute to the
consolidation of a space in Lima where
interfaith cooperation is enduring and daily,
and that with its dynamism, end religiously
motivated violence and promote a culture of
peace, justice and healing for the earth and all
living beings. We look forward to promoting
participation of new members in the
Cooperation Circle through shared open
events as well as support the creation of new
CCs and give URI Lima CC visibility in events
aligned with URI Charter.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Diana P. Quispe
Jr. Ricardo Palma #476, Distrito Jesus
Nazareno
Ayacucho, Huamanga, Peru
Description:
The coordinating team of URI-Lima is formed
by five people that meet every two months
with the aim of deepening their fellowship and
organizing public events that take place in the
Synagogue and gather more than fifty
religious leaders of the nation. High regarded
intellectuals and personalities in the Peruvian
context are invited. During these events,
themes of the national situation are worked
with. URI-Lima, through fellowship meetings
and public events wishes to keep dialogue
alive and work so that respect and
cooperation among different religions and
cosmovisions is a reality. For further
information visit: http://circulourilima.blogspot.com/
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Alejandrino Q. Mejia
Jr. Ricardo Palma #476
Ayacucho, Huarnanga, Peru
(51) 66-315-054
alquime144@hotmail.com
ETSA CC
Purpose:
Purpos e: Incentive the openness, the
defense of life and the pacific co existence
between different religious faiths.
Description: This group has been meeting
with frequency this past year. We have written
articles and created a blog to comment on the
different situations our country is facing at this
moment. We believe this work is important
because it favors a wider approach to the
current issues, especially regarding minorities.
We also plan to produce a virtual magazine.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
David Limo Pajar
Av. Juan Casio Montarella (Lima) No.117
Chorrillos
Lima 09 Peru
(51) 1252-4119
dlimo@urialc.org
limo.uiogd@gmail.com
www.rosablancaperu.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
H.K. Michael A. Alva
154
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Andres P. Huertas
Av. Coricancha 667 Urb. Tahuantinsuyo
Distrito de Independencia
Lima, Peru
(511) 526-5533
andrewban@terra.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Enoe Texier
Colinas de Bello Monte - Calle Chama
Qta. Trebol
Caracas, 1050 Venezuela
(58) 212-751-3305
(58) 414-020-0736
enoetexier@gmail.com
VENEZUELA
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Maria Eugenia Franco
Apartado 49133
Colinas de Bell Monte
Caracas, Venezuela
(58) 251-263-3321
mariu_mariu@yahoo.com
Circulo De Cooperación para el
Diálogo CC
Purpose: To develop interculturual dialogue
to promote peace, mutual comprehension,
forgiveness and reconciliation. To study the
biological, psychological and spiritual
potential human beings have to build peace,
and to educate families and communities
about mutual respect, dialogue, fraternal
solidarity, cooperation, trust, justice, tolerance
and peace.
Description: The Circle of Cooperation
Dialogue - CCD URI / Venezuela is a
nonprofit association created June 15th,
2000. In 2001 Circulo de Cooperación para
el Diálogo signed a cooperation agreement
with the Central University of Venezuela for
the creation of the Luis Dolan's Chair as an
academic body attached to the Faculty of
Economics and Social Sciences. This Chair
carries out regular activities aimed at studying
the psycho-social reality both individually and
collectively and promote the role of spirituality
in the modeling of human beings and their
societies toward a Culture of Peace. This CC
has worked uninterruptedly for over a decade
in various research and action lines: tools for
dialogue, negotiations and agreements,
building a culture of peace, ethics training,
and citizen values, awareness and education
on human rights, the right to spiritual, mythical
journey into the myths that shape our life,
interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and
consideration of indigenous ancestral legacy.
155
Middle East & North Africa
58 CCs in 12 countries
International Women’s Day in Jerusalem in March 2011.
MENA youth engage in dialogue and training.
Iraq Youth for Dialogue and Coexistence CC
participate in rally in Baghdad, Iraq in 2011.
156
Trust WIN CC and Mada CC members attend “Chefs for Peace” Program.
Volunteering for Peace CC’s “Environmental Awareness for Palestinian Youth” training, part of the URI Environmental
Satellite seed grant program.
Participants from URI-MENA and URI-Europe at youth training in Rabat, Morocco in June 2011.
157
Description: Al-Karma and CIDT offer
internships to Egyptian and Western students
to work on papers on interreligious
understanding for publication in the electronic
magazine Arab-West Report. The
connections between former interns are
maintained through updates via newsletter
and through discussions in the ENAWU
forum, and we encourage former interns to
report on their personal experiences and
developments and to write on peace building
initiatives and experiences. Members off the
CC are encouraged to contribute to the forum
of the Electronic Network for Arab-West
Understanding (ENAWU) on issues related to
interreligious understanding www.enawu.org.
Any member of the CC can open a new
discussion on the forum. Once in a while, the
members of the CC will suggest a meeting in
the ENAWU chat room to share experiences.
The CC also discusses analytical reports on
tensions between adherents of Islam and
Christianity in Egypt with the purpose of
contributing towards solutions.
ALGERIA
Afrikkayyaah Interfaith Action
Purpose: To join people of different religions
and hold meetings and activities related to the
North Africa region.
Description: Afrikkayyah Interfaith Action CC
is the first of its kind working in the north of
Africa and Algeria and the EU. We are
planning to hold several activities such as
seminars, workshops and conferences as to
promote interfaith and religious dialogue and
understanding amongst local communities,
mainly targeting youth as being agents of
effective change in the society.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Tamam bin Fahmi F. Koudeih
P.O.Box 620386
Irbid
211-62 Jordan
altamam@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Ahmed Osama
'33 Ahmed Heshmat st., 7th floor, Zamalek
Cairo, 11211 Egypt
(20) 122-490-883
ahosama@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Bakary Sambee
Associate GREMMO Maison de l'Orient et de
la Méditerranée, Université Lyon 2
Lyon
France
Bakary.Sambe@univ-lyon2.fr
Egypt Women Empowerment Boosters
(EWEB) CC
EGYPT
Purpose: To empower women in society, and
to spread the awareness of their rights.
AlAl - KarmaKarma - CIDT CC
Description: On our way to empower
Egyptian women we will run several activities
dedicated to increasing women competencies
and skills to enhance their role in building their
societies and become self-sufficient. These
activities will include computer courses,
English language courses, sewing classes,
craft courses, and rights awareness
gatherings. In addition, we will organize
activities that will increase women awareness
Purpose: Our purpose is to build an
Electronic Network for Arab-West
Understanding between different religious
communities, offer internships for intercultural
and interreligious experiences for young
people, and organize meetings on topics of
interests to people of all faiths.
158
Our activities include Scout for peace and
Misriyti, a voluntary initiative that works on
peace education and spreading the peace
ideas through education and art, trainings ,
theater, music, and different activities. We
intend to start our awareness campaigns &
training programs to promote our goals, in
addition to enlarge our circle & make our
voice reach to every one who believes that the
world needs to become a better place , with
more understanding & cooperation between
people from different cultures & faiths.
of their rights and conduct activities to help
them attain and sustain their rights.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Reem H. Mehanny
17 Sudan St.
Dokki, Giza
Egypt
(20) 12-2884-754
reem_mehanny@hotmail.com
Egyptian Interfaith Association
Associ ation CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Faten F. Kassab
28 Ahmed Mokhtar Hegazy
Almanil, Second Floor, Flat 12
Cairo, Egypt
(20) 106759962
tona187@gmail.com
Purpose: To further interfaith dialogue and
mutual understanding in Egypt. To create and
develop new religious discourses
encountering our social, political, cultural, and
economic problems. To launch our religiously
motivated social action projects, created and
maintained by religious people belonging to
different traditions. To make conflict resolution
initiatives once religious conflicts erupt and to
help prevent them in the future by exploring
and treating the underlying causes. To stretch
our hands all over the world so that we can
exchange ideas and experience.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nancy I. Taha
(20) 198905457
Nancy.i.taha@gmail.com
New Horizons
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Georgette B. Beshay
3 Owase St., Masr El Kadema, Apartment 3
Cairo Egypt
(20) 226335109
(20) 227194022
(20) 165523914
gboushra_b@yahoo.com
Purpose: To promote a better understanding
of freedom of religions and to create a culture
of peace among all religions.
Description: Our group was created as a
separate group from our mother organization
"Development No Borders." The idea started
after organizing a series of informative
sessions about religions in Egypt as a part of
a course called "Ambassador of Egypt."
These sessions aim at helping Muslims and
Christians to understand each other better
and to live together peacefully. We have
organized informative sessions about religions
& accepting each other and also prayer
meetings for the peace of the world.
Giving without Borders
Purpose: Our purpose is to help people in
our society regardless of religion, background,
education or color.
Description: This project aims to teach
children and young people good ethics,
attitudes and behavior. It concentrates on the
idea of all is one, and how to respect and
accept the others no matter they are different.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mary K. Rizkallah
89 El-Montaza St., Heliopolis Apt7
Cairo, Egypt
159
dialogues, and traveling to discover new
cultures.
(202) 27972308
(202) 26373389
(202) 010-643-7333
smilemary3@yahoo.com
Description: We are a group of youth from
different countries (Gulf, Jordan ,and Egypt )
we work together to promote peace in the
Middle East. We participated in a lot of youth
conferences such as the euro med programs,
most of our members are active in their
communities. We organize youth conferences,
conduct capacity building training courses to
improve our members’ skills, we participate in
discussion forums to promote our ideas.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Hesham Ashour
Al-Ahram Newspaper
3 Eid Nafea St., El-Malek El-Saleh, Giza
Cairo, Egypt
(202) 358-73-495
(202) 012-391-7663
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mostafa F. Rodwan
48 Felipe Jalad Street-Victoria
Alexandria Egypt
(20) 104-036-857
mostafa2008@gmail.com
PlanetPlanet- E CC
Purpose: Planet E(earth) is named after a
new earth we want to create, one that enjoys
peace by giving the chance for groups of
youngsters from different cultures and
religions to be together in activities that bring
more communication and understanding as a
step for acceptance and friendship that lead
to cooperation creating this new/old Planet- E
(earth).
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lina Issam
Amman
Jordan
(962) 795-820-035
essamlina@hotmail.com
Description: Planet E. CC promotes interfaith
dialogue on local and international levels. Our
past activities have included visiting orphan
houses to present toys, books and sweets.
For the future, we plan to support religious
harmony through making kids happy
(especially orphans) and through the Arts (as
a method of communication and a way of
understanding).
Sohag Community Development
Development
(SCDA) CC
Purpose: To find a better future through
improving the community's conditions.
Description: SNA seeks to improve the
quality of life and find a better future for the
local community through comprehensive
development. The small Muslim community in
the city of Sohag is in daily cooperation with
the majority of Coptic Christians in this City.
Therefore, we can say we have experienced
countless interfaith encounters between
Muslims and Christians. To highlight one
particular experience, once we arranged
Ramadani Iftar (Feast) attended by Christian
and Muslim friends, and after we had our food
we spontaneously started to talk about fasting
in Islam and Christianity. It was great
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Yasser A. Gawab
1001 Project
Cairo Egypt
(20) 101-144-602
yasser@gawab.com
S.A.W.A.
Purpose: To build bridges between people
whom came from different faiths, cultures and
backgrounds through discussion forums,
160
group of co-workers, this festival of intercultural
exchange and manifestation shows the people
of the Mediterranean that we share more than a
beach, and Alexandria (Egypt) is the focal point
in the region in supporting such diversity of
nationalities with diverse religion & culture.
After Alexandria Church Bombing – Jan 2011
(New Year’s Eve): Hearing the news of the
bombing, the exchange of phone calls and
emails to convey condolences and sympathy
between us - Muslim youth with our Christian
friends in Alexandria was an overwhelming
experience. The first Friday after the bombing
we went to the site together Muslims &
Christians and lighted candles and prayed for
the souls of the people who were died in such
a horrible terrorist attack. We knew that united
we must stand and divided we shall fall. It was
a tragic attack from an extremist yet it brought
Muslims and Christians closer together to
overcome such tragedy and to show that we
are against such a brutal religious Intolerance.
experience. The atmosphere was unique, and
we felt how close we are. We've had similiar
experiences since this and this has really
urged us to enhance the spiritual relationship
between Muslim and Christian in the City of
Sohag.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rasha M. Hassan
Sohag Community Development and Caring
the children with Special Needs Association
Sohag El emary St, building 44 entrance A,B
Sohag Egypt
(20) 12-410-4829
kety_m_kamal@yahoo.com
Sustainable Development Circle
Purpose: To encourage dialogue and support
peace.
Description
Description:
scription Sustainable Development
Association facilitates dialogue between
different cultures once they are in a youth
exchange together abroad. We have many
stories, some of them reflecting the very hard
stereotypes that we are living in.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sherine M. Ahmed
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Conference Centre,
3rd Floor - Anna Lindh Foundation
P.O.Box 732, El Mansheya
Alexandria
21111 Egypt
(203) 4820342 Ext 5003
(203) 0103739289
smorad09@gmail.com
Primary Contact
Contact:
Abdallah Hendawy
Number 5., Mustafa Morsi Street, Sporting
Alexandria Egypt
(20) 123-717671
ahendawy@uri.org
www.sda-web.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Muhammed M. Abushaqara
P.O. Box 138 Chatby
Alexandria
21526 Egypt
(203) 487-9951/52
(002) 012-770-5517
doom.doomy86@gmail.com
The Diversity of Becoming One
Purpose: Our purpose is to create a better
future by showing the world that diversity
unites us and does not divide us. We should
work on finding and embracing common
values and similarities between all individuals
rather than differences.
Tolerance CC
Purpose: To spread tolerance. We are
working to set up dialogues based on
accepting the others no matter where they are
from or what they believe in. Setting up
Description: We participated in the Annual
organization of Farah Al Bahr Festival at the
Citadel of Alexandria. Being part of a diverse
161
dialogue will help us understand more about
others, bearing in mind that life is made up of
differences, and we can't exist unless we coexist. The more we talk about ourselves, the
more the others understand us. We can make
any progress unless a dialogue is always set
up. That's why it is so urgent that talking begin
everywhere, all the time. In order to bring
about change we have to be that change. We
cannot change unless we talk to each other,
know about each other's pains, problems and
aspirations. In order to bring hope to new
generations we need to work hard on
spreading tolerance and the culture of peace.
IRAQ
Iraq
Iraq Youth for Dialogue and
Coexistence
Purpose: To create a common platform for
Iraqi Youths to interact, communicate, and
develop dialogue skills in areas related to
interfaith. To spread awareness among all
Iraqi youths on pluralism, democratic rule,
interfaith dialogue, transparency, human
rights' education, gender equality through
workshops, multimedia tools, and advocacy
campaigns. To gather Iraqi, Arab, and Middle
Eastern youths from all sects, religions,
ethnics, and non-partisan groups to discuss
and solve cultural and religious clashes. To
train young activists on leadership,
intercultural, conflict resolution, and peace
building in an attempt to help them become
initiators in his or her own community.
Description: We are planning to establish an
online magazine that focuses on tolerance
and accepting others by highlighting great
figures that support the idea of tolerance,
such as Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King,
Gandhi, Mohammed Younis, and Oprah
Winfrey.
Description: In an attempt to encourage Iraqi
youths to engage together in non-violent
education, peace building, intercultural and
interfaith dialogue, and human rights
education this CC came to be a dream to be
achieved by joining the URI family globally and
in MENA region in specific. The founding
members of this CC believe that joining the
URI will help us be involved more with other
CCs carrying same values and share and
discuss our ideas and projects. URI is such a
place and spirit to learn a lot from all the
members and that is a real experienced that I
had in my participation in URI MENA
conference 2009 in Madaba, Jordan. I wish
that after joining URI, I will be able to
elaborate and enhance my work with youths in
Iraq to achieve and spread the values and
themes of URI in Iraq and the MENA region in
coordination with other MENA CCs. We value
all URI PPPs and charter and we promise to
work under the URI umbrella in our aims and
projects. Our activities are focused in:
Providing opportunities for youths to interact,
learn, and develop their skills necessary to
contribute to the general well being of youth
at national level, Educating and encouraging
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sherif A. Rizk
27 Ahmed Moustafa Nadim off Khalafawy off
Shoubra Street, Apt. 2
Cairo 2241 Egypt
(20) 123-573-591
(20) 227-976-866
herifaq@gmail.com/izqasd@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Georgette B. Beshay
Saad Hanna Son's Co., Apt. 2
Cairo
11631 Egypt
(20) 226-335-109
(20) 2-263-35107
(20) 165523914
gboushra_b@yahoo.com
162
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Saja S. Abdeli
Shmesani, Yousef ben Tashfeen Street
Apartment: 36
Amman
11194 Jordan
(962) 65693613
(962) 785915778
saja.abdeli@yahoo.com
youths to pursue and practice their heritage,
language and culture, Empowering Iraqi
youths by promoting peer participation in
community organizations and civic structures.
http://www.yfc.tigweb.org/who/
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Essam A. Mohsen
Al Nahreen University, Faculty of Political
Science, Strategic Studies Department.
Apartment: Al Jadrie St.
Baghdad Iraq
(964) 152-133-25
(964) 790-146-3837
i_iessam@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mazin Al-Yasery
Baghdad
Iraq
(964) 901221307
mazin983@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ahmed A. Mohammed Salih
Iraq-sulamanyah- shorshst.101 Q : 33 B: 14
Apartment 14, Sulamanyah
Baghdad
964 Iraq
(964) 075-0117-0636
(964) 077-0141-9707
(964) 077-0141-9707
i_iessam@yahoo.com
ISRAEL
The Abrahamic Reunion CC
Purpose: To bring healing and reconciliation
between the Children of Abraham in the Holy
Land. We intend to bring the voice of the
religious leaders of Jewish, Christian, Muslim
and Druze communities to be heard as a force
for rebuilding trust between our religious
communities. We also travel as a group to
different parts of the world to give public
forums, giving hope that peace in the Holy
Land is possible.
Voices from Iraq
Purpose: Our purpose is to shed light on
what is happening on the ground in Iraq. We
are eager to share the fears, dreams,
challenges that Iraqi youth, women, refugees,
and children are facing with the whole world.
to show how destructive the war is. We also
aim to enhance the life of Iraqi people inside
and outside Iraq.
Description: The Abrahamic Reunion
Cooperation Circle was originally formed from
an informal network of spiritual peacemakers
who journeyed together to the Parliament of
the World's Religions in Barcelona in July
2005, and who held a founding retreat in
Istanbul in September 2006. Since then, the
AR has held over a dozen interfaith events in
towns and villages across Israel. A typical
event includes an interfaith dinner, discourse
and prayer, and a public walk together
through the town. The group also supports
interfaith social projects such as emergency
relief for people affected by violence, and a
variety of interfaith projects spearheaded by
individual members.
Description: We meet frequently to develop
projects that help Iraqi people in Iraq and Iraqi
refugees outside Iraq. We wrote several
articles/ studies on: The suffering of Iraqi
refugees, Drugs in Iraq, Empirical study on the
increased number of cancer patient in Iraq as
a result of war, The difficulties Iraqi refugees
are facing in finding jobs and integrating in
hosting countries. We manage a facebook
group to support Iraqi refugees in Jordan. We
manage a website (www.jaleyat.com)
163
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Andrea Blanch
520 Ralph Street
SarasotaFL
34242 United States
(1) 941-312-9795
akblanch@aol.com
www.c-r-t.org
Heartbeat: Jerusalem
Purpose: To foster dialogue and peaceful
coexistence between Palestinian and Israeli
youth using music as a primary tool.
Description: Developing relationships with
Palestinian and Israeli musicians and music
educators determined to make a positive
difference in the region. Heartbeat: Jerusalem
was conceived by Aaron Shneyer, winner of
the 2007 Fulbright/MTVu Fellowship, as a
study project creating a musical dialogue
coexistence group taking place in Jerusalem
from November 2007 to June 2008.
However, this is only the initial term of the
project and we intend to develop it into a nonprofit organization and annual endeavor.
Secondary
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Eliyahu McLean
26 alef Harlap St. Jerusalem
P.O.Box 31894
91316 Jerusalem
Israel
eliyahu@jerusalempeacemakers.org
Green Prophet CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Aaron Shneyer
PO Box 28403
Jerusalem 91280 Israel
aaron@heartbeatjerusalem.org
Purpose: To report on environment news in
the Middle East, while being mindful to
cultural and religious sensitivities in the
dialogue for a healthy environment and Middle
East peace.
Description: GreenProphet.com is a Middle
Eastern environmental news site that focuses
on green stories and living tips. We believe
that as ecological issues have no boundaries,
there must be a forum for green leaders in the
region to come together online.
Jerusalem Peacemakers CC
Purpose: Our purpose is peace building and
working towards reconciliation in the Holy
Land and reclaiming the religious voice as a
positive force for reconciliation in the region.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Karin Ann Kloosterman
PO Box 3602
Tel Aviv
61036 Israel
karin.kloosterman@gmail.com
www.greenprophet.com
Description: We’ve facilitated the birth of the
Abrahamic Reunion, a group of spiritual
leaders to gather to educate and empower
each other and their communities about multifaith peace building; we built a website
identifying, highlighting, and supporting the
work of religious peacemakers in the Holy
Land; we have established peace centers of
east and west Jerusalem.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jack Reichert
Israel
jack@greenprophet.com
www.greenprophet.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Abdul A. Bukhari
58 Via Dolorosa Road
nr Al-Ghawanmeh Gate
Old City, Jerusalem Israel
(972) 2-628-0563
164
Description: We live in a local community
where there is often violence based on
mistrust and fear between the different
religious groups. We see that women can
meet together to learn about religions
within our community and create harmony
together and have a positive influence on
our families and larger social circles. We
have held regular meetings for four years
in different religious groups to get to know
each other and our customs so as to
support women to create calm and
harmony between religious groups in our
community. Recently we held a large
meeting with deep discussion about our
religious holidays – sharing customs and
rituals. We hold regular meetings with
Jewish women’s groups from other
communities to strengthen connections
between women in our local region and
country - from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem -and to learn more about other religions. In
May we will hold a meeting for the
membership to create new programs and
more ways to bring our communities
together. We are a program within the
Daliat Ha Carmel Community Center and
therefore are part of the Israeli National
Community Center system and have
access to meet regularly with the twenty
other Arab community centers, and the
many Jewish community centers. We
meet with them regularly to discuss coexistence.
Khoyoot CC
Purpose: To create a network between the
different faith groups.
Description: We are 16 members who meet
once a month. So far we have arranged a
mother’s day party, father’s day party, youth
summer camp, voluntary work and community
service, interfaith visits (meeting people from
different faiths in our village), and hosting
foreigners from different faiths at our houses.
We want to make everything good and very
special with Eilaboun (our village) people
Christian and Muslims and especially for the
future of our children and our village. We
believe in doing… not only talking .So if
people see our continuous doing and giving
for all people in the village they would like to
take part and do such a thing.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Randa F. Zriek-Sabbagh
P.O.B. 132
Eilaboun Village
16972 Israel
(972) 467-81-954
(972) 527-47-3308
randazriek@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Weaam G. Sabbagh
P.O.B. 662
Eilaboun
16972 Israel
(972) 467-89-780
(972) 526-997-185
weaam.gs@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Siham Halabi
Daliat Ha Carmel
Israel
(972) 483-957-07
(972) 483-960-43
(972) 52-4267-228
siham100@walla.co.il
MADA (Horizon)
Purpose: For women to bring their hearts
together, to create peace locally within our
community and our religions, to strengthen
women religiously and create cooperation
among the religions in our local community.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Anaam Abu Isla
POB 2229
Daliat Ha Carmel
Israel
(972) 483-953-48
165
in, or facilitating, a 7 day intensive Jam, and
are interested in carrying this work forward in
the MENA region. The MENA Jam is not a
conference, seminar or a typical meeting. It is
a gathering for three different levels of
conversation about change: the internal (self),
the interpersonal (relationships) and the
systemic (the whole). The MENA Jam creates
a unique space for deep listening, sharing,
self-discovery, systemic inquiry and
community building. It allows for authentic
dialogue about each participant's struggles
and dreams, and about the challenges and
opportunities facing the region through the
eyes of individual stories and experiences. By
starting from the member's very human
journeys, the gathering is able to avoid the
kind of heady political posturing that so often
destroys cross-cultural dialogues in the
region. Relationships built at the MENA Jam
are real and profound, and creates a fractal of
possibility for healing and reconciliation in a
region of extraordinary cultural and spiritual
import to the future of our world.
MENA JAM (Middle East & North Africa
Youth Leadership Jam)
Purpose: The main objective of the CC is to
create a platform for MENA Jam alumni to
continue interconnecting and networking,
taking tools and experiences from the
gathering and bringing them into their daily
lives. We also want to support our members
in organizing more Jams and other
transformational gatherings in their regions
and communities. The MENA Jam CC will
help members: -Continue to create a sacred
space for learning and exchange of active
young change-makers from the region after
their participation in a MENA Jam. - Further
exchange information about diverse peace,
justice, ecological, educational and human
rights movements in the Middle East and
North Africa. - Give space for MENA Jam
alumni for self reflection, self transformation,
and cultivating our connection with the one
another and alumni from different years. Build more bridges and understand more
deeply the interconnections between the
issues we are working on, the problems faced
in the various communities represented, and
how we can join the efforts in creating a
better reality for young change-makers in the
region. - Support members in organizing Jams
and other transformational gatherings in their
regions, and in participant outreach for future
MENA Jams.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ilana S. Meallem
Benyamin Metudela St., Apt. 27/4
Jerusalem 92305 Israel
(972) 2- 567- 0998
(972) 508-737-911
ilanameallem@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Yasser R. Adel
24 Sakalia street, from Makram Ebaid, 6th
Zone, Nasr City, Apt. 6
Cairo
11371 Egypt
(20) 10-11-44-602
y_adel@hotmail.com
Description: The Middle East & North Africa
Youth Leadership Jam (MENA Jam) CC is a
network of diverse young and enthusiastic
change-makers who are engaged and
committed leaders from across the MENA
region (including: Palestine, Egypt, Jordan,
Israel, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia,
Lebanon, Algeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India
and Iraq) active in movements for
sustainability, peace, interfaith dialogue,
environment, human rights, women's rights,
social justice, refugee support, trauma
recovery, and related causes. All members of
the MENA Jam CC have shared the same
deep and powerful experience of participating
m epeace.org - network for peace
Purpose: Our purpose is a network for
peace.
Description: MEPEACE is fostering a
growing movement of peacemakers. Our
166
emphasis on music production, performances,
composing, etc.. The cc will build on the
expertise and knowledge its members
possess. The Musaique group will meet three
times a year in different MENA region
countries. Each meeting will be held for three
days. The first day will typically be orientation
and presentations by the participants, and
introduction to the songs/music pieces to be
played during the meeting. The second day
will include rehearsals and practice between
the group members, preparing for the last day.
Day three will include studio recording of the
music pieces/songs prepared in day one and
two. The same process will be repeated three
times a year. Once the group has enough
songs and music pieces, there will be
production of a CD compiling all the tracks
recorded during the year. The CD(s) will serve
multiple purposes: spread the message of
Musaique, and bring financial contribution to
URI. The meetings will include educational
components on religions and faiths, music
and music production, and culture, through
showing videos, and inviting speakers and
teachers in various areas of interest and
relevance. We will to work with local
communities around the region to teach and
learn from each other and to bring our music
in to places where people need faith and love.
peacemakers, from 200 countries, are
committed to realizing peace in the Middle
East. Our community is active online and on
the ground. Online, our web platform enables
individuals and organizations to share and find
information. On the ground, we create
community-building
encounters,
provide
activist leadership training, and offer
technology consulting to other peace
organizations. We’ve
been
called
the
“Facebook of Peace”. There are thousands of
peacemakers involved in mepeace.org in
programs such as ‘Peace Talks’, Peace Cafes
International MEPEACE.org: Making Things
Possible
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Eyal Raviv
P.O.Box 65179
Tel Aviv 61651 Israel
(972) 52-688-2828
eyal@mepeace.org
mepeace.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lemuel Melamed
P.O.Box 1199
Jerusalem
94224 Israel
(972) 52-784-5584
lemuel1983@gmail.com
mepeace.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lee Ziv
20 Amnon ve Tamar Str., Apartment 8
Herzelia
46417 Israel
(972) 547-879-3551
(972) 507-245-050
leeluziv@gmail.com
Musaique CC
Purpose:
Purpose: To bring together on a regular
basis, musicians amateurs and professionals
from all over the MENA region, with the
objective to establish a better understanding
of each other's culture, religion, and traditions.
The main purpose is to revolve around music
creation as a means to bring people from
different faiths and backgrounds together
under the umbrella of music production.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jamil A. Sarraj
Shmesani Abu Jandal Street, Apt. 12
Amman
1467 Jordan
(962) 656-03-031
(962) 65-539-406
(962) 79-5429-557
jsarraj@aol.com
Description:
Description: We dream opening people’s
hearts and minds using music as the vehicle.
The founding members come from various
backgrounds and walks of life, with main
167
teacher from El Zeitoun into the Occupied
West Bank for weekly teacher trainings.
Our highlights are: 1.The development of our
Friendship Bridge program with Arab
students from El Zeitoun and Jewish students
from the Waldorf schools in the
Galilee.2.Funding a high caliber High School
Peace Leadership Program in the Galilee
where Jewish and Arab students learned
communication skills while working together
producing plays while using their theatre
classes for matriculation into
university.3.Funding and coordinating a
national lecture tour in the U.S. with a Jewish
Waldorf teacher and Arab Waldorf teacher
from Israel.4.Bringing Muslim Palestinian
teachers and doctors from the Occupied
West Bank into Jewish educational
communities in Israel to study Waldorf
methods of peace education.
Music of the Soul CC
Purpose: To use music (but also other
performing arts) with connection to religion, to
create understanding and unity for people
from different cultures.
Description: We are raising money for a
musical ensemble in which Jews and Arabs in
Israel will play religious music together. We
want to realize the purpose of the URI through
art and especially music. We believe that
music helps to bridge differences between
cultures and beliefs.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Yoav Frankel
P.O. Box 3814
Jerusalem 91037 Israel
yoavfr@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Tally Bat AmiZahor
Haggome St. 40
Kiryat Tivon Israel
(972) 4-953-0286
batami60@gmail.com
www.SSEFoundation.org
Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation
Purpose: To promote innovative educational
methods and conflict resolution training aimed
at nurturing the minds and souls of Jewish,
Christian, Muslim and Druze children in the
Middle East living under chronic stress of
regional conflict..
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Shepha Schneirsohn Vainstein
P.O. Box 1614, Agoura Hills
29476 Lake Vista Drive
Agoura
91301 United States
(1) 818-707-2164
(1) 818-707-1837
shepha@ssefoundation.org
Description: 1. We currently support
development of Ein Bustan kindergarten into
an integrated Jewish/Arab Waldorf grade
school and the ongoing growth of El Zeitoun,
the first Arab Waldorf school in Israel.2. As
Arab Waldorf schools grow in Israel we aspire
to support The Friendship Bridge program
between Jewish and Arab students to cover
grades 1 -8 in Israeli Waldorf schools.3. As
El Zeitoun continues in its growth we aspire
to support the first fully integrated Path to
Peace High School in Israel that includes
students from Harduf Waldorf School and El
Zeitoun Waldorf school.4. We are currently in
our second phase of teacher training in the
Occupied West Bank which involves sending
a master Waldorf teacher and a kindergarten
The Hope Flowers School
Purpose: To educate a new generation on
peace and democracy so that we find and
strengthen positive attitudes for peaceful
coexistence among different nations as the
basis of equality and justice.
Description: Our CC group formed through
the common activities we do together through
168
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Elad Vazana
Jaffa
Israel
(972) 542-497-009
elad@havayati.co.il
the Hope Flowers School. Through the
School we have been bringing people
together from different places, faiths,
nationalities and from different cultures to
work together on issues of joint interest and
to unite in one culture of peace, justice and
equality. We are looking to make real URI's
purpose and principles by doing our best
efforts to promote these principals in our
community and in every aspect of our work.
Hope Flowers School offers inter and intra
cultural understanding classes taught by both
Christian and Muslim teachers, long-standing
programs of bridge-building with Israelis,
peace education and joint activities with
schools outside of Palestine. Please refer to
our web site for further information on our
unique programs: http://ww.hope-flowers.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gaby Meyer
15 Yam Suf St.
Jaffa 68059 Israel
(972) 54-464-2343
gabriel@sulha.com
http://sulha.com
The Voices of Peace
Purpose: To spread a message of peace,
tolerance and acceptance by performing
songs in Hebrew, Arabic and English for
diverse audiences in Israel and around the
world.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ghada Issa
P. O. Box 732
Bethlehem, West Bank (Via Israel) Israel
(972) 2-274-0693
hopeflowers@palnet.com
Description: The Voices of Peace choir
spreads a message of peace, tolerance,
acceptance and respect by performing songs
in Hebrew, Arabic and English for diverse
audiences in Israel and around the world. The
choir meets for weekly rehearsals, and during
the various holidays we spend time at
members' homes to learn about the customs
and traditions of the Jewish, Muslim and
Christian religions. We believe that music and
songs can be moving and inspirational and
can also bring people together. Through
music, we hope to bring people from diverse
backgrounds together and encourage
dialogue through a mutual belief in peace,
understanding and tolerance.
The SULHA Peace Project Cooperation
Circle
Purpose: To provide a group for the healing
and reconciliation of the children of Abraham
through developing a culture of coexistence
between Arabs (Muslims, Christians, and
Druze) and Jews.
Description: The Sulha Peace Project, a
grassroots organization, inspired by the
indigenous process of mediation (Sulha), aims
to rebuild trust, restore dignity and move
beyond the political agenda. Working primarily
on the grassroots level, we are preparing
people for peace from ""bottom-up"" and
complementing peacemaking efforts that are
undertaken at the governmental and
diplomatic level.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Idan Toledano
109 Kedem Street
Jaffa 68051 Israel
(972) 350-80-929
(972) 3-508-0898
idantole@gmail.com
www.thevoicesofpeace.com
169
Description: We operate on two levels:
the first is to educate Arab women to be
community leaders, and the second is to
hold monthly interfaith meeting of women
of the four religions. In March we held an
event for Women’s Month with 300
women attending, with participation of
community leaders, music, and featuring
exceptional women as role models. In the
summer for the graduation ceremony of
our home-based businesses course, we
had 150 women attending with leaders of
women’s organizations and featuring the
arts and handicrafts that the women
students created and sold. In summer we
held a TeenTalk program for young
women from our community paired with
young women in Jerusalem from TRUST –
Emun with meetings at centers in both
cities to discuss religious issues relevant
to young women with a woman rabbi and
a sheikya. One week ago we held a URI
reception for Rev. Charles Gibbs with 30
people Muslim, Christian, and Jewish from
many nearby towns to honor him and to
learn more about URI.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ibrahim Abu Shindi
109 Kedem Street
Jaffa
68051 Israel
(972) 350-80-929
(972) 3-508-0898
ajcc@netvision.net.il
www.thevoicesofpeace.com
Trust WIN
Purpose: To build trust and understanding
among Israeli and Palestinian women Muslim, Christian, and Jewish -- through
meeting in each other's homes, visiting each
others communities and performing service
projects together, visiting each other's holy
places.
Description: Bringing together Israeli and
Palestinian women - Christian, Jewish, and
Muslim - to empower each other, learn about
each other's religions, visit each other's
homes and communities, and build a better
future for our children.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ibtisam Mahamid
POB 1806
Fureidis 30898 Israel
(972) 547-433-956
(972) 463-971-39
m_ibtisam@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Michelle Katz
Mishol Hakitron 8
Ramot Israel
(972) 2-587-9635
mkatz515@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Hitam Hasadia
POB 1049
Furedis
Israel
(972) 547-360-046
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rula Salameh
POB 38881
East Jerusalem
Israel
(972) 54-547-3175
rula@justvision.org
Women Reborn
Women's Interfaith Network of the
Middle East and N. Africa
Purpose: To provide an opportunity for Arab
women (Muslim, Christian, and Druze) to
become leaders in their communities.
Purpose: Our purpose is: 1) to learn
together and share information about our
religions, traditions, and customs in order to
170
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Heiam Hammad
Amman Jordan
(962) 795-145-997
heiamm@hotmail.com
dispel stereotypes, avoid prejudice and
mistrust, create sisterhood and 2) to act
together effectively to enhance the
cooperation and respect between religions in
our region.
Description: WIN MENA CC was formed by
Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Egyptian, Israeli,
Jordanian, Palestinian, Tunisian women at the
2003 MENA Conference, with the goal of
creating interfaith women's solidarity and the
opportunity to pursue joint activities. We
regularly meet in conjunction with the annual
MENA Region Conferences in Jordan. In the
past, we held a three day Women's Interfaith
Leadership Workshop in Amman. We focus
on promoting interfaith understanding and
solidarity among women of the Abrahamic
religions in our region.
Iris Women CC
Purpose: To mobilize women for their rights
and social leadership for a positive change in
society and peace building.
Description: The Black Iris of Jordan, a
flower unique to our country, is a symbol of
growth and renewal. We have chosen the
black iris to represent our values: Innovation,
Respect, Inspiration, Social Services. Our
most memorable activities, hopes and plans
for the future focus on promoting the rights of
women on a national & international level by
providing them with a strong voice. This voice
shall be achieved through the formation of
committees where educated females learn
how to train and hold workshops for less
educated women regarding human rights,
issues of gender and problem solving. We
also aim to strengthen women's self-groups
through capacity building, to help youth to
maximize their potentials by networking and
helping each other to grow personally and
professionally, to build a strong membership
base of women from different walks of life, to
show appreciation to elders by raising the
awareness of local people in order to
encourage their participation in community
building and improving the quality of life, and
to create an ethos that is based of social
justice, self-reliance, gender equality, and
good governance.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Elana Rozenman
15 Naomi Street
Jerusalem 93552 Israel
(972) 267-496-698
(972) 2-672-9317
(972) 522-861-779
erozenman@bezeqint.net
www.trust-emun.org
JORDAN
Humanity Group
Purpose: To live together in peace and
harmony, loving each another.
Description: We conducted several
workshops on the following
themes:World Peace, Peace in Islam,
Peace in Christianity.We hold debates
(discussion groups) about our
personal experiences of a world of
love and friendship.We are working
on a project entitled ' lets love
together and live together'. Our goal is
to achieve what our predecessors
were not able to achieve
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Amenah Dharagmeh
Amman Jordan
(962) 777-955-195
amoneh_fm_2000@yahoo.com
171
Jadara Interfaith Action CC
CC
Jordan Seeds of Peace CC
Purpose: To bring peace to our region
through facilitating inter-religious dialogue
and understanding, and by taking actions and
initiatives which bring people from different
religions closer together.
Purpose: To spread the idea of peace in the
world, in our families, friends, and the region.
Description: All of our members are
voluntarily working for Seeds of Peace
organization programs as delegation leaders.
Seeds of Peace (SOP) are an American NGO
dedicated to empowering young leaders from
regions of conflict with the leadership skills
required to advance reconciliation and
coexistence. For further in information please
visit: www.seedsofpeace.org. Our Activities:
1- Interfaith gatherings (to enhance the
dialogue among Arab and Israelis). 2Capacity building (we organize workshops on
Dialogue, Handling difficult situations,
Effective
Communication
Skills,
Team
Buildings...etc, our target group is School
student and School teachers)
Description: In the part, we've taken part in
activities held by Jordan Interfaith Action CC
at Theodor Schneller School for the less
advantaged, implementing a set of exercies to
promote peace through sports. Now Jadara
Interfaith Action CC will be the first of its kind
working in the north of Jordan. We are
planning to hold several activities such as
seminars, workshops, and conferences to
promote interfaith and religious dialogue
among local communities, whom we target
because they are agents of effective change
in the society.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Omar Tayeh
The Jubilee School/King Hussein Foundation
P.O. Box 830578
Amman
11183 Jordan
(962) 6-420-7973
(962) 79-577-6330
otayeh@yahoo.com
www.seedsofpeace.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Amer B. Amer
(962) 79-591-1121
g.director@hayatcenter.org
Jordan Interfaith Action CC
Purpose: To build bridges between youth in
Jordan with youth from outside Jordan. Also
to spread interfaith dialogue principles among
Jordanian youth.
Jordanian Association for Orphans &
Widows Care
Description: Jordan Interfaith Action CC is
the dialogue unit at the Youth Spirit Center
"YSC."
Purpose: To empower women in the province
of Mafraq particularly the villages around the
city of Mafaraq and other rural communities,
and to take care of the orphans and widows in
these areas.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Anas Al-Abbadi
Raymond St. 3518
Chevy Chase MD 20815 United States
(1) 301-652-7642 / (1) 240-271-6988
anas.a@jordaninterfaith.org
Description: This CC is a group of ladies
who help their community by empowering
women through socio-economic and cultural
development, helping widows to start and
build their own business to increase their
skills to be active in the economy, enhancing
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Waleed Zude
waleed.z@jordaninterfaith.org
172
(962) 795-545-574
kshorman@nets.com.jo
the self-reliance and integrity and the
productivity of women, securing job
opportunities for poor and needy women, and
encouraging women to be creative and take
the initiative.
Mercy CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Nancy Momany
P.O. Box Amman
182 Jordan
(962) 6- 535-5275
(962) 79-575-1032
momanynancy@hotmail.com
Purpose: To show solidarity with less
fortunate people and empower them through
non-formal education, vocational training, and
recreation activities, thus preparing them for
better future.
Description: We are group of adults and
youth that share same goals and aspirations.
We are dedicated to relieving human
suffering, developing community and
volunteer work to make our world a better
place. We are willing to stand by the less
fortunate youth and empower them through
non-formal education, vocational training and
creating hope for better future. We serve
youth with the spirit of mutual respect despite
the race, social class and beliefs. Our past
activities include a football game competition
for over 100 youth of all different ages and an
Easter Egg Competition for school children to
improve their painting talent, which we
arranged at Schniller School with the help of
volunteers.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Fozeh Al-Shdefat
(962) 79-668-5924
f.shdefat@yahoo.com
Masar CC
Purpose:
Purpose: To introduce interfaith dialogue to
the Jordanian community and utilize our
regional networks to create understanding
and communication between Muslims,
Christians, and Jews in the region. To focus
on youth and their active involvement in this
regard since we have active youth networks.
Description: We are an organization
composed of mainly youth and we work in the
fields of peace, co-existence and dialogue
between Jews and Arabs. We believe that
religion can play a constructive role in
creating communication and understanding
among different peoples of the Middle East.
We took part in the URI international
conference held in Jordan in September
2003, and since then we have held many
smaller meetings for Jordanian members of
our network. We organize meetings both for
Jordanians and other activists to build on their
current projects and initiatives.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Haitham Nassar
Box 183872
Amman
11113 Jordan
haithamdmr@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Samir Shahatit
Box 183872
Amman
11113 Jordan
(962) 79-513-6586
shahatitsa@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Khaled Shorman
Sweifieh, P.O. Box 850481
Amman
11185 Jordan
173
Naya CC
One Maghreb Cooperation Circle "
OMCC"
Purpose: As diverse group, we aim to bridge
the gap between people from different
religions not only in Jordan but in the whole
world in order to eliminate stereotypes,
provide a clear overall image of the peaceful
world we all deserve to live in, and to
celebrate our similarities. We will work on the
following challenges: Spread religious
tolerance. Help the needy and less fortunate
families. Promote women empowerment.
Support marginalized youth and socially
trouble people.
Purpose: To work together for more
understanding between all the religions and to
look for commonalities to be able to
collaborate between us for our persons and
for our communities.
Description: We started the association in
our neighborhood seven years ago . We have
done a lot things we never dreamt we could
do. We have created a sport area and a cyber
coffee in a wagon of train. It was the first time
an association can use a wagon of train in a
district in the middle of the city and everyone
can use internet in this wagon to connect with
other people.
Description:
Description On individual level, our group
members have been actively engaged in
interfaith, coexistence, and community service.
Since our members come from different
religious traditions, believe in freedom of
belief, and share the same humanitarian
interest, we decided to organize our work by
establishing our group that will enhance the
cooperation between the followers of different
faiths; therefore, we held few planning
meetings last year. In December 2009, a
delegate has met Mr.Khreisat and URI GT
Tareq Tamimi who had introduced URI and
answered our questions. We are currently
working on attracting more interested people,
and contacting more NGOs (Nongovernmental organization) and local
companies, in order to achieve enough fund
and logistic support . Examples of our
activities: helping Iraqi refugee to integrate in
Irbid society; collecting economic support for
18 orphans in Irbid (north of Jordan) where
our CC is located; and empowering women
who suffer from domestic violence (we have
expert social counselors in our group).
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Dina Lahlou
P.O. Box 182185
Amman
11181 Jordan
(962) 777-991-771
dinalahlou@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Younes Naoumi
P.O. Box 182185
Amman
11181 Jordan
(962) 777-991-771
dinalahlou@hotmail.com
Quested Peace
Pea ce CC
Purpose: To promote understanding and
cooperation between people of different
cultures and religious traditions and to help
our local community.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Morad Jarah
(962) 788-024-039
skydiverstill@gmail.com
nayacc.blogspot.com
Description: The story began in May 2001,
when a group of vibrant youth established a
youth initiative at The University of Jordan
Alumni Club to improve graduates' lives and
professional skills and help our local
community. In the wake of the World Trade
174
Description: We have conducted many
activities to help orphans and less fortunate
children live better life, we organized several
training, educational and entertainment
activities for them. Moreover, one of our
members, Suzan Dababneh, is already active
URI member in Jordan and she invited us to
several activities organized by URI office in
Jordan. We intend to start our awareness
campaigns & training programs to promote
our goals, in addition to enlarge our circle &
make our voice reach to every one who
believes that the world needs to become a
better place , with more understanding &
cooperation between people from different
cultures & faiths.
Center tragedy and its global repercussions, a
new mission emerged - how can we combat
the growing cultural misconceptions and
stereotypes among nations? We believe that
to achieve real peace, we should establish
cooperation between governments, NGO's
and people. This cooperation should be
based on religious tolerance, respect, and
intercultural understanding. Therefore, we
established Quested Peace in June 2003 as a
non-profit group, locally rooted in our
traditions and committed to helping our
community and connecting our endeavors
globally for the creation of a more peaceful
world. Quested Peace supports the purpose
and principles of URI. In January 2004,
Quested Peace joined URI as a Cooperation
Circle. Our activities include: voluntary work
and community service, capacity building,
local and global interfaith dialogue,
intercultural exchanges, social and
recreational activities, and networking.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Heba Sharsheer
P.O. Box 840581
Amman
11181 Jordan
cute2999@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mamoun Khreisat
P.O. Box 7693
Abdali-Parliament Street
Amman
11118 Jordan
(962) 6-500-5642
(962) 79-566-4141
mkhreisat@uri.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Suzan Dababneh
P.O. Box 1128
Amman
11181 Jordan
sd23370@yahoo.com
LEBANON
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Safaa Abu Tarha
P.O. Box 7693
Abdali-Parliament Street
Amman
11118 Jordan
safaa1980@yahoo.com
Lebanese Interfaith Initiative
Purpose: To create a common platform for
Lebanese Youths to interact, communicate
and develope dialogue skills in areas related
to interfaith. To spread awareness among all
Lebanese youths on pluralism, democratic
rule, interfaith dialogue, transparency, human
rights' education, gender equality through
workshops, multimedia tools, and advocacy
campaigns. To gather Lebanese, Arab, and
Middle Eastern youths from all sects,
religions, ethnics, and non-partisan groups to
discuss and solve cultural and religious
clashes. To train young activists on
Save Our Souls
Purpose: To find better methods to serve the
children and provide help to children
regardless of religious affiliation.
175
leadership, intercultural, conflict resolution,
peace building in an attempt to help them
become initiators, each in his/her own
community. To advocate human rights
education as the first and essential guarantee
for transition toward full democratic Middle
Eastern societies.
MOROCCO
Salam Shabab CC
Purpose: To work together on a group of
initiatives, share our experience with young
people in the Arab work, participate in a
research group, all on the theme of culture of
peace and tolerance.
Description: We like to show our readiness
to act and work in accordance with the
Preamble, Purpose and Principles of the URI
through planning and implementing events
and projects that serve the humanitarian goals
of the URI. LYDS team, represented by its
core executive committee, does believe that
our Cooperation Circle with URI will help us
achieve part of our intercultural and interfaith
understanding goals. We plan:1. Providing
opportunities for youths to interact, learn, and
develop their skills necessary to contribute to
the general well being of youth at national
level. 2. Educating and encouraging youths to
pursue and practice their heritage, language
and culture 3.Empowering Lebanese youths
by promoting peer participation in community
organizations and civic structures. 4.
Engaging youths in international humanitarian
and human rights endeavors.
Description: Our CC educates people about
being one by organizing workshops,
especially for youth, and writing press
releases and articles. Our future goal is to
establish a society that contains people with
difference religions, and to organize a huge
conference with government officials to make
people closer to each other and recommend
having a learning course at schools to
educate students of the importance of having
one alliance no matter what religions or
beliefs are.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
El Hammoumi Naoufal
1121 hay andalous
Tiflet
CP 15400 Morocco
nawfalnetweb@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rowaida F. Mroue
Hilaliye area, Talaa't Al Mouhafez street,
Panorama 2 building, fourth floor.
Saida City, Lebanon
(961) 712-19941
(961) 772-8805
(961) 7089-1330
rowaidamroue@live.com
www.lydsorg.blogspot.com
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Mouna Ouafik
Rabat
Morocco
mouna-ouafik@hotmail.com
Remon Shokery Massoud
2 Said Rabee St. a€"6 October Street
Elminya
Egypt
(20) 124-003-295
remon_shokery@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Hadi A. Joubali
Beirut-Apartment: Radio Orient StudiosKentari area
Beirut
961 Lebanon
(961) 136-5454
(961) 369-6482
hadijoubali@yahoo.com
www.lydsorg.blogspot.com
Zainab Al Nasheet
House 346, Road 309, Manama 303
Bahrain
(973) 366-78-722
alnasheetz@gmail.com
176
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Halima Daoud Abdel-Fattah Ahmad
Idna, Wadi Elefranj
Hebron, West Bank Palestinian Territory
(972) 2225-8333 / (972) 599-9380-261
halimasleem@yahoo.com
PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Palestinian
Palestinian Peace Club CC
Purpose: To achieve peace in the world and
especially in the Middle East to remove the
differences between the peoples.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Maysoun Suleiman
Ibn Rushd Circle, Waha Blg., Floor 4, Office 6
West Bank
Palestinian Territory
(970) 599-770-929
hebronhouse1@yahoo.com
Description: We participated in many
activities related to peace in Israel and
Palestine. We work for peace and Tolerance
in the world and especially in Middle East to
end the conflict in Middle East. We gathered
as a group of peace and this group is small
and we hope to expand this idea to more and
more.
Palestinian Young for Peace
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ra'ed A. EID
(972) 59-927-8871
palestinianpeaceclub@yahoo.com
Purpose: To struggle against bigotry and
sprout peace amoung the Palestinian and
Israeli Grass-Roots Youth, despite faith,
confession, ethnic origin, tribe, sect, tenet,
color, boundary, or cultural difference.
Palestinian Women for Peace Society
Description: We are doing our bests to urge
those "blocked" groups to participate in our
activities and express their points of view
frankly and run peaceful and constructive
dialogues between different parties. We
carried out many peace meetings with our
Israeli colleagues, as well as with young from
Europe, USA and other Middle East Countries
Purpose: To sprout peace among Palestinian
women.
Description:
Description We run activities to empower the
Palestinian women politically, economically,
socially and medically as well as cooperate with
other women from adjacent countries and
abroad. We dedicate to women empowering
and to teach our members that humanity is the
most precious thing that we must struggle for,
despite the race or religion or identity. Our most
memorable activity was our first meeting with
Jews from Israel; we still remember the time of
looking to each other with awe, every one
looked in the eyes of the other speechlessness
and skeptic, then the Norwegian facilitator
started breaking the ice between the two
groups. After 3 days together in a humble resort
called "Peace Oasis" in Latroun-Middle
Israel/Palestine, we were playing together chess
+ volleyball + cards + etc. Our plans to pursue
such activities will surely help actualize our
dreams to live together in justice, peace and
mutual respect.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Osama M. Ali
Jerusalem University in AbuDis, Faculty of
Law, Jerusalem/Abu Dis Town
West Bank-Palestinian Authority Palestinian
Territory
(972) 599-395-084
osa0072005@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
George H. Issa
Everest Hotel
Nearby the Orthodox Club
Beit Jala-Palestinian Authority
Palestinian Territory
nidal_zimmon@yahoo.com
177
interested. We think that there are several
ways in which we can help to create a better
world. For example, we can emphasize the
idea that we are all human beings aiming one
thing: inner peace. We will promote that
people share with each other some of their
spiritual traditions trying to communicate,
understand,
and
respect.
We
will
communicate with other groups and organize
workshops and activities to encourage people
to welcome the diversity and stand together
against discrimination.
The Palestinian Peace Society
Purpose: To enhance peace between
different religions.
Description: To promote the ideology of
peace, tolerance and non-violence among the
Palestinian grass-roots. To arrange, attend
and participate in any peace activities in or
outside Palestine, to clarify the Palestinian
sufferings, and to combat the bigotry and
extremist, fanatic ""ideologies"" among the
Palestinian Youth. We organize workshops,
seminars, courses and meetings for the
Palestinian public to understand their dilemma
in a progressive way in order to think rationally
how to overcome the daily atrocities and
agonies the Palestinian people endure.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Dalia S. Deareyyah
Wad Ma’lli Str.
Bethlehem
00972 Palestinian Territory
(972) 2274-5436
(972) 599-66-2688
daliad20@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Taleb Al-Harithi
Bab Alzawyeh-Maraqua Blg. #2
Hebron Palestinian Territory
(972) 2-599-898-516
Alharithi99@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Dina I. Hilal
Bethlehem
00972 Palestinian Territory
(972) 227-45-669
(972) 569-002-063
dina_hilal@hotmail.com
United for Palestine
Purpose: To be united in order to serve our
society and spread awareness about some
different issues that concern everyone.
Volunteering for Peace CC
Purpose: To spread the idea of peace in the
world and create a bridge between Muslims
and Christians in Palestine.
Description: We create activities where
Muslims and Christians can share together
some of their spiritual traditions. Besides that,
we draw the smile on orphan’s face by
creating festivals or activities. We have
volunteered in different activities such as,
summer camps for kids, clear-up day and
earth day. Moreover, we were part of different
workshops as the use of ICT to enhance
Gender Awareness and Resilience in
Palestinian society. We participated in
different interfaith activities that took place in
Bethlehem between the different religious
faith groups. We participated at Volunteering
for Peace URI CC activities in Palestine and
there we heard about URI and become
Description: Volunteering for Peace is a
Palestinian non-governmental organization
aiming to participate in establishing a bridge
between the different faith groups in
Palestine. Our was established to participate
in building a bridge between the different faith
groups in Palestine and the world. The idea
came to create a working group to regularly
discuss the different aspects of the daily life
and to encourage cooperation between the
different faith groups. The name came from a
Euromed program that took place in Greece
in which participants from different countries
178
ground of religious politics among Moslems,
Christians, and Jews. It comes as part of the
historic dialogue that was started a long time
ago, to bridge the gap between two
civilizations - between the civilization based
on the Bible and the Torah and the civilization
based on the Quran.
met in Greece to learn about every community
and every faith prospective to peace.
Volunteering for Peace participated in
different local and international faith groups
activities. Volunteering for Peace is active in
the field of non-violence and peace building.
We organize different workshops, training
programs and exchanges in topics related to
interfaith, non-violence, peace building,
conflict resolution, intercultural learning and
other topics.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mohammed S. Dajani
P.O. Box 4414, Al-Bireh
Palestinian Territory
(972) 2-656-4485
(972) 54-776-0936
mohddajani@hotmail.com
www.bigdreamsmallhope.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Tareq Z. Altamimi
18 Ain Kahir Aldeen St.
Hebron, West bank
Palestinian Territory
(970) 2-229-9663
(970) 59-987-0067
mttamimi@yahoo.com
We are Palestine
Purpose: Our purpose is to create an
interfaith culture between the Palestinian
youth.
Wasatia CC
Purpose:
Purpose: To spread the word of moderation,
centrism, justice, and balance as reflected in
the three Abrahamic religions with a focus on
Islam since the name is taken from the Holy
Koran from the Cow Sura Verse 143 which
states: And thus we have created you an
Umatan wasata ""a moderate nation."" We
call for regenerating the seed of love, peace,
tolerance, that lies encoded in the spirit.
Description:
Description We are a group University
students and graduates that meet together for
one objective: to create a change in our
community through organizing joint activities
for youth. One of the main activities we
organized is a visit to SOS Children Village in
Bethlehem and we organized fun days for the
children there with games and various
activities. We also participated in last Year
international Day of Peace IDP 2010 in 21st of
September with volunteering for Peace in
Bethlehem. Mr. Ahmad participated in last
year URI Annual conference which took place
in Amman and he was one of the Volunteers
for URI 10th anniversary Celebration. He
shared information about URI with us and we
decided to create this CC.
Description:
Description Wasatia endorses a platform
that blends verses from the Quran, extolling
the virtues of peace, moderation and
tolerance, with calls for a negotiated peace
with Israel and looking for solutions to the
acute economic, social and political crises
plaguing Palestinian society. Wasatia is the
first Islamic religious party to advocate a
peaceful, negotiated settlement of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict and a tolerant, democratic
society at home. Wasatia calls for the respect
of the religious identities of other religions like
Judaism and Christianity. Wasatia shares the
many values embodied in all religions to be an
integral part of its bridges of cooperation and
understanding.. It is aimed at the middle
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ahmad M. Tahboub
Ain sarah St, Apartment: 12
Hebron 97000
Palestinian Territory
(972) 599167019
(972) 599167019
179
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lila L. Sabat
Alsaf Street, Apartment: 12
00970 Bethlehem
Palestinian Territory
(972) 598234018
TUNISIA
Club Unesco Alecso Bardo
Purpose: To promote tolerance between
religion. To promote respect between
different religions.
SYRIA
Description: Our group is very interested on
the purpose of URI. Our NGO has the same
goals. Nowadays, with the increasing of the
impact of globalization the war against the
terrorism …. This initiative is like a torch of
light for peace and tolerance. We want
restore the bridges and to bring the trust
between religions and nations. We have in our
plans: The European Cultural Agenda 20142020.Anna Lindh Foundation Campaign and
voting for the peace award 2009 Supporting
Sue Thompson Global Rally Peace Network.
Forum of the intercultural dialogue Jordan
organized by the Arab League
Debate Club
Purpose: To empower Syrian youth by
engaging them in debates that tackle issues
of their interest as well as involving them in
international multicultural exchanges and
peace building camps.
Description: The idea of our group born in
2005, copying the program we used to be
part of while we were at the university. The
program was called Social Debate club. We
want to continue this activity after we
graduated. Therefore, we established this
group. We organize a monthly Debates
session, most of time we invite a considerable
number of youth and facilitate a debate and
some time we invite quest speakers to talk
about issues of our interest. In addition, we
have participated in several international
Youth Exchanges in Syria, Poland, Spain, etc.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Zine N. Elias
13 rue des marguerites
Zouhour 2
2052 Tunis
Tunisia
(216)78400482
(216)98632701
zine_ilyes@yahoo.fr
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Nadya Al-Turk
nadya.turk@googlemail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Fedia B. Gasmi
119 rue Taher haded cite Magoulaa beja sud9023 Magoulaa
Tunisia
(216) 784-00-745
(216) 967-39-384
fediagasmi@hotmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mouafaq Hashem
Jarratt Hall, 55 Dale Road, Selly Oak
B296FG Birmingham
United Kingdom
h.mouafaq@googlemail.com
U NITED ARAB EMIRATES
Help the Natural Disasters Victims
Purpose: To help the natural disasters victims
as much as we can. Many people die every
180
year due to natural disasters and many die
after the disasters because of not receiving
help. We are young people of different Middle
East countries willing to help. Our help might
not be vast or huge but at least it is something
that we can share with others to live a better
life.
Middle East Youth Network
Netw ork
Purpose: To build a network of young people
of the Middle East with the young people in
the West in order to learn from each other's
traditions, religions and cultures to promotes
understanding and peaceful living with each
other.
Description: Educating people and more
particularly children and youth is the driving
force for our activities to reach the goalsSome
concrete actions of our CC lately are: Having
5children of Bam city in Iran (after the
disastrous earthquake about 6 years ago)
adopted by our team to support them
financially with the living and education
expenses, sent some donation to Lebanon
after the recent war to reach those in need.
Description: We believe that almost
everything can be achieved when a proper
understanding is gained. Through educating
young people in our network and involving
them in meetings with people of different
traditions, cultures and religions we promote
this knowledge and therefore a culture of
understanding for cultural and religious
understanding. Our vision would truly come
alive through our activities as our network
grows and more young people involved
having the understanding spread around in
our community in the Middle East and further
to the Western societies about ours. This
mutual understanding is what we think would
mostly bring into action our vision.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Atefeh Sadeghi
P.O. Box 121632
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
amir.hme@gmail.com
www.lid.org.ir
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Abrar M. Obada
Faculty of Engineering
P.O. Box 346
Ajman University
Ajman
United Arab Emirates
(971) 50-8444002
uri.abrar@gmail.com
Iran Youths for Peace and InterInterReligious Dialogue CC
Purpose: To get familiar with different
religions and to create friendship between
youths of different religions. To promote the
culture of peace and justice among youths. To
hold small meetings for Iranian youths to
acquaint them with the common ground that
religions share in the building of peace and
peaceful co-existence.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Atefeh Sadeghi
P.O. Box 121632
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
(971) 50-378-5035 (UAE)
amir.hme@gmail.com
www.lid.org.ir
181
MultiRegion
27 CCs across the regions
1000Kalema, a joint project of Think Peace Media and Communications CC and NaYA CC,
announced winners of its photography competition on October 1, 2011. First place went to
Sudipto Das of India for his photograph "Friendship."
URI Global Council Chair Yoland
Trevino represented URI's Global
Indigenous Initiative at the UN
Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues in New York in May 2011.
URI welcomed a new
MultiRegion Regional
Coordinator, Abdallah
Hendawy of Egypt in
June 2011.
182
Members of TRUST WIN (Women's Interfaith
Network) CC at the site of a fire-damaged
forest where they will join with two other CCs
to plant trees in honor of fire victims and
widows of interfaith leaders, part of URI’s
Environmental Satellite seed grant program.
Ambassador Mussie Hailu, URI Regional Coordinator for Ethiopia, and URI’s Lone Klemmensen, traveled
through Denmark in March 2011 for the Golden Rule Tour, which included visiting local schools.
International Network of Peace Studies INOPS CC, a group of young people who met in a Peace Studies
program at Innsbruck University in Austria and joined URI in December 2010.
Members of the URI Global Youth Cooperation Circle, over 600 youth across 65 countries.
183
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ardey Turner
4754 W. Rosetta
Fresno, CA 93722
United States
(559) 276-3519
ardeyt@sbcglobal.net
2048 Project
Purpose:
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote the
International Bill of Rights project to create
cultures of peace, justice, and healing for the
Earth and all living beings.
Description: 2048 is a project within the
University of California, Berkeley, Law School.
Through its website, 2048 provides
curriculum for teachers to teach about the
evolution of international human rights. One
example is the lesson plan 2048 has prepared
for International Human Rights Day,
December 10, of each year. The plan includes
a film, made by university students for
students, and discussion points so that, on
the same day, students in many countries
learn about rights they all share.
Dr. T.D. Singh Science and Spirituality
CC
Purpose: To honor the memory of Dr. T. D.
Singh by encouraging World Wide Science
and Religion Dialogue and inviting all persons
who are open to reflection and dialogue on
the relationship between science and religion.
Description: Most of our CC members are
already engaged in integrating science and
religions and dialogue around the world,
organizing international conferences, and
writing and publishing books on science and
religions. In the future, we hope to hold
meetings via teleconferencing so that we can
plan globally but act locally.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kirk Boyd
University of California
Berkeley School of Law
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States
(415) 690-6687
kboyd@law.berkeley.edu
http://draftinghumanrights.berkeley.edu/
Primary Contact:
Contact:
K V. Rao
RC_8, Raghunathpur, VIP Road
700 059 Kolkatta
India
(91) 33-2500-9018
vrajapati@gmail.com
A Circle of Healers CC
Purpose: To be a gathered circle of healers
from all traditions and all methods who bring
healing to the Earth and to all living beings.
Secondary Contacts:
Contacts:
Susana Reich
11 de septiembre 1740 - Piso 13,
C1426BKV Buenos Aires
Argentina
3milenio@interserver.com.ar
Description:
Description: We support the URI purpose by
being mindful and prayerful for all the
participants of URI. Daily we send the healing
energy of Reiki to each and every person
involved in this process of healing every living
being on the planet. We offer this support
with love and caring. As we do this work, we
too are blessed.
Varun Agarwal
Bi.vsert@gmail.com
Amir Farid bin Isahak
INSAF/Pure Life Society
Batu 6, Jalan Puchong
184
58200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
(601) 7871-3000
(603) 4108-4300
(603) 410-823-00
(603) 410-51-300
urimalaysia@yahoo.com
r_amir55@yahoo.com
dr.amir55@gmail.com
www.surforever.com/insaf/
Faiths Without Borders [Uskot ilman
rajoja (Finnish) / Tro utan gränser
(Swedish)]
Purpose: to promote constructive dialogue
and cooperation between people from
different cultures and faiths and convictions,
internationally, to build the culture of peace
and to work on the field of sustainable
development for social justice, equality and
peace and well-being for all, to promote
Global Ethic and Golden Rule
EURIMA
Description: We plan to start an interfaith
project regarding the Five Elements in order
to promote sustainable lifestyle. The first
couple of years of the project we will deal with
the element of water. This part of the project
is called “Holy Drop!”. Faiths Without Borders
is a part of the Interfaith Dialogue Network in
Finland that each year gives the Golden Rule
Award. We published a book called “Flikat
maailman Turuilta” in cooperation with the
Daisy Ladies. The book presents twenty
interviews with women from different cultures
who answer questions about things learned
within families, from older generations, and
about how things they have learned helped
them through life. The book is a part of the
project called Learning all the time. It is a part
of the working group of environmental NGOs
that has a task to create a national Zero Draft
for Rio +20.
Purpose: To gather together musicians,
artists, dancers, those in radio and television
and theater to bring fresh creativity to the
varied expressions of the URI.
Description: We began in 2000 with a core
group in Pittsburgh and now have a widespread membership on foucontinents. To date
we have two major projects: the first is the
publishing of the first-ever interfaith
songbook, ""One World-Many Voices"" which
was edited by Jack Lundin and organized by
CC members with some experience in the
field of music. The book, expressing hymnody
from six continents, more than twelve faith
groups and in twelve languages, is now used
all over the world. The second project is a
global contest among architects and artists
for the design of a sacred interfaith space.
Other projects are anticipated including
concerts around the globe organized by
members and others outside the CC.
Primary Contact:
Mussie Hailu
P.O. Box 7785
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
(251) 11-6-627-237 (URI Africa office)
(251) 1-1416-2425 / (251) 9-11-202-503
mussiepeace@yahoo.co.uk
Primary Contact
Contact:
act:
Donald Frew
1145 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94704
United States
(1) 510-524-2078
DHF3@aol.com
www.cog.org
Secondary Contacts:
Heidi Maria Rautionmaa
Lotankatu 2 C 68
Espoo, Finland 02680
(358) 440 412 189
185
several Africa Projects in Malawi, Southern
Sudan, South Africa, and Uganda. In addition,
Global Healing is helping refugees from Africa
through its Art Forms project.
heidi.rautionmaa@gmail.com
rautionmaa@yahoo.com
Skype Name: heidi.rautionmaa
Aarni Kaleva Moisala
Tuhkimontie 2 A 4
Helsinki, Finland 00820
(358) 403538426
aarni.moisala@aalto.fi
aarni.moisala@haaga-helia.fi
Primary Contact:
Contact:
David W. Randle
3844 36th Terrace South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
United States
1-727-388-6675
DaveRandle@globalhealing.net
Global Family for Love
Love and Peace CC
Global Interfaith Network for Golden
Rule CC
Purpose: To promote interfaith dialogue.
Description: GFLP is a non-profit tax exempt
organization founded by Dharma Master Hsin
Tao, who also is the founder of the Museum of
World Religions. In accordance with the
philosophy of respect for all faiths, tolerance
for all cultures, and love for all life, GFLP is
dedicated to building a harmonious world
through promoting values-based education,
organizing and directing activities for young
people in the field of social service, and
sponsoring interfaith dialogues.
Purpose: To practice and promote the
Golden Rule through out the world as a
guiding principle of life and as a means of
promoting the culture of peace and interfaith
harmony.
Description: Our CC works to promote the
Golden Rule. When it is applied to politics,
the Golden Rule leads to policies that create
the greatest good for the greatest number,
with basic rights for all. Thus, total good is
maximized and no people are denied the
basic needs of life. This is a good formula for
happiness and social stability anywhere. The
Golden Rule, which is clearly stated in
different religions and sacred texts, is the
password and key to a better world. Our
latest activities, awards received and given
and plans can be found at www.urimulti.org.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Laurence Singer
46-60 156th Street
Flushing, NY 11375
United States
(1) 718-353-7398
lawrence@gflp.org
www.gflp.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mussie Hailu
P.O. Box 7785
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
(251) 11-6-627-237 (URI Africa office)
(251) 9-11-202-503
mhailu@uri.org
Global Healing CC
Purpose: To provide education, development,
and implementation of the Call to Global
Healing.
Description: The Global Healing Initiative
has endorsed the Interfaith Climate
Declaration and encourages other
organizations and individuals to consider
doing the same. Global Healing is supporting
186
examining our spiritual and religious
differences, the journal will inquire into
shared core values, survey religious news,
offer various perspectives on the
unparalleled religious diversity enveloping
humankind, reflect on theological and
spiritual issues, and perhaps develop a
social network for interfaith activists
focused on service. There has been a lot
of support for the idea since Paul Chaffee
started approaching leaders from the
interfaith community in this country and
abroad. A wonderful design process for
the publication and its website generated
wonderful results and a new website,
www.theinterfaithobserver.org. The “Who
We Are” page shows who is participating
so far.
Happy Heart Compassionate Eating
Vegetarian CC
Purpose: To educate and inspire others in
ways to make our food choices reflect our
compassionate worldview.
Description:
URI is a forum, and we want to take
advantage of who we are and form a forumneighborhood to pull religious resources
together in service to the world.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Heng Sure
2304 McKinley Avenue
Berkeley CA 94703
United States
(1) 510-848-3440
paramita@drba.org
Primary Contact:
Rev. Paul Chaffee
2107 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 San
Francisco, CA 94109 USA
(1) 415-292-7059 (Home)
(1) 415-775-4635 (Business)
(1) 415-317-4093 (Mobile)
chaffee123@gmail.com
The Interfaith Observer
Purpose: The Interfaith Observer is a
monthly electronic journal created to
explore interfaith culture locally and
globally. Our mission is to cultivate a
healthy, peace-engendering interfaith
culture locally and globally; to share
interfaith news that rarely gets published;
to grow 'connective tissue' among
interfaith activists, their interfaith ventures,
and the millions who participate; to
provide resources for both interfaith
newbies and seasoned activists; and to
survey exemplary interfaith practices,
including funding strategies.
Secondary CC Contact:
Contact:
Rev. Terry Weller
44 Metcalfe Street
Aurora, Ontario, CANADA L4G 1E6
(1) 905 727 7011
(1) 416 801 5597 (Mobile)
tweller@openquest.ca
I nternational
nternational Interfaith Peace CC
Description: The Interfaith Observer will
provide historical perspectives, survey
current interreligious news, and otherwise
provide maps and sign-posts for
newcomers. It will offer a context to
explore and respond to the unique
diversity and close proximity of religious,
spiritual people today. Along with
Purpose: To promote peace in different
countries of the world through the presence
and work of our CC members so that URI
goals and objectives can spread and to have
interfaith dialogue to promote peace and
remove ignorance, which is a cause of
conflicts.
187
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sowmya Ayyar
16485 Del Monte
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
United States
(408) 893-8550
sowmyaayyar@gmail.com
Description: This CC is an international and
multiregional CC and comprises persons from
three countries and six religions. Our activities
target fifty schools and colleges in India, Sri
Lanka and Malaysia for peace promotion and
spreading URI message. We meet youth
through visits and motivate them to promote
peace projects and to work for interfaith
peace.
Mazdayasnie ZC Global URI CC at
Zoroastrian
Zoroastrian
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Minoo Jokhi
122A Kismet
all Sassoon Dock
400005 Colaba, Mumbai
India
(91) 22-2218-2246
(98) 2140-7519
minoojokhi@rediffmail.com
Purpose: To promote interfaith peace through
good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.
Description: We promote interfaith peace by
supporting programs for school and college
students to improve peace awareness and
interreligious harmony and cooperation as
well as by promoting the practice of good
thoughts, good words and good deeds. One
of our projects is to prepare a Calendar of
Festivals of All Faiths, and to promote peace,
understanding and harmony by encouraging
people of different faiths to participate and
share in the festivals so that festivals can
become an occasion for joy instead of an
excuse for inter-religious fighting and
terrorism. We provide a unique opportunity to
those graduates interested in peace
development, including URI CC members
from all countries, to gain a Research
Doctorate by submission of a research thesis
through the Zoroastrian College/World
University in the USA.
International Network of Peace Studies
INOPS
Purpose: Contributing to peace-building
through interfaith dialogue, conflict
transformation and non-violent
communication.
Description: This CC is a group of young
people who first met in a Peace Studies
program at Innsbruck University in Austria.
The group is searching for projects and action
programs involving Yoga and other meditative
practices to help provide the peace within
each individual which precedes peace in the
community, the nation and the world.
Members are in Egypt, India, United Arab
Emirates, Europe and the United States. The
group also plans to organize activities related
to intercultural and interfaith dialogue, poetry,
and environmental conservation.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Meher Master-Moos
Mustafa Buildings 2nd Floor
Sir PM Road
400001 Bombay
India
(91) 222-364-4737
meheramymaster@rediffmail.com
Primary Contact
Contact:
tact:
Abrar M. Obada
P.O. Box 346
United Arab Emirates
(971) 50-8444002
aa.abrar@gmail.com
188
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Deepak Naik
Legacy House, 29 Walsgrave Road
CV2 4HE Coventry
United Kingdom
(44) 2476-225-764
(44) 793-206-5453
deepak.naik@ntlworld.com
www.moe-online.com
People for Peace CC
Purpose: To build a dialogue for peace and
share peacebuilding tools with others.
Description:
Our dream for making a difference in the
world is to build relationships between people
based on human understanding rather than
pre-judgement s and prejudice.
The Everest Peace Project
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Abdallah Hendawy
Number 5., Mustafa Morsi Street, Sporting
Alexandria Egypt
(20) 123-717671
ahendawy@uri.org
www.sda-web.org
Purpose: To promote peace, teamwork, and
cultural understanding; and to further interfaith
dialogue.
Description: The Everest Peace Project is
not a religious organization nor does it have
any political agenda. Our mission is to inspire
and to show that people from diverse
backgrounds can unite together in a peaceful
manner and accomplish amazing things. The
main focus for the organization has recently
been on its history-making documentary film
which is narrated by Orlando Bloom and has
been endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, titled Everest: A Climb for Peace. It is
now being shown on PBS World outlets. In
May 2011 a new team of climbers reached
their goal, the Base Camp on Mt. Everest.
Spirituality & the Earth CCCC- Linking the
People
Peopl e & the Earth
Purpose: To foster and facilitate
communication and cooperation between all
those who feel a spiritual connection with the
Earth.
Description: Our dream for making a
difference in the world: To bring together
those who follow indigenous, tribal, pagan,
nature-based, and Earth-centered
spiritualities; To reach out to spiritual
traditions and groups (especially indigenous
and tribal) who have not been involved in the
process before; To share information and
resources; To bring our combined wisdom to
bear on the needs of the Earth and all livings
beings. We operate by consensus, assisted
between meetings by an interim Coordinating
Council.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lance Trumbull
6071 SW 208th Place
Beaverton, OR 97007
United States
(1) 503-547-3089
lance@everestpeaceproject.org
www.urimulti.org
The Pilgrimage Project CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Donald Frew
1145 Cedar Street
Berkeley, CA 94702
United States
(1) 510-524-2078
dhf3@aol.com
Purpose: To initiate a series of global
pilgrimages for the purpose of connecting
with networks of women who are committed
to spiritual practice, equitable peace and
social justice. To organize and facilitate a
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(1) 845-629-9509
revdeb1@comcast.net
www.uri-un.org
series of conversations through the United
States, In
Description: We are developing a Pilotprogram for Learning Service Internships that
are scheduled to begin in the summer of
2010. We have identified some thirty sites
that include a variety of service opportunities.
Initially these internships will be available in
the US, India and Pakistan. Future sites will be
in South America, Africa and the Middle East.
Secondary Contact
Contact:
ntact:
Audrey E. Kitagawa
327 East 48th Street, Apt. 31A
New York, NY 10017
United States
(1) 212-963-0984
(1) 212-688-8142
dmaudrey@aek9.net
www.uri-un.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Linda B. Elder
Religious Studies Department, Valdosta State
University
Valdosta, GA 31698
United States
(1) 229-333-5949 (university department)
(1) 229-245-8036 (preferred)
benetlin@aol.com
Think Peace Media and
Communications
Purpose: The purpose of Think Peace Media
and Communications CC is to tell the stories
of peace in action in many media formats
based on the principles of respecting life,
rejecting violence, sharing with others,
listening to understand, preserving the planet
and
The United Religions Initiative at the
United Nations
Description: The purpose of the Think Peace
Media and Communications CC is to
establish a forum to tell the stories, News and
Current Events of interfaith cooperation,
efforts to end religiously motivated violence,
and the ideas, solutions and wisdom of those
who are creating cultures of peace, justice
and healing for the earth and its inhabitants.
From June until September 11, 2011 we are
sponsoring a photo contest the details of
which are found on our regional website at
www.urimulti.org
Purpose: To provide an ongoing presence for
the United Religions Initiative at the United
Nations and to engage the URI in initiatives
and agendas of the United Nations.
Description: URI-UN is very proud of the
widespread participation of URI CCs in the
International Day of Peace on September
21st, which our CC encourages. In 2008,
URI-UN co-sponsored a ground-breaking
consultation between UN officials and NGOs
on the International Day of Peace. In February
2011, an initiative of the Jordanian UN
representative resulted in the 1st Week of
Interfaith Harmony which is intended to
become an annual event.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Perri Kathryn K. McCary
24433 San Mateo
Carmel, CA 93923
United States
(1) 713-893-1304
(1) 831-233-9361
office@thinkpeaceradio.net
www.thinkpeaceradion.net /
podcast.thinkpeaceradio.net
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Deborah Moldow
251-B. Heritage Hills
Somers, NY 10589
United States
(1) 914-669-0133
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build community and to generate new
possibilities for a dignified human life for all
women, children and men.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rachael Watcher
2122 Lakeshore Avenue, #309
Oakland, CA 94606
United States
(1) 713-893-1304
(1) 415-850-7268
(1) 713-359-6562
auntierw@yahoo.com
www.thinkpeaceradio.net
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Annie Imbens-Fransen
councilforwomen@xs4all.nl
Secondary Contact
Contact:
tact:
Elana Rozenman
15 Naomi Street
93552 Jerusalem
Israel
(972) 267-496-698
(972) 2-672-9317
(972) 522-861-779
erozenman@bezeqint.net
www.trust-emun.org
Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk CC
Purpose: To walk to change the world one
step at a time.
Description: With every step we take we
touch and are touched by people- heart to
heart, face-to-face creating an opportunity for
a more peaceful world. Trail of Dreams World
Peace Walk 2005-2009 is presently in
Hawaii beginning the 2nd year of their
inspiring project.
Unity Walk CC
Purpose: The Unity Walk brings together
people of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths to
walk as family - learning to respect each
other's differences, and serve beyond
themselves.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Audri S. Williams
4046 Windhurst Court
Lilburn, GA 30047
United States
(1) 770-685-1900
(1) 404-374-1162
aewnowtime@aol.com
www.spiritoftruthfoundation.com
Description: With every step we take we
touch and are touched by people, heart-toheart and face-to-face, creating an
opportunity for a more peaceful world. In
2000, the Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk
journeyed from Pennsylvania to Georgia and
around Ghana, West Africa. In 2005-2009,
the Walk went around the world. Right now
members are walking around the USA. See
the details at www.urimulti.org
United Religions Initiative Council for
Women CC
Primary Contact
Contact:
tact:
Meg C. Poole
3716 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States
(202) 244-5006
(314) 910-7012
kyle@911unitywalk.org
www.911unitywalk.org
Purpose: To create enduring cooperation
among the people of the world, to honor the
sacred, to end violence, to promote justice, to
build community and to generate new
possibilities for a dignified human life for all
women, children and men.
Description: To create enduring cooperation
among the people of the world, to honor the
sacred, to end violence, to promote justice, to
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(63) 9175-389-358
shekinah8@gmail.com
www.peacemakerscircle.blogspot.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Kyle I. Poole
3716 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
20016 Washington,DC
United States
(202) 244-5006
(314) 910-7012
kyle@911unitywalk.org
www.911unitywalk.org
URI Global Youth Cooperation Circle
Purpose: The purpose of the URI Global
Youth CC is to be a global youth organization
for URI; to support wider participation of
youth at all levels in URI (in local CCs and
actions, regional and global levels); to develop
young peoples' skills, capacities and
confidence so that rooted in our traditions, we
can respect each other and serve the world in
which we live; and to support communication
flowing between young people and
exchanging stories, ideas, and values as a
model of cooperation and a means of building
"cultures of peace, justice, and healing for the
Earth and all living beings."
URI Circle for Peace and Nonviolence
Education
Purpose: To be an online, globally-based
group of URI members committed to sharing,
learning, and teaching the ways of
Nonviolence Communication and Training in
Nonviolence and Peace at core levels.
Description: Our members offer trainings
from various traditions and in various models
for CCs and others, and contribute to the
Resource section of the URI website with
suggestions for readings and opportunities.
We are building on a foundation of effective
use of different techniques from trainings at
the Children’s Peace Palace in Rajasthan, the
Youth Ambassadors Program, and several
trainings within CCs,notably, Hendersonville,
North Carolina’s Peace Academy.
Description: Our CC now includes more
than 500 youth interfaith activists from 68
countries. You can learn more about our CC
on the Young Leaders page on the URI
website.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Krithika Harish
URI Global Support Office
1009 General Kennedy Avenue, Floor 1
San Francisco, CA 94129
1 (415) 561-2300
Kharish@uri.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sohanlal Gandhi
Anuvrat Global (ANIVIBHA)
Opp. Gaurav Tower, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur
302 017 Rajasthan
India
(91) 141-2722412
anuvibha@anuvibha.in
Voices for a World Free of Nuclear
Weapons CC
Purpose: To assist in the effort to abolish
nuclear weapons.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Marites G. Africa
17 Luna Street, Ayala Heights Village
Old Balara
1119 Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(63) 2-920-7622
(63) (2) 931-8667
Description: Formed in 2010 by a
distinguished group of educators, religious
leaders, statesmen and others, this CC has
made several statements on the need to
eliminate nuclear wepons from the world now.
192
Please see their web page at
www.urimulti.org for more specifics.
(1) 626-297-4227
therion93@earthlink.net
Primary Contact
C ontact:
ontact:
The Right Rev. William E. Swing
1 (415) 561-2300
bswing@uri.org
W omen's Interfaith Network of the URI
CC
Purpose: To provide an interactive global
network for women's projects to be realized
locally and globally.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Roger Eaton
355 Serrano Drive, Apt 4F
94132 San FranciscoCA
United States
(1) 415-349-4666
(1) 415-933-0153
rogerweaton@gmail.com
www.globalassembly.net
Description:
Description: WIN URI was founded at the
URI Global Council Meeting in May 2006.
One of our CC's first service projects was to
donate funds to help support services
coordinated by two of our members, Joyce
Ng'oma and Shakun Vaswani. Joyce is leading
a series of visitations to women prisoners of
different faiths in Malawi, to assist the women
with hygiene, mental health and education.
This project inspired our members to agree to
research the situation of women prisoners in
our own countries, with a view to identifying
interfaith service opportunities. Shakun's
project provides small loans to Christian and
Muslim women in the Philippines, to help
them start individual handicrafts business.
This CC is integrating its work into the
Women's Coalition MCC.
Women and
and Spirituality CC
Purpose: To bring women together to explore
our common concerns and share the richness
of our varied spiritual traditions. We will seek
to model ourselves in non-hierarchical fashion
in true circles of sisterhood and hear and link
the voices of women of all faiths
Description: Our CC exists in virtual space
(on the internet) as a forum for discussion,
awareness and networking for women who
are exploring how their unique feminine
spirituality has common bonds. We are
working towards several conferences and are
supporting each other's initiatives. We
welcome new members.
Primary Contact:
Despina Namwembe
P.O. Box 72190
Clock Tower
Kampala
Uganda
(256) 77-457-791
(256) 414-531-066
dmwembe@uri.org
dmwembe@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Betsy G. Stang
17 Jonet Lane
12409 Bearsville NY United States
(1) 845-679-6347
bebird@aol.com
Secondary Contacts
Contacts :
Rachel Watcher
2122 Lakeshore Avenue, #309
Oakland, CA 94606
United States
(1) 713-359-6562
(1) 713-893-1304
(1) 713-264-8631
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Yoland Trevino
4234 Canyon Crest Road
91001 AltadenaCA
United States
(1) 626-797-3379
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(1) 415-850-7268
auntierw@yahoo.com
office@thinkpeaceradio.net
Elana Rozenman
15 Naomi Street
93552 Jerusalem
Israel
(972) 267-496-698
(972) 2-672-9317
(972) 522-861-779
erozenman@bezeqint.net
www.trust-emun.org
Monica Willard
1809 Meadow Ridge Court
18015 Bethlehem, PA
United States
(610) 625-2696 (home/office/fax)
(631) 697-7972
MBwillard@aol.com
194
North America
50 CCs in 2 countries
The Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk Cooperation Circle completed its 13 Moon Walk
for Peace on November 11 in Atlanta, George. The 13-month journey took them through
sixty of the most marginalized communities in the United States.
URI Youth Ambassadors from North America and
students from American University attended a
leadership training in Washington D.C. in April 2011.
Father James Channan, Regional Coordinator for
URI-Pakistan, visited Unity Made Visible CC in New
York in July 2011.
195
Global Clergy Association of Canada CC organized a peace conference at
Northwood United Church in Surrey in September 2011.
Ambassador Mussie Hailu, URI-Africa Regional Director,
attended the North American Interfaith Network
Conference (NAIN Connect 2011) in Phoenix, Arizona to
speak on the Golden Rule.
San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee presented
Rita Semel with a proclamation of Rita Semel
Day on November 22, 2011. .Semel is founder
of San Francisco Interfaith Council CC (SFIC)
and long-time URI leader.
URI-North America leadership team visited the United Nations in New York City in 2011.
196
Global Clergy Association Vancouver,
BC
CANADA
Clergy for Compassion and Harmony CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to learn to respect
to support each other's religious groups and
organizations to make a peaceful and
environmentally friendly group.
Purpose: We are an association of clergy
from historic religions. We provide spiritual
support to fellow-clergy through friendship,
prayer, worship/devotions, theological
reflection and discussion of common issues
and problems faced by religious communities;
we also take action of a spiritual nature if
necessary.
Description: Our CC formed with the
purpose of creating awareness on peace,
environment and poverty issues and to
promote equality for all. Most recently, we
organized a Pre-Parliament event in the
greater Vancouver area in the fall of 2009
which was very well attended by dozens of
local interfaith organizations. We coordinated
a community wide Olympic peace prayer in
February 2010. We did a fundraising and
community prayer event for the people of
Haiti. We gave a presentation on
environmental stewardship at the University of
Victoria in February 2010.Our group was
awarded an Ambassador of Peace
designation from the Federation for World
Peace at a conference where we presented
on the Hindu perspective in peacebuilding.
We want to continue to work with other
Circles of URI and local interfaith associations
to organize the North America Summit 2011
in Vancouver.
Description: We are made up of visible
minority clergy serving visible minority
communities of historic faiths in the lower
Mainland, primarily Surrey, Delta, and
Richmond. Our mission is to support visible
minority clergy through friendship, prayer and
devotions. We discuss common issues and
problems to take action of a spiritual nature.
During the past years, we have joined others
in prayers over the Taiwan earthquake,
Gujarat earthquake, and South American
flood. During the conflict in Kashmir, we
appealed to the Presidents of India, Pakistan,
and the Kashmir Premier to labor towards a
peaceful solution to the conflict. We also
appealed to the president of the USA to
desist attack on Iraq. We were represented
at the PWR Cape Town, SLC URI-NA
Summit, UN- Peace Summit, LANAINConnect and Rio Global URI.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Acharya S. P. Dwivedi
#4, 12738-66 Ave.
Surrey, British Columbia
V3W 1P3 Canada
(1) 604-507-3099
spdwivedi@shaw.ca
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Eprahim AlKhaliq
Royal Canadian Legion Seniors Centre
7251 Langton Rd, Apt 306
Richmond, British Columbia
V7C 4R6 Canada
+1 (604) 507-3032
+1 (604) 537-4484
+1 (604) 507-3032
alkhaliq5@yahoo.ca
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Lamo Tsewang
11815 82nd Ave.
Deita, British Columbia
V4C-2CG Canada
(1) 778-785-1096
darje@dccnet.com
197
but around the world. We will then mandate
the wise and harmonious ways Mother Earth's
gifts should be safely and sustainably
developed, as well as, when development is
not appropriate, no matter how much profit is
to be made. Our Sacred Places and the
Healthful Life of our Beloved Mother Earth are
not for sale and exploitation!
Protecting and Restoring the Sacred
Purpose: Protecting and Restoring the
Sacred
Description: Our Indigenous Peoples and
allies need are working to rebuild and reunify
the Americas and beyond, utilizing the
Guiding Principles of The Fourth Way.
Primary Contact:
Hereditary Chief Philip Nathan Lane Jr.
PO Box 75028
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada V4A0B1
(1) 604 542-8991
(1) (604) 812-5434 / (1) (604) 542-8994
phillanejr@gmail.com / 4worlds@uleth.ca
Skype Name: plane1234
1. We have the ancient prophecies and a
clear vision of an emerging future of social
justice and collective prosperity for the
Americas, and beyond, which we will, as
promised, co-create with all members of the
Human Family. This new era will occur assure
as the sun rises every morning.
2. We have a spiritual foundation of guiding
principles and values that empowered us to
survive a great spiritual winter that was filled,
at times, with the utmost human cruelty,
violence, injustice, abuse, and physical and
cultural genocide. In spite of this, throughout
the Americas, increasingly, our Indigenous
relatives are reawakening to their spiritual and
cultural identities and are healing their Sacred
Relationships with all members of the Human
Family.
Secondary Contact:
Ms. Rebecca Tobias
1240 Shavington Street
North Vancouver,
Canada V7L 1L2
(1) 310 916 8888
rebecca@raoulwallenberginstitute.org
Skype Name: rebecca.tobias
URI Vancouver CC
3. Together, with our allies, we have the
cultural, spiritual, scientific, technological,
social, environmental, economic and
agricultural capacities and wisdom needed to
co-create and rebuild our Tribes and Nations
stronger than ever before.
Purpose: To carry out the work of the URI in
Vancouver.
Description: We have held a 12 hour vigil
observing International Day of Peace each
year for the past four years. One of the
highlights this year was a Earth Healing Ritual
created by one of the members of Interfaith
Community Church.
4. Our Indigenous Peoples, with the support
of our allies, have the collective material
resources to bring our greatest dreams and
visions to reality and to fully protect and heal
our Beloved Mother. Collectively our growing
social capital, our land base, our natural
resources, including water, petroleum, natural
gas, timber, rare minerals and gems, fishing
and hunting rights and those rights and
resources we have still to justly acquire, will
soon enable us to become a major economic
and spiritual force not only in the Americas,
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Barry F. H. Cooke
305 41st Ave. West
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5Y 2S5 Canada
(1) 604-321-1302
sbcooke@telus.net
198
Purpose: We seek to be faithful stewards of
God's Creation by responding to global
warming through the promotion of energy
conservation, energy efficiency, and
renewable energy. This ministry intends to
protect the earth's ecosystems, safeguard
public health, and ensure sufficient,
sustainable energy for all.
UNITED STATES
BALTIMORE
URI of Greater Baltimore
Bal timore
Purpose: To promote peace, justice, healing,
and interfaith cooperation in the city of
Baltimore.
Description: We have hosted several
Interfaith Dialogues in collaboration with
groups in our wider community with a local
veteran’s return and community healing
organization (Soldier’s Heart Seattle); and the
Islamic Educational Center of Seattle (IECS.)
Description: We meet on the third Tuesday
of every month for fellowship, and then have a
special program. The individual, interfaith
relationships that develop as well as the
opportunity to learn about and appreciate the
religious orientations of others are very
valuable. There has been a constant effort by
active members to make the URI cause known
to the community through a variety of
contacts. We emphasize the search to
understand the similarities and differences
between other religions and one's own,
especially in terms of the distinctions between
eternal beliefs vs. cultural beliefs as well as
the essence of a religion vs. erroneous
expressions of the religion. We also
coordinate monthly mailings to promote our
next meeting, summarize the last meeting and
announce related news. After five years of
monthly meetings which featured guest
presenters from various faiths, members now
promote URI among other area groups and
send newsletters when appropriate.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rachel Medema
220 Montgomery St., Ste. 450
San Francisco CA 94104 United States
+1 (415) 391-4214
info@interfaithpower.org
www.interfaithpower.org
Culver City Area Interfaith
Interfaith Alliance CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote the
exercise of faith and practice of religion in
Culver City, California and adjacent areas; to
cultivate a friendly cooperative and synergistic
relationship between the city's government
and religious communities to build
partnerships among the religious
congregations to develop affective ministries
for Culver City residents; and to work
together for the benefit of the total community
without compromising doctrinal values or
beliefs.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
David W. Cammack
Fairhaven C-31
7200 3rd Avenue
Sykesville MD 21784 United States
(1) 410-448-3631
(1) 410-552-9475 / (1) 410-539-8665
Description: Following some incidents of
gang related violence at the high school in
1998, the City Council of Culver City, at the
suggestion of Council member Al Vera and
others thought it would be a good idea if the
spiritual leaders of the community were
summoned together to discuss ways that
these problems could be addressed.
Specifically, the City wanted to know if the
houses of worship might be able to help by
CALIFORNIA
California Interfaith Power and Light
CC
199
International essay contest since 2007 for
two groups in different age brackets: under
18 years old, and between 19-25 years old.
In their essay they respond to the following
question: ""Please describe how your
religious or philosophical beliefs about this
world manifest in your behavior to bring about
peace and harmony in this conflict-torn world,
and promote respect and acceptance of
people who have a belief system different
than yours."" Each group's winners receive
$500 for first prize, $300 for second prize,
and $100 for third prize.
providing after school care - safe spaces
where children could go after school until
their parents returned home from work.
Several programs were started. In addition,
our CC hosts events on various discussion
topics from the point of view of their various
faiths traditions for example charity, fasting,
conversion, etc. We also collaborate with
other organizations who are producing events
which we also support, for example: Peace
Sundays and a Martin Luther King Jr.
Memorial Celebration.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jahan Stanizai
9429 Beverlywood Street
Los Angeles, CA 90034
United States
(310) 467-3337
jahanstan@aol.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Raman Kular
5570 Newfields Lane
Dublin, CA 94568
United States
(559) 618-1966
Ikonkar2002@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sura Das
9701 Venice Blvd. #1
Los Angeles, CA 90034
United States
(310) 204-0799
sura@krishna.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Joty Sikand
5570 Newfields Lane
Dublin, CA 94568
United States
1 (510) 304-3643
jotysikand@aol.com
Ik Onkar Peace Foundation
Interfaith Center at the Presidio CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote personal
growth toward Divine Consciousness within
and in relationship to on another, seeking
harmony in the world. It strives to promote
peaceful conflict resolution, encourage
economic and social justice, preserve
planetary beauty and resources, and work
toward peace.
Purpose: Our purpose is to welcome, serve,
and celebrate the diverse faith trditions and
spiritual wisdom of the Bay Area.
Description: In 1995, the Interfaith Center at
the Presidio was incorporated as a nonprofit
organization devoted to interfaith dialogue,
collaboration, friendship, education, and
service. Representatives from seventeen Bay
Area interfaith organizations elect a board
whose mission is to welcome, serve, and
celebrate the diverse spiritual wisdom and
faith traditions of the Bay Area. The Center
cares for and operates the Main Post Chapel
in the Presidio of San Francisco, California.
More than 1,000 events a year are hosted at
the Chapel - worship services, weddings,
Description: The name of this CC comes
from the Punjabi words, Ik - One, and Onkar,
meaning the Creator manifests Its Self in Its
Creation, which is the foundation of Sikh
practice. Our members include multigenerational people from the Muslim, Sikh,
Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish and Bahai
faiths. We feed homeless people during
Christmas times. We have also held a yearly
200
concerts, retreats, and ecumenical, interfaith
gatherings. The Center is largely selfsustaining. The Center is developing an
academy for clergy, seminarians, and lay
leaders focused on respect, friendship, and
collaborative relationships among diverse faith
communities.
Walnut Creek CA 94597
United States
1 (925) 933-6030
1 (925)933-6030
1 (925) 825-7256
eye4cee@aol.com
interfaithccc.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Susan Strouse
PO Box 29055
San Francisco, CA 94129
United States
1 (415) 775-4635
1 (415) 317-4093
smstrouse@interfaith-presidio.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Margaretmary B. Staller
4821 Wolf Way
Concord, CA 94521
United States
(1) 925-682-3021
mbspcg@sbcglobal.net
interfaithcouncilofccc.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sandi Pilon
PO Box 29055
San Francisco, CA 94129
United States
(415) 775-4635
sandi@interfaith-presidio.org
Interfaith Millennium Development Goal
Coalition CC
Purpose: To use legislative advocacy and
education to encourage US commitment to
7% of national income for MDGs.
Interfaith Council of Contra Costa
County CC
Description: We have 20 members who
meet monthly to work with 56 organizations
involved in planning the One Voice of Faith
conference coming up April 20-21, 2010,
addressing global poverty and hunger.
Purpose: Our purpose is to seek a deeper
understanding and nourishment of the value
of human life, especially as fed by our diverse
spiritual foundations. We believe our
openness and commitment to human dignity
will lead to cooperation, reconciliation and
transformation.
Primary Contact
Contact:
act:
Michael Duffy
duffy@usfca.edu
www.point7now.org
Description: We gather congregations and
individuals, lift up minority religious voices,
advocate for communities of faith and the
poor, publish a newsletter, sponsor juvenile
detention and nursing home ministries,
oversee health and social justice arms, lead
public commemorative and educational
events, encourage regional common good
will, and interface with public officials.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
George Wesolek
Archdiocese of San Francisco
One Peter Yorke Way
San Francisco, CA 94109
United States
1 (415) 614-5572
wesolekG@sfarchdiocese.org
www.point7now.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Brian Stein-Webber
1543 Sunnyvale Avenue
201
environmental exhibits and workshops. Our
main focus now is global warming. We
educate and empower people to do what they
can for the environment. Each board member
has a special interest and leads their efforts in
those areas. Our programs include: toxics in
home and yard, how to start enviro ministry in
church, basic stewardship things individuals
can do, creation spirituality, energy issues,
and transportation alternatives.
Marin Interfaith
Interfaith Council CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to celebrate faith
traditions and advocate justice and building
community.
Description: We address the social justice
issues of poverty and the impact of a lack of
healthcare for children. We hold forums with
local clergy and civic leaders for open
discussions, and create spaces for faith
leaders to gather and engage in a featured
topic - to sit, walk, pray, meditate, and to be
present with a diverse gathering of
colleagues. We also have day-long retreats
four times a year, and celebrate Martin Luther
King Jr. Day and the National Day of Prayer.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Deborah Strunk
PO Box 7241
Orange, CA
92863 United States
1 (714) 809-6166
ddemeo@hughes.net
www.ocice.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Carol M. Hovis
1510 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
United States
1 (415) 456-6959
1 (415) 456-6957
programs@marinifc.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Margaret Henke
P. O. Box 555
Tustin CA 92781 United States
1 (714) 731-6775
1 (714) 321-3502
marghenke@cox.net
www.ocice.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Allison Hedley
1510 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
United States
1 (415) 456-6957
programs@marinifc.org
Peace Prayer CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to gather persons
from all traditions and faiths to pray and work
together for peace.
Description: Our primary focus is on prayer,
meditation, and discussion on peace when we
meet each Tuesday at noon. Our second
area of focus is on collaboration with others to
promote peace, understanding, and
cooperation among persons of all faiths.
Each year we participate in the annual
Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service and
Religious Understanding Day coordinated by
our local Interfaith Council and Community
College. We provide peace literature and
prayers from many faith traditions at these and
other community gatherings.
Orange County Interfaith Coalition for
the Environment OCICE
Purpose: Our purpose is to educate, raise
awareness, and empower people to actively
protect and preserve creation through
responsible stewardship.
Description: We represent many different
faith traditions; all of whom have a passion for
protecting our earth home. One highlight is
the Caring for Creation conference held
annually in October, which features
202
Rita R. Semel
Interfaith Center at the Presidio
PO Box 29055
San FranciscoCA
94129 United States
1 (415) 474-1321
1 (415) 673-2190
rrsemel@gmail.com
sfinterfaithcouncil.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Michael Madrigal
P.O. Box 191
San Jacinto, CA 92581
United States
1 (951) 654-2086
1 (951) 654-2432
1 (951) 970- 1370
kwinyil@peoplepc.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Marianna Torrano
PO Box 908
San Jacinto, CA 92581
United States
1 (951) 654-2086
1 (951) 654-7899
mtorrano@hughes.net
SARAH Spiritual and Religious Alliance
for Hope
Purpose: Our purpose is to empower the
community, learn from each other, and
enlighten one another and to create a culture
of peace.
Description: We were established as a
group of interfaith women committed to
making a difference in our community. We
have created a group where we can discuss
and expand our experiences of women's
spirituality in the home, community, and the
world. We want to learn about one another's
cultural and spiritual foundations in order to
enrich our own lives, and together improve our
community. We can learn all of this from each
other through dialogue, community service,
guest speakers, and book discussions. We
know that collaboration is essential to creating
miracles and, like a good parent empowers
her children, so do we empower the
community to make a real difference towards
peace and understanding.
San Francisco Interfaith Council CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to bring people
together to build understanding, serve our
community, and celebrate our diverse faiths
and spiritual traditions.
Description: SFIC provides a wide variety of
programs in the San Francisco area. An
Interfaith Winter Shelter Program is being
coordinated from the Sunday prior to
Thanksgiving until late February thanks to
many of the leaders in the community and
congregations that have provided meals, has
emerged as one of San Francisco’s premier
shelter programs which last year provided
over 8,900 meals and shelter beds to
homeless men in the City.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sande Hart
34 Berlamo Ranch
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
United States
1 (949) 584-7841
sandehart@gmail.com
www.sarah4hope.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Michael Pappas
Interfaith Center at the Presidio
PO Box 29055
San Francisco, CA 94129
United States
1 (415) 474-1321
1 (415) 425-9631
mgpappas.sfic@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Theresa Barnett
34 Berlamo Ranch
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
203
Description:
Description: The Coalition of Welcoming
Congregations (CWC) helps congregations to
bring spirituality out of the closet by
encouraging them to engage the “best
practices” of inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, intersex, queer and questioning
individuals into their spiritual communities. Also
to engage in what we call “sacred activism”
which is to take their spiritual convictions for
social justice/public witness outside the walls
of their meeting space.
In 2010, the CWC hosted two media training
sessions for clergy and lay leaders to be
spokespersons for marriage equality on the
campus of Pacific School of Religion on
January 21-22 and advanced sessions April
29-30. The CWC hosted a LGBT/Mormon
dialogue at the Berkeley Ward of the LDS
church with four LGBT couples who
answered the question “Why Marriage
Matters.” A total of 75 people, mostly
Mormons, attended the event. In conjunction
with California Faith for Equality, CWC was
able to craft talking points for progressive
clergy and religious leaders to use in their
congregations the day of the worship
following the CA Supreme Court decision to
uphold Proposition 8. Proudly, CFE has
asked CWC to use the talking points we
have crafted with congregations statewide
for the “Sunday After” following the federal
court case of “Perry vs. Schwarzenegger.”
Santa Margarita, CA 92688
United States
(1) 949-635-0279
(1) 949-584-7841
sandehart@cox.net
www.sarah4hope.org
Spiritual Alliance for the Earth CC
(S.A.F.E.)
Purpose: To form an interfaith, spiritually
focused ecology movement that allows
people from different traditions to find a
common cause in caring for creation.
Description: S.A.F.E. hosts an interfaith
ceremony and environmental fair to honor and
bless the environment each year on Earth
Day. Currently, SAFE is working with other
URI CCs and local environmental groups to
create a conference around the growing
world water crisis, bringing to together faith
traditions, environmental activists,
government, business, youth, and more to
discover how local engagement and
collaboration can lead to global change.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Donald Frew
1145 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94702
United States
(1) 510-524-2078
dhf3@aol.com
www.cog.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Roland Stringfellow
77 Fairmount Ave. Apt. 320
Oakland, CA
94611 United States
(510) 849-8934
(260) 515-6943
rstringfellow@clgs.org
www.cwcbay.org
The Coalition of Welcoming
Congregations of the Bay Area
Purpose: Our CC brings together religious
leaders, LGBT people of faith and their allies
from a wide range of religious traditions in the
nine-county San Francisco Bay Area to form a
progressive, effective and media-savvy voice
on matters relating to sexuality and religion,
homophobia, and the enfranchisement of
LGBT people within society as a whole.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nancy M. Bacon
1798 Scenic Avenue
Apartment 519
Berkeley CA 94709 United States
(661) 900-5536
NancyBMFT@sbcglobal.net
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1 (310) 390-5220
rogerweaton@gmail.com
www.udcworld.org
The Interfaith Experience CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to further interfaith
bridge building and cooperation.
URI Global Support Staff Deepening
the Journey
Primary Contact:
Contact:
David S. Thompson
2212 K. Street
Sacramento, CA 95816 United States
(916) 254-8243
(916) 447-2712
revdrdavid@prodigy.net
www.experiencesaacramento.org
Purpose: To deepen our understanding and
experience of diverse religions, spiritual
expressions and indigenous traditions and to
ground our work in the URI Preamble,
Purpose and Principles.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Judy Tyzzer
848 Swanston Drive
Sacramento, CA
95818 United States
(916) 254-8243
(916) 446-8991
(916) 719-9885
judytyzzer@sbcglobal.net
www.experiencesaacramento.org
Description: As a group supporting the URI
Global Office, it is important that we deepen
our journey and understand all that we do and
why. We invite in different faith traditions to
learn and participate in their ceremonies.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Kay Markham
P.O. Box 29242
San Francisco, CA 94129
United States
1 (415) 561-2300
kmarkham@uri.org
U nity and Diversity World Council CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to establish and
sustain a local-to-global cooperating body of
individuals, groups, and networks for the
pursuit of peace, justice, and an
environmentally sustainable civilization for all
races, cultures, and religions based on
universal ethical and spiritual values.
URI of the Monterey
Monterey Peninsula CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to create a local
community of individuals from diverse faiths
and spiritual traditions who will meet to build
friendship and foster education,
understanding and appreciation for one
another's religious and spiritual traditions.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Leland Stewart
PO Box 661401
Los Angeles, CA 90066-9201 United States
1 (310) 391-5735
udcworld1@yahoo.com
www.udcworld.org
Description: We, the ladies of Monterey
Peninsula, meet often to have tea and to
discuss any issues we want.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Hajjia Katharina Harlow
P.O. Box 51817
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
United States
(1) 831-372-1118
(1) 408-625-0235
katharlow@aol.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Roger Eaton
355 Serrano Drive, Apt 4F
San Francisco, CA
94132 United States
205
World’s Religions - now an alliance
organization only) which, in 2011 has
decentralized into regional groups. Our
current WICPWR membership is mostly
comprised of board members of that previous
entity. During it’s time (approx. 5 years)
SCCPWR was involved in creating many
local interfaith events and Pre-Parliament of
the World’s Religions events. As a “new”
group we are now developing different
projects. Currently some of our committees
are youth, the arts and a jail ministry. We also
organized a most successful Sound of Peace
Singing Bowls Concert earlier this year. Other
than planning our own events at this time, we
actively support and co-sponsor other
organizations events. We have several
members who are ordained ministers of
various traditions.
URI San Francisco Peninsula CC
Purpose: To educate about matters of social
concern; to act, listen, share thoughts, and
reinforce personal beliefs.
Description: The primary way we contribute
to URI's purpose is by sharing each member's
faith with other members. Any questions may
be asked of the faith presenter, and all
members respect each other's beliefs and
practices.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Margaret J. Jones
62 Crystal Springs Road
San Mateo, CA 94402
United States
(1) 650-401-6828
(1) 423-349-6119
(1) 423-773-3204
ma6656@aol.com
Primary Contact:
Debrah Daya Friedland Van Zyl
1448 Berkeley Street: # B
Santa Monica, CA 90404
United States
(1) 310 453 2101
(1) 310 526 1492
avzbooks@yahoo.com
awarenessnow@gmail.com
Skype Name: debrahvanzyl155
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Oscar E. Koechlin
1214 Shafter Street
San MateoCA
94402 United States
1 (650) 345-4826
okoechlin@comcast.net
Secondary Contact:
Linda Groff
8160 Manitoba ST # 315
Playa del Rey, CA 90293-8640
United States
(1) 310 – 890-7976
ljgroff@csudh.edu
Westside Interfaith Council For a
Parliament of World’s Religions
(WICPWR)
Purpose: To be a bridge between our
Parliament group in our local (Los Angeles/So
Cal) community with URI and other interfaith
communities and to model interfaith cooperation supporting each others projects
and initiatives. As a URI CC, we also want to
participate and share ideas with other CC’s
and the URI global network.
Women's Interfaith Circle of Service
Purpose: Our purpose is to provide a positive
and respectful interfaith forum and to respect
one another's service projects.
Description: WICPWR (Westside Interfaith
Council for a Parliament of World’s Religion)
is an offshoot of the original SCCPWR
(Southern CA Committee for a Parliament of
Description: The Women's Interfaith Circle
of Service is composed of women
representing various service groups affiliated
with different religions. The Interfaith Circle
206
1 (415) 342-2650
ForgivenessDay@sbcglobal.net
provides a respectable forum for the sharing
each group's religious ideas and offers
voluntarily support to each group's service
project. We have activities two to three times
a month which include seminars, retreats, and
conferences for greater learning, and for
good. We sponsor fundraising for the
Schools for Africa project among others.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Eileen Barker
20 Sunnyside Avenue, Ste A-268
Mill Valley, CA 94941 United States
1 (415) 459-7274
forgivenessday@gmail.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Tomiko Nojima
307 Zagora Drive
Danville, CA 94506
United States
1 (925) 736-3321
1 (925) 984-1314
nojima@gmail.com
COLORADO
Interfaith Council at Stapleton
Purpose: Our mission is to encourage
awareness of spiritual dimension of people
and to enhance the development of and
education about various religious faiths in the
Denver Community, specifically in the
Stapleton redevelopment area, by promoting
dialogue and discussion between the various
religious faiths in a safe and neutral
environment.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Pat Fleischman
280 Caralsbad Court
San Rafael, CA 94903
United States
1 (415) 472-2418
patf1800@sbcglobal.net
Description: Our 15 members meet on the
second Wednesday of every month to do the
Trilog Interfaith workshop, and for the past
three years we have participated in the
Science and Spirituality Conference where
we explored the convergence of spirituality
and science.
W orldwide Forgiveness Alliance CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to globalize the
healing spirit of forgiveness.
Description: We are working on holding
forgiveness workshops with chemically
dependent women; and collaborating with
Community Action Marin on a program for the
homeless and mentally ill; and on a
fundraising concert for foster children. Setting
up an International Forgiveness Day to be
held the first Sunday of every August. We
have 45 volunteers working annually on
Forgiveness Day, and a core team of 20 in the
CC. Visit www.forgivenessday.org.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
John Denker
6530 Upham Street
Arvada, CO 80103
United States
1 (303) 421-6799
revjdenker@aol.com
www.binstitute.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Peggy Yujiri
3582 Allison St.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
United States
1 (303) 422-2676
pyujiri@msn.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Robert Plath
20 Sunnyside Avenue, Ste A-268
Mill Valley, CA 94941
United States
1 (415) 381-3372
207
classrooms, community cecenters and extracurricular youth programming. Likewise, we
will continue to bring Encounter Point and
accompanying Arabic Screening Guide to
villages, refugee camps and community
centers in Palestinian Society.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Just Vision CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to inform local and
international audiences about underdocumented Palestinian- Israeli civilian efforts
to resolve the conflict non-violently. Using
media and educational tools, we seek to raise
awareness and expose Israelis, Palestinian,
broader Arab and American audiences to
non-violent civic peacebuilders from both
sides of the conflict who are working together
to foster understanding and trust. Through
education we seek to inspire those who are
not yet involved to explore and take part in the
range of sectors in which conflict resolution
work is happening.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ronit Avni
1616 P Street NW, Ste 340
Washington, DC 20036
United States
(1) 202-232-6821
ronit@justvision.org
justvision.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Nadav Greenberg
1216 P Street NW, Suite 340
Washington, DC 20036
United States
1 (202) 232-6821
nadav@justvision.org
www.justvision.org
Description: We are currently reconceptualizing and redesigning our website
to include new areas of functionality, as well
as a Learning Center, a Media Center, a
Press Section, a revamped Homepage and
What You can Do section. Our aim is to make
all of our media as accessible as possible to
journalists, educators and community leaders
in order to broaden awareness about Israeli
and Palestinian peace workers. Just Vision is
also producing a timely and powerful new film,
Buldrus Has a Hammer (working title): A
Palestinian Community organizer unites all
Palestinian Political factions along with Israelis
in a Gandhian struggle to save his village,
unleashing a non violent movement that is
gaining ground today. Finally, new educational
and training initiatives are also underway. In
the U.S., we are focusing our outreach on four
target cities with large concentration of Arab,
Jewish and Muslim communities (Washington
DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit) where
we are introducing facilitators, teachers, youth
organizers and interfaith leaders to our
materials, including our classroom and
community screening guides, website and
films. We will continue to conduct outreach
to ensure that Encounter Point and an
accompanying Hebrew Classroom Screening
Guide are incorporated into Israeli
FLORIDA
Center for Religious Tolerance
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote peace
and harmony through spiritually-based
interfaith activities in the Middle East and in
the United States.
Description: In support of interfaith work
with Palestine and Israel, the Women's
Empowerment group meets once or twice a
month to explore the role of women in the
healing of nations. We have projects that
include food drives for the hungry,
Grandparents Day in senior care centers, and
support for issues such as racial hate crimes.
We are looking to expand to other areas like
Miami beyond our local community in
Sarasota, Florida.
208
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Andrea Blanch
520 Ralph Street
SarasotaFL
34242 United States
(1) 941-312-9795
akblanch@aol.com
www.c-r-t.org
ILLINOIS
Euphrates Cooperation Circle
Purpose: Our purpose is to improve relations
between the Middle East and West by
providing educational, cultural and
interpersonal dialogue and programming
which focuses on what unites us rather than
divides us. Euphrates' purpose is to provide
fresh views and accurate information to begin
to build a movement of North Americans who
are better informed about the Middle East and
the common ground that exists between the
three Abrahamic monotheistic faiths, Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Robin Saenger
36 Ada St
Tarpon Springs FL 34689
United States
(1) 727-934-2379
robinsaenger@hotmail.com
www.c-r-t.org
Description: Euphrates currently operates in
four main areas: A) Travel Study Program Euphrates is partnering with the Center for
Ecological Living and Learning (CELL)
(www.cellonline.org) to offer its first student
abroad program to the Middle East. The
Winter 2011 program focuses on a theme of
sustainability and peace building. The group
will explore the work of various organizations
in Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Jordan,
and will be introduced to practical peace
building efforts, as well as environmental
sustainability initiatives, some of which involve
cooperative efforts across borders and
cultural boundaries that are taking place
presently in the region. B.) Student
Fellowships & “Campus Base” Program Euphrates is partnering with Principia College
(www.principia.edu/college) and working with
undergraduate student Fellows in our think
tank, research branch. Euphrates’ Student
Fellowship program calls upon
undergraduates to achieve a baseline
understanding of important players in the
Middle East, to look beyond headlines and
politically motivated arguments, and to make
connections between their own lives and the
Middle East. They’ll also gain opportunities
and skills to respond to this region’s needs
through actions such as publishing and
making connections with others in their
communities. C.) Media activities
Kashi Foundation CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to awaken a radical
awareness about one's spiritual self and the
issues that face the world today.
Description: We are an interfaith spiritual
community of long duration. Among our many
practices is the teaching of yoga. We recently
created a separate non-profit named By the
River which demonstrates care for seniors
who are living below the poverty level.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Anjani Cirillo
11155 Roseland Road, #10
Sebastian FL 32958
United States
1 (772) 589-1403 ext 112
swamianjani@kashi.org
www.kashi.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Mohan Das
11155 Roseland Road, #10
Sebastian, FL 32958
United States
1 (772) 589-1403 ext 106
mohan@kashi.org
www.kashi.org
209
(documentary, video shorts) - On the 6th
anniversary of the U.S. invasion, Euphrates
filmed interviews with top-evel Iraqi
government officials about political evolution
and covered street scenes and conversations
that provided viewers with a taste of Baghdad
in March 2009. Filming will continue in the
future. Short films are also being created by
the Euphrates student Design Team, both for
promotional and educational purposes, and
these will be made available as a resource on
the web. D.) 9/11 Summit - Euphrates
Institute and Principia College’s George A.
Andrews Distinguished Speaker Series will
host Transforming the 9/11 Era. This
gathering is the first of its kind in the US
Midwest. The event will bring together leaders
in the areas of religion, politics and
environmental sustainability who are working
concordantly on relevant issues in the Middle
East from a place of common purpose,
humanity and compassion. The summit,
intended to “inform, inspire, and transform,”
will take place September 9–11, 2011, in
Elsah, Illinois on the Principia College
Campus, and will also introduce its attendees
to the relevance and significance of the
upcoming UN International Day of Peace
taking place just days after our program. We
also aspire to take full advantage of our
unique position here in the Midwest to
introduce North Americans to the enriching
possibilities found through interfaith and
intercultural exchange. We want to establish
ourselves as an interactive community
resource for those seeking better information,
and to offer the opportunity for dialogue and
education which highlights the importance of
interfaith cooperation both here and in the
Middle East. Being a Cooperation Circle of
URI will serve to broaden this opportunity for
those in the Midwest who at present may not
yet have experienced interfaith dialogue, while
also encouraging those already engaging with
their communities.
United States
(1) 618-374-5454
(1) 201-378-3524
janessagans@me.com
www.euphratesinstitute.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Hillary Austin
4464 Russel Blvrd, 3w
St. Louis, Missouri 63110
United States
(1) 618-374-5454
(1) 216-513-0182
hillary@euphratesinstitute.org
INDIANA
Muncie Interfaith Fellowship
Fellow ship
Purpose: Our purpose is to foster
understanding between religious faiths and
serve as an opportunity for people from
different religious traditions to share and
appreciate each other's teachings while
working together for the good of the Muncie
community.
Description: The Muncie Interfaith
Fellowship is an existing group that has been
going strong for a number of years. In addition
to a monthly dialogue group that attracts a
core of 10-20 people, we hold larger public
interfaith events drawing hundreds of people,
such as 9/11 commemorative services,
Thanksgiving events, interfaith dinners, events
honoring the International Day of Peace, and
fundraisers for the local food pantry. We try to
get two people from each tradition to
represent the fellowship in their own places of
worship, and to be a liaison. We have a
weekly radio show on a local station. Archives
are available at
www.bsu.edu/cpcs/fellowship.htm.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
George Wolfe
3304 W. Ethel Ave.
Muncie, IN 47304
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Janessa Gans Wilder
Euphrates Institute, I Maybeck PIace
Elsah, IL 62028
210
4046 Windhurst Court
Lilburn, GA 30047
United States
1 (404) 374-1162
1 (678) 613-6739
aewnowtime@aol.com
www.spiritoftruthfoundation.com
United States
1 (765) 285-5418
1 (765) 284-1195
1 (765) 717-3978
wolfe.wm@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Susan I. Magrath
3304 W Ethel Avenue
Muncie, IN 47304
United States
1 (765) 748-8851
simagrath@bsu.edu
MISSOURI
Raoul Wallenberg
Wallen berg Institute of Ethics
CC
Purpose: The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of
Ethics designs and facilitates interfaith and
inter-cultural programming that serves to
foster a culture of peace. Its humanitarian
programs are aimed at community building
and the resolution of conflicts based on the
foundational values of equity, justice,
compassion and mutual respect.
MARYLAND
Spirit of Truth Foundation CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to build upon the
foundation we have laid to continue to
promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation
(and intercultural cooperation), to end
religiously motivated violence (and violence of
any kind) and to create cultures of peace,
justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.
Description: The three major projects and
programs that we are involved in are
community building through Internet dialogue
projects; Golden Rule and ethics education
programming for youth and adults; and the
study and facilitation of interpersonal and
group methods of conflict resolution and
reconciliation.
Description: The Spirit of Truth Foundation
(STF) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization
founded in 1991. The STF expands the
paradigm for leadership development through
the implementation of programs and services
that expose our local communities to an
expanded worldview through the facilitation of
interfaith, intergenerational, and intercultural
dialogues and programs.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Rebecca Gonzales-Tobias
13413 Pardissi Court
Maryland Heights, MO 63146
United States
(1) 310-916-8888
Rebecca@RaoulWallenbergInstitute.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Michael A. Ware
3604 Skip Jack Court
Abingdon, MD 21009
United States
(1) 443-423-9066
trailmixgreen@aol.com
www.spiritoftruthfoundation.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Roger Eaton
355 Serrano Drive, Apt 4F
San Francisco, CA 94132
United States
(1) 415-933-0153
rogerweaton@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Audri S. Williams
211
with the idea that they are seen as part of a
collective group.
NEVADA
Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada
Description:
Description We began with A World
Alliance of Interfaith Clergy and developed its
mission and purpose to become the home
and support network of interfaith clergy. We
have developed partnerships with several
ministries and organizations. Upon developing
a relationship with URI at the Parliament of
Worlds Religion’s (P.W.R.) in Barcelona and
Melbourne, URI’s CC model seemed to be a
natural fit for A World Alliance’s concept of
spiritual activism. From this concept, IGCC
was formed within A World Alliance. A
steering committee was formed in 2010with
representatives from our diverse groups to
form our first CC.
Purpose:
Purpose: To facilitate the unity of the
interfaith community.
Description: The highlight of our work now is
a youth camp called Camp Anytown. We
bring 70-80 kids together twice a year for four
days and take them through a process of self
understanding, looking at their biases, etc. All
ethnicities, income levels, and cultures are
welcome to attend. ICSN works with school
districts to advertise the program to
counselors and kids. Kids also come from
neighboring schools/camps for troubled
youth. This is major program in our local
community. We have a curriculum and DVD.
Another highlight was the ICSN sponsorship
of the URI/NAIN meeting in Las Vegas in
2004. One great part of the meeting was the
feast put on by the Muslims with dancing and
poetry and drumming from the different
Muslim countries, so the various Muslim
ethnicities and cultures were shared.
Primary Contact
Contact:
act:
Robert W. Hrasna
108 Mt. Tabor Way, Apartment 1
Ocean Grove, NJ 07756 United States
(732) 604-1856
roberthrasna@gmail.com
www.worldinterfaithclergy.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Karen Boyett
PO Box 73070
Las Vegas, NV 89170
United States
(1) 702-321-1160
pluralism@interfaithsn.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Claudia Roblee
423 Mill Pond Lane
Brighton, MI
48116 United States
(810) 599-3946
croblee178972mi@comcast.net
NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
The Interfaith Gateway
Gatew ay Cooperation
Circle
Mid Hudson Valley URI CC
Purpose: Our vision is to provide an allembracing community of members of all
wisdom traditions in the Hudson Valley region.
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote the
ministries of spiritual leaders in their activism
using an Interfaith Model. IGCC will do this by
providing resources and mentoring for
Spiritual Leaders. It is the intention of the
IGCC to help form and build other Interfaith
Clergy-based Cooperation Circles (CC's),
Description: We work to support interfaith
dialogue in the Hudson Valley Region through
a variety of interfaith events and through
networking with existing religious
212
storf@msn.com
organizations to make them aware of URI and
its goals.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Deborah Moldow
251-B Heritage Hills
Somers, NY 10589
United States
1 (914) 669-0133
revdeb1@comcast.net
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Betsy G. Stang
17 Jonet Lane
Bearsville, NY 12409
United States
(1) 845-679-2331
(1) 845-679-6347
(1) 845-679-9764
bebird@aol.com
URI of New York CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
James Davis
17 Jonet Lane
Bearsville, NY 12409
United States
(1) 845-339-8226
jimcdavis@aol.com
Purpose: Our purpose is to further the
purpose, principles, and charter of the URI in
New York City and to create interfaith
dialogue in the wake of the September 11th
tragedy.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Betsy G. Stang
17 Jonet Lane
Bearsville NY 12409 United States
(1) 845-679-6347
bebird@aol.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ilfra Halley
02 Pine Street
West Hurley, NY
12491 United States
1 (845) 679-0353
ltreebear@aol.com
Unity Made Visible, a Cooperation
Circle of the URI
Purpose: To create opportunities for
education, dialogue, and community among
people of all beliefs.
Description: In an initial program, leaders
from Jewish, Christian and Muslim
communities presented their perspective on
customs and practices of prayer in a program
which attracted 200 people. Musicians from
each tradition presented the role and context
of music in prayer services, and the event
concluded with a sharing of food from the
different backgrounds. Since then, smaller
groups have gathered around specific
interests within our CC, specifically music,
sports, food, learning and peace pole
dedications.
Women
Wom en Transcending Boundaries
Purpose: Women transcending Boundaries is
an equalitarian community of women from
many faiths and cultural traditions. Through
programs, events and social interaction we
seek to nurture mutual respect and
understanding through education and service.
Description: Our recent highlights include
international dinners, a Tent of Abraham
Walk, a Tapestry Garden and a county wide
endeavor called A-OK! Acts of Kindness
weekend (September 9/11) to build
community through service projects. Please
visit www.wtb.org for more information.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Paul D. Storfer
14 Pine Road
Bedford Hills, NY 10507-2108
United States
1 (914) 729-6333
213
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Danya M. Wellmon
201 Butternut Dr.
Syracuse, NY 13214
United States
(315) 446-7156
(315) 430-3092
wellmond@msn.com
wtb.org
Pat Moore
1571 Queens Road West
Charlotte, NC
28207 United States
(1) 704-333-9054
(1) 704-332-1546
(1) 704-333-9054
jpmoore@carolina.rr.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gay Montague
7546 Marble DR
Liverpool, NY 13088
United States
(315) 415-0734
graceofsummer@yahoo.com
URI of Henderson County, NC
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote peace in
our community by promoting understanding
among the religions present in Henderson
County as well as promoting peace inwardly,
locally, and globally and to be a sign of peace
in our community and world.
NORTH CAROLINA
Description: We have been discussing ways
to bring healing to places that have
experienced religiously motivated violence
through initiating concentrated meditation
practice at these site locations.
United Religions of Charlotte CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to learn effective
methods of cultural cooperation; to honor and
appreciate the religious traditions of all; to
demonstrate values of tolerance and fairness;
and to promote peace and understanding
through developing trust relationships,
education, and advocacy.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ronnie Pepper
222 Leverette Drive
Hendersonville, NC 28791 United States
1 (828) 692-3344
rpepper@wcca.net
Description: We meet monthly and recently
have been studying Non-Violent
Communication, A Language of Life, by
Marshall Rosenberg. For eight years we
joined many others around the world and
other organizations in our community in a
celebration of United Nations International
Peace Day.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Interfaith Forum of Greenville
Purpose: The Interfaith Forum of Greenville is
a non-discriminatory coalition of faith
communities and individuals that promotes
religious freedom and interfaith dialogue. Its
primary purpose is to build understanding,
respect and cooperation among the various
religious groups in our community, our region,
our nation and our world.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
John K. Moore
1571 Queens Road West
Charlotte, NC 28207 United States
1 (704) 333-9054
1 (704) 332-1546
jpmoore@carolina.rr.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Laurie Rovin
104 Longstreet Drive
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
214
Jonesborough, TN 37659
United States
1 (423) 349-6119 / 1 (423) 773-3204
simpleintn@yahoo.com
Greer, SC 29650
United States
1 (864) 467-3650
1 (864) 242-9100
1 (864) 630-9617
lrovin@pendletonplace.org
TEXAS
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Tony McDade
1100 S Main St
Greenville, SC 29601
United States
1 (864) 271-3424
TonyMcDade@cs.com
Rothko Chapel CC
Purpose: The Chapel has two vocations:
contemplation and action. It is a place alive
with religions ceremonies of all faiths, and
where the experience and understanding of all
traditions are encouraged and made available.
Action takes form in supporting human rights,
and thus the Chapel has become a rallying
place for all people concerned with peace,
freedom, and social justice throughout the
world.
TENNESSEE
TENNESSEE
Northeast Tennessee Chapter URI CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote
awareness, respect, and cooperation among
the diverse religions of Northeast Tennessee.
Description: The Rothko Chapel is delighted
to bring a distinguished roster of outstanding
intellectuals, poets, musicians, and journalists
to speak and perform during its 2009-2010
season of public programs. The programs
include an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and
programs commemorating Human Rights Day
and Martin Luther King's Birthday. All
programs are free and open to the public.
Description: For the past six years, we have
held an annual interfaith Thanksgiving dinner
called the Gratitude Dinner. This year we had
almost 90 people in attendance of the Hindu,
Muslim, Wiccan, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist,
and Native American faiths and traditions. We
danced the Dance of Universal Peace with joy
and wonderment of all that is. We have met
three times with Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist
people for discussion, mutual learning and
knowledge.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Emilee M. Whitehurst
1409 Sul Ross
Houston, TX 77006
United States
1 (713) 524-9839
emilee@rothkochapel.org
www.rothkochapel.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jacqueline Luck
Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
PO Box 8383
Johnson City, TN 37615
United States
1 (423) 477-7661
1 (423) 677-8710
jacqueline.luck@gmail.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Suna Umari
1409 Sul Ross
Houston, TX 77006
United States
(1) 713-524-9839
suna@rothkochapel.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Janet "Sam" Jones
152 Booher Rd
215
Unity PeaceMakers/Houston Interfaith
Forum CC
UTAH
Utah CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to serve the greater
Houston Interfaith community by promoting
deepened mutual understanding, harmony,
and peace.
Purpose: Our purpose is to provide an
interfaith center for celebration, learning and
healing.
Description: In existence since 2002,
UPM/HIF provides a variety of programs on
inner and outer peace and interfaith
cooperation. Our major events in 2009
included a series of classes on the Wisdom of
Gandhi, a Language of Peace Dinner,
Concert and Global Café at a local health
food market, sponsorship of Dialogue Racism
and speakers on topics such as Nonviolent
Communication, 10,000 Villages and the
United Nations International Day of Peace. In
addition, we support the activities of other
interfaith groups such as the Gandhi Library,
the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue, the Boniuk
Center for Religious Tolerance, Interfaith
Ministries and the Amazing Faiths Dinner
Dialogues. More information is available at
the web site:
www.unityhouston.org/ministry/unity-peacemakers.
Description: In 2009, the Utah URI CC held
a benefit for Uganda to raise funds for the
children, which were sent to Father Centurio
Olaboro to purchase land for planting crops.
They have since had a good harvest and it is
now in its second growing season. We also
bonded with St Olafs Catholic Church in
Bountiful, Utah where Father Olaboro spoke,
resulting in a donation of $1000 for Uganda.
The Temple of Understanding in New York
has also giving us money for Father Oloboro,
as well as the Interethnic Health Alliance, and
Engineers Without Borders. These groups
have been to Brianna Mary Hill Orphanage to
build a new classroom in Uganda, and have
also have set up solar power for two other
schools. A third grade teacher and her class
donated enough funds to enable all the
children at Father Olaboro's orphanage at
Uganda Martyrs Orphans Projects to have
mosquito nets, and Bill Oliver from our CC
gave the Orphanage the funds for a piano
keyboard.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ann Clark
2314 Gray Falls Drive
Houston, TX 77077
United States
1 (281) 496-5224
abclark1359@sbcglobal.net
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Steve Ritchey
3332 Silver Fork
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
United States
1 (216) 965-4301
sritchey@synergisticsys.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Katie Zammito
1 (713) 894-9351
kzammito@comcast.net
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Marsha Pilgeram
1120 East 400 North
Bountiful, UT 84010
United States
1 (801) 298-7496
1 (801) 879-5068
shanthi22@earthlink.net
216
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Kia Scherr
2610 Adial Road
Faber, VA 22938
United States
1 (757) 644-3380
kia@synchronicity.org
VIRGINIA
Interfaith
In terfaith Cooperation Circle - Central
Virginia
Purpose: Our purpose is to foster a culture of
peace and understanding by creating
opportunities for interfaith community,
exploration, healing, and celebration.
WASHINGTON
Description: The Interfaith Cooperation
Circle of Central Virginia is still working to
fulfill our purpose of fostering a culture of
peace and understanding by creating
opportunities for interfaith community,
exploration, heeling and celebration. To this
end, we recently hosted a celebration for the
International Day of Peace on the evening of
Monday, September 21. The event featured
musicians---from an internationally known
cellist to a virtuoso banjo player-songs of
peace, news of cease-fires, poetry reading,
interfaith chanting, a peace-day slide show,
and story-telling. It was held at the Unity
Church in Charlottesville, VA was cosponsored by several partners: Amnesty
International Group 157, Charlottesville
Center for Peace and Justice, The Gesher
Center, The Harmony Center of the Blue
Ridge, LOTUS Center for World Faiths at
Yogaville, Synchronicity Foundation,
Sojourners (United Church of Christ), United
Nations Association - Blue Ridge Chapter,
and Unity Church. About 75 people
attended, and we raised enough funds for a
modest contribution to URI and other efforts
for peace and reconciliation. This was our
fourth annual Peace Day celebration, and the
feedback has been very positive.
Interfaith Circle of Love CC
Purpose: To create a genuine interfaith
community by celebrating diversity, respecting
one another and embracing compassion. To
evolve into the fullness of being (spirit &
potential) through experience, education,
worship, dialogue, fellowship, and charitable
service.
Description: Annually we host a city-wide
interfaith prayer and music gathering at a local
park (now in our 11th year) followed by a
contemplative walk around the lake. This
gathering was birthed at the URI 72 Hour
Peacebuilding initiative at the turn of the
millennium. We have been discussing ways to
bring healing to places that have experienced
religiously motivated violence through
initiating concentrated meditation practice at
these site locations. We have held a 12+
hour vigil observing International Day of Peace
each year for the past four years. One of the
highlights this year was an "Earth Healing
Ritual" created by one of the members of
Interfaith Community Church.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Karen Lindquist
Interfaith Community Church
1763 NW 62nd St.
Seattle, WA 98107
United States
(1) 206-222-5270 / (1) 206-406-1453
(1) 206-783-1618
unitedreligionsinitiative@yahoo.com
www.interfaithcommunitychurch.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ronald Povich
1878 Simms Road
Stanardsville, VA 22973
United States
1 (434) 990-4220
rpovich@crosslink.net
217
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jamal Rahman
Interfaith Community Church
1763 NW 62nd St.
Seattle WA 98107
United States
1 (206) 434-6054
The Interfaith Network of Washington
Washington
CC
Purpose: Our purpose is to support and
promote interfaith community understanding,
social interaction, and individual spiritual
growth through education, service, and
celebration.
Description: We see a world where all faith
traditions and communities are honored,
respected and celebrated. Our goals include
to discover common ground among faith
traditions; understand and respect the
differences between faith traditions; build
relationships between faith communities;
inspire participation in interfaith programs and
events; celebrate, enjoy, and learn from one
another. Our programs include an annual
Thanksgiving event, youth programs, and the
World Religion education series.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Brahmatmananda
2716 Broadway East
Seattle, WA 98102 United States
1 (360) 435-6373
decairejim@gmail.com
www.theinterfaithnetwork.org
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Tony Salvata
2619 39th Avenue SW
Seattle, WA
98116 United States
(206) 915-8672
tonysa@comcast.net
218
SEAPAC
34 CCs in 7 countries
URI members participate in a peace ritual in
Mindanao, where Peace Secretary Deles
lights candles with her grand-daughter in
February 2011.
Pakigdait CC engages Mindanao civilians and military in peace
trainings and community development in 2011.
SEAPAC Regional Meeting in August 2011.
219
SEAPAC youth at Forum for Youth in
Peacebuilding in Manila in August 2011.
Seventy youth from Mindanao participated in the 10-session Strengthening Interfaith Youth Leadership
training as part of the URI Bowes Award program.
Muslim-Christian Youth for Peace and Development CC members wrote prayers for Japan in wake of Tsunami
and presented General Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Manila with Lotus with prayers in March 2011.
Around 500 people, mostly youth, gathered in Quezon City on September 21 for an IDP celebration on the
theme “Kapayapaan, Ating Karapatan” (Peace is our Right).
220
Description: Our CC has organized a
number of different events and activities. We
have held a multi-faith concert and multi-faith
forum. We hosted a dinner to entertain the
Parliament of Religions team and also
participated in Multi-faith Week. We have
produced a fantastic website and a newsletter
that informs Melbournians about many
interfaith and multi-faith events that are
happening. One of our highlights is the social
meetings where we eat together, listen to
musical performances by some of our
members, and share about our religious
heritage and traditions.
AUSTRALIA
Bumblebee Global Renewal Projects
Purpose: To act as a centralized power
house of creative ideas, solutions, support
systems and structures to assist communities
and like minded organizations around the
globe who work towards sustainable spiritual
wellness and economic renewal. We work
towards an end to global hunger and support
and develop long term sustainable projects in
education, health, agriculture and enterprise
that assist our most poor and marginalized
citizens at the local, national and global level.
Primary
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jessiee K. Singh
5 James Street, Noble Park
Victoria
3174 Australia
(61) 39-547-8956
(61) 41-130-0655
jessieeKS@hotmail.com
www.commonmelbourne.com
Description:
Description We are currently involved in
agricultural education in Nepal, working in
design and the early stages of product
development in Kenya, sending shipments
filled with medical supplies to East Africa, and
establishing a central station for support and
management of these medical supplies. We
are inviting the various members of
organizations and communities to join us.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Norman Currie
njc@ozonline.com.au
http://www.jessie.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Pauline M. Crosbie
PO Box 263, Olinda
Melbourne, Victoria
3799 Australia
b.b.enterprises@hotmail.com
Cultural Infusion CC
Purpose: To promote harmony, diversity,
inclusiveness and well-being.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Anand Shome
7 Harvey Place, Endeavour Hills
Melbourne, Victoria
3802 Australia
(61) 397-080-254
(61) 422-726-483
Description: Our CC recently directed and
produced the opening and closing Melbourne
and International Plenary at the 2009
Parliament of the World's Religions. We are
actively involved in school programs and have
visited 3,000 schools with audiences as big
as 300,000. We also produce numerous
events across Austrailia for various
communities and councils.
COMMON Centre of Melbourne
Multifaith & Others Network
Purpose: Our purpose is unity within
diversity.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jamel Kaur Dhillon
138 Cromwell Street, Collingwood
3066 Australia
221
ecological issues aimed at healing ourselves
and our environment. Through this action, to
create opportunities for interfaith friendship
and learning. To foster ecological and cultural
flourishing through diversity.
(61) 3-9412-6666
jamel.d@culturalinfusion.org.au
Dya Singh World Music Group
Description: We began in August 2008
when a meeting was called for all those of
diverse faiths interested in starting an
ecologically focused interfaith and spiritual
network. Out of this meeting a board was
formed. We launched our organization with a
three part seminar series on Water with high
quality presentations by faith leaders,
scientists and political and community
speakers. We have established
communications with other green oriented
faith networks locally, nationally and
internationally. We are registered as an
incorporated organization.
Purpose: To spread peace, harmony, and
love amongst all humans through spiritual
world music.
Description: Our past activities include
being invited to do a spiritual (nonIslamic) concert in Dubai under the auspices
of the Sikh community there. We were also
invited to the official opening of the first Sikh
Gurdwara in Dubai in January 2010; the
opening and closing ceremonies of the
Parliament of World Religions in December
2009; the anniversary of the Sikh holy
scriptures being ordained as the final 'Guru' of
Sikhism' (5000 Sikh and non-Sikh audience
including Prince Charles) in September 2004;
opening of first ever Sikh Exhibition at the
Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC
(invited guests included senators and White
House representatives); and various other
inter-faith concerts in the USA, UK, Canada,
Kenya, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia over
the last 18 years.
Primary Contact:
Elyse J. Rider
13 Manallack St.
Brunswick, Victoria
3056 Australia
(61) 3-90-770-181
(61) 408-888-334
elyse.greenfaithaus@yahoo.com.au
www.greenfaithaustralia.org
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Dya Singh
No. 5 James Street, Noble Park, Melbourne
Victoria
3174 Australia
(61) 3-9547-8958
dyasingh@gmail.com
www.dyasingh.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Freeman Trebilcock
185 Faraday Street
Carlton, Victoria
3053 Australia
freeman.trebilcock@gmail.com
InterAction Multifaith
Multifaith Youth Network
CC
GreenFaith Australia
Purpose: Building mutually enriching
relationships and respect for identity by
engaging young people in common action for
the common good.
Purpose: To bring together people from
different faiths in responding holistically in
thought, practise, community and spirit to the
ecological problems our diverse society is
facing. To learn from the wisdom of the faith
traditions in responding ethically to our
ecological environment. To act practically on
Description: We are an incorporated
association, registered as a non profit in the
222
state of Victoria. We have a constitution and
an elected board. We are doing more than
running one-off events. We are helping
promote daily interfaith cooperation. Our
young people spend time together, get to
know one another and then serve together.
We are working at universities to get youth
from all backgrounds to work together by
tending a community garden, running clothing
drives, and organizing workshops. We
continue to engage young people in interfaith
by means of service, linking groups and
individuals to make positive change to the
community. InterAction ran an event in
November last year. We brought together
people from all the religious groups at
Monash University. They worked together in
the community garden, served together, grew
food together and then shared a meal
together. It was a great way for them to
connect, learn about one another, and make
friendships. We hope to continue working
with university students and others to foster
friendships between people of different
religious backgrounds and serve others. We
want to help those most in need in our own
community.
WIN Foundation (Women's Interfaith
Network) CC
Purpose:
Our purpose is:
o To provide an opportunity for women
of different faiths & traditions to come
together to share & become a bridge
between families, government, NGOs,
business, academics & communities.
o To provide an opportunity for women
of different faiths and ethical
backgrounds and who are of culturally
and linguistically diverse backgrounds
to come together to share from their
traditions.
o To address issues and concerns
faced by women of different faiths and
ethical backgrounds and of culturally
and linguistically diverse backgrounds
living in Australia.
o To mutually encourage women of
culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds to enrich and enhance
their contribution to Australian society
from their individual faiths, ethics and
values.
o To encourage city/country,
rural/regional connections and
support across Victoria among women
from different faiths and ethical
backgrounds and from culturally and
linguisticall diverse backgrounds. .
o To support Victorian children of
culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds, irrespective of their faith
and ethical backgrounds, and aid and
assist them in their holistic
development.
o To act as a bridge between peoples
and organisations and facilitate and
promote the diverse contribution that
culturally and linguistically diverse
communities as well as the different
faith and ethical traditions bring to
mainstream culture in Victoria.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Freeman Trebilcock
185 Faraday Street
Carlton, Victoria
3053 Australia
(61) 0353-48-7808
(61) 431-034-254
freeman.trebilcock@gmail.com
www.interaction.org.au
Secondary Contact
Contact:
act:
Nireditha Balachandrah
185 Faraday Street
Carlton, Victoria
3053 Australia
(61) 433-238-406
nivy.bala@gmail.com
www.interaction.org.au
223
peacebuilding, democracy education, and
good leadership. We engage in peacebuilding
initiatives and promote the protection of the
environment .
Description: We had a birthing ceremony
with YortaAboriginal Traditional women, who
took us to their sacred site. Since then we
have had various meetings and gatherings
with women and their daughters. For photos
please
view
our
website
www.winfoundation.net. In January 2011 we
will be celebrating Australia Day by bringing
women together to say prayers and work with
the Somalian community to collect gifts and
paint a container for ship to refugee children
in Somalia. We also plan to celebrate
International Women’s Day inMarch 2011.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ros S. An
Wat prey chlak,
Svay Rieng Province
Cambodia
(855) 16-64-03-53
santisena@online.com.kh
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Khieng Mony
Svay Rieng district
Svay Rieng Province
Cambodia
855 - 44 715026
855 - 11439356
samanros@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jessiee K. Singh
5 James Street
Noble Park
3174 Victoria
Australia
(61) 39-547-8956
(61) 41-130-0655
jessieeKS@hotmail.com
www.winfoundation.net
Youth Partner in Development and
Peace CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Heather Abramson
2 Alfred Street, Caulfield
3162 Victoria
Australia
(61) 401-238-882
Purpose: Our purpose is to:
1. Build capacity of the youth through
organizing venues and opportunities for them
to learn from each other and from other
resource persons on necessary skills and
ethics to be good leaders of the future
generation.
2. Impel social development through establish
network and coalition among the youth and
elderly who support youth activities to help
develop their society.
3. Strengthen communication among youths
and leaders, and their communities.
4. Build youth partnership with all youth
nations and international institutions around
the world
5. Build solidarity, peace, and unity among
people with different believe and religion to
end violence in society.
6. Lead to unit peace builder in community
altogether and to create strong voices of
culture of peace.
CAMBODIA
Interfaith Youth Circle of Cambodia
Purpose: To build up peace among youth
through dialogue and friendship in Cambodia.
Description:
Description: The Interfaith Youth Circle of
Cambodia was organized by Sam An, a 25year old Buddhist peace activist in Phnom
Phen. Our members are Muslims, Buddhists,
and Christians who have worked together in
the Cambodia Interfaith Council (CIC) and the
Alliance for Conflict Transformation. We have
monthly workshops and roundtable
discussions among youths from different
religions and faith traditions on topics such as
224
Description: Youth Partner in Development
and Peace, (YPDP) was founded on January
1, 2009 by a group of dynamic young people
who want to impel positive social changes
and promote solidarity, leadership, culture,
development and peace through youth
participation. We believe each and every one
of us has a moral responsibility to our country
and society. By promoting love and creating
friendship and partnership instead of enemies
we can heal the world. In 2009-2010, YPDP
conducted regular team meetings with 50
participants in Phnom Penh where we
discussed and finalized our YPDP work.
YPDP has conducted 4 workshops with 60
participants in Phnom Penh on the specific
topics such as youth morality, religion and
culture, the role of youth in the interfaith work,
and youth and peace. We have presented and
shared ideas, information and experiences
among youth participants from different
universities. Our future plans include projects
related to education, peace, religion, and
technology. All activities will be conducted in
2 provinces (Kandal and Phnom Penh). Some
of our activities include: interfaith public
workshops and forums, interfaith roundtable
discussions, multifaith conferences, and
capacity building trainings on topics such as
workshop, Interfaith Public Forum, Interfaith
communication, public speaking, fundraising
leadership, positive thinking, presentation
skills, and basic report writing and proposal
writing.
INDONESIA
Ahimsa Satya Karuna CC
Purpose: To empower people to become
truly independent and free through living and
practicing the Gandhian lifestyle of simplicity
and refusing to harm anyone or any creature
in our daily life.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Agus I. Udayana
J L Gandapura 22
Denpasar, Bali
80237 Indonesia
(62) 818-43-646
gedesuwantana@yahoo.com
http://www.ashramgandhipuri.com/
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gede Suantana
Sevagram JL Pandu 4 & 6 BR Jabon
Sampalan Tengah
Klungklung, Bali
80114 Indonesia
ghandipuri2000@yahoo.com
Gandhi Puri Ashram CC
Purpose: To promote the Gandhian ideals of
truth, non-violence, peace, universal
brotherhood, and humanitarian service.
Description: Since its inception the ashram
has been very involved in service for
education and peace - prompting activities
that are conducive to a greater awareness of
our religious, cultural, social and economic life
in general. We offer scholarships to
disadvantaged children; organize seminars
and discussion sessions; translate relevant
Gandhian writings into Indonesian,
particularly those that are relevant to current
social problems; and publish books and
pamphlets on different aspects of
interreligious dialogue.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sok Sidon
#94, Sensam Kosal I, Sang Boeung Tompun,
Khan Meanchey
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
(855) 12-688-706
ypdpcambodia@gmail.com
225
Jalan Kelang Lama
Kuala Lumpur
58200 Malaysia
(603) 7782-8303
info@purelife.org.my
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Agus I. Udayana
J L Gandapura 22
Denpasar, Bali
80237 Indonesia
(62) 818-43-646
gedesuwantana@yahoo.com
http://www.ashramgandhipuri.com/
MIN Malaysian Interfaith Network
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Gede Suantana
Sevagram JL Pandu 4 & 6 BR Jabon
Sampalan Tengah
Klungklung, Bali
80114 Indonesia
ghandipuri2000@yahoo.com
Purpose: To promote interfaith
understanding, tolerance, respect,
appreciation & cooperation. To promote our
motto: Treat others as you would like to be
treated (or the Golden Rule or Global Ethic).
Description: We have participated in all
seminars and conferences in Malaysia related
to MIN aims. We have also organized talks on
the common values found in various religions
and brought an exhibit of religions of the
world to different parts of Malaysia. Last year,
we organized a celebration for the UN
International Day of Peace.
MALAYSIA
Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship / Kuala
Lumpur CC
Purpose: To provide a platform and means for
people of different faiths to come together to
promote common principles contained in all
religions, thereby fostering unity in diversity.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
John Gurusamy
26 Jalan 14/29, Petaling Jaya
Selangor
46100 Malaysia
(60) 1-2609-7487
johngurusamy@hotmail.com
www.malaysianinterfaithnetwork.net
Description: Our CC's activities include
monthly talks, seminars, conferences,
workshops and study circles. We also publish
Dharma Magazine twice a year.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Amir Farid bin d. Isahak
INSAF/ Pure Life Society
Batu 6, Jalan Puchong
Jalan Kelang Lama
Kuala Lumpur
58200 Malaysia
(603) 4108-4300
(603) 410 51300
(601) 7871-3000
dr_amir55@yahoo.com
www.surforever.com/insaf/
Purpose: To encourage cultures of peace by
being peaceful ourselves, to promote
multifaith harmony in Malaysian society,
especially among youth, and to spread
understanding and respect for one another's
faiths through community bridge-building and
grassroots peace building. To learn to accept
our differences and to celebrate the wonderful
diversity of Earth and humanity.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Datin Paduka Mangalam
Batu 6, Jalan Puchong
Description: Our CC's activities include: 1)
interacting with other interfaith bodies by
attending and supporting their programmes
Nur Damai - Light of Peace
226
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jocelyn Armstrong
1/91 St. John's Road
New Zealand
(64) 9-521-4367
GandJ.Armstrong@xtra.co.nz
on Malaysian interfaith and national issues;2)
establishing ties for ongoing dialogue with
Sisters in Islam and Prof Ibrahim Zein of the
International Islamic University in Kuala
Lumpur (UIA); 3) On-going compilation of
our interfaith stories that emerged from the
Appreciative Interviews. We marked Nur
Damai's first anniversary in January 2009 by
bringing out a booklet of these stories of our
Malaysian experience of intercommunal
harmony; 4) Our 18 meetings so far have
been exciting events in themselves - so much
enthusiasm is generated and there is a
promisingly high level of energy and initiative;
5) Our inaugural ceremony was an interfaith
prayer and dedication ceremony attended by
20 friends of 5 faith traditions; and 6) We
have had 7 exposure trips so far, the highlight
of which was a visit to a Hindu temple where
the group participated in the pooja and
bhajans and asked the Hindu youth group at
the temple questions.
PHILIPPINES
Bohol Goodwill Volunteers CC
Purpose: To pursue the URI Preamble,
Purpose and Principles. To promote
sustainable and holistic development.
Description: In pursuit of the realization of
URI's Purpose and Principles, he Bohol
Goodwill Volunteers, Inc. CC has held the
following notable activities in the past: the
following notable activities in 2002-2003.
We initiated and galvanized support for the
signing of a Statement for Peace and
Nonviolence among the major religious
groups in the Province of Bohol, Philippines
on the occasion of the heightening of conflict
in Iraq. We received unequivocal support from
the province's legislative body. In pursuit of
ecological imperatives and ""healing for the
Earth and all living beings,"" we have also
embarked on a vigorous campaign for animal
welfare and vegetarianism.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Padmini Solomon
0905 , Scott Sentral
Kuala Lumpur
50470 Malaysia
pamnisol@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Zaharah bin Md Noor
0905 , Scott Sentral
Kuala Lumpur
50470 Malaysia
pamnisol@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bonifacio Amado M. Quirog
P.O. Box 74
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
6300 Philippines
(63) 38-441-2786
(63) 917-906-3061
bgvi@lycos.com
NEW ZEALAND
United Religions Education CC
Purpose: Through education, to promote
understanding and cooperation between
different religions. In particular, to promote
and lobby for religious studies in schools and
universities.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Maria Corazón A. Ponteres
120 CPG East Ave. Mansasa
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
6300 Philippines
(63) 38 411 4099 / (63) 917 3041757
coraponteres@yahoo.com
227
Cebu City Interfaith Cooperation
Circles CCICC
Description: Our CC activities include mass
feedings, spiritual retreats, yoga exercises,
meditation, music, dance and the arts.
Purpose: Our purpose is to promote interfaith
cooperation among religions in Cebu (as a
movement); to conserve/protect the
environment especially in Cebu (focus on
solid waste management); to provide
livelihood endeavors for our partner
organizations; and to promote participative
governance, leadership and good citizenship
values education.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Jaimini Dasi B. Araneta
Cor.3rd st.Guadalajara, Gualalupe
Cebu City
6000 Philippines
(63) 09-224-061-649
jaiminidasi@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Jasmin E. Alvarado
Cor.3rd st.Guadalajara, Gualalupe
Cebu City
6000 Philippines
(63) 032-256-8362
(63) 927-958-3755
growthyouthoftoday@gmail.com
http://jaiminidasi.multiply.com/
Description: This year we focused on the
following: interfaith advocacy, education,
dialogue symposiums and forums to educate
our people in Cebu, an International Day of
Peace celebration, and livelihood programs
for mothers in the community (like collecting
used papers and selling them). One highlight
was when, in June 2008, the faith-based
sector was recognized by the City of Cebu.
We have also held an annual International Day
of Peace celebration since 2007.
HigaHiga- onon Ha Migsabuwa Ta Lanao,
Inc. CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Delia A. Villacastin
375-E, Acacia st., Camputhaw
Cebu City
6000 Philippines
(6332) 0918-230-5545
jodelvillacastin@yahoo.com
Purpose: To promote unity amidst diversity
among Muslims, Higanonons, and Christians,
and to promote enduring daily interfaith
cooperation to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace,
justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.
Secondary
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Sandra G. Clemente
#1 Kabajar Road, Guadalupe
Cebu City
6000 Philippines
(6332) 238-2592
(6332) 09045-4341317
sancesdev@yahoo.com
Description: The tribal leaders and
Chieftains/Datus gathered together in 2006
to call Christians, Higaonons and Muslims to
have a unified agreement for peace in a
community near Lanao del Norte and Iligan
City that was in conflict. Representatives from
Christian, Muslim, and Higaonon religions
agreed. During this time, we came up with the
resolution to join the United Religions
Initiative. In November 2008, in Malandog,
Rogongon, Iligan City, we gathered more than
500 tri-people to have a cultural ritual for
peace and unity; the event was called Pamalis
Ho Kumba (The first peace gathering). In June
2009, we held a peace ceremony at a house
G.R.O.W.T.H. (see notes for full name)
Purpose: To give and share our knowledge to
youth in a way of music and arts.
228
(6332) 238-2592
(6332) 09045-4341317
sancesdev@yahoo.com
of worship in Malandog, Rogongon, Iligan City
which drew more than 300 tri-people from
Rogongon. We educated more than 100
children and adults in interfaith and Higa-onon
and introduced URI to our tribe through
seminars and workshops,
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Humaida Jumalon
Bahai Center,
B. Rodriguez St., espina Compound,
Cebu City, Cebu
6000 Philippines
63 921 441 8491
humaidajumalon@yahoo.com.ph
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lanelio T. Sangcoan
Husay Mindanao
Barangay Hall of Barangay San Miguel
Iiligan City
9200 Philippines
(63) 918-5238744
Lansky_4@yahoo.com
Mindanao Peace Garden CC
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rey P. So-ong
(63) 918-5238744
ipsemi_2006@yahoo.com
www.rahs.schoolpad.ph
Purpose: To create opportunities to bridge
religious and cultural gaps amongst students
and teachers of different faiths and social
orientations, and to sow seeds of peace and
harmony in different schools starting in
Cagayan de Oro City and spreading to
neighborhood provinces of Mindanao.
Kalinaw CC
Descri
Descri ption:
ption: We were recently approved as a
Cooperaton Circle and just started organizing
and planning our initial activities include:
1.)Launching URI at Xavier University on
September 23 with the installation of a Peace
Pole and a panel discussion on interfaith
dialogue at a park which will be called the
Peace ; 2.)- Information dissemination about
the URI by putting up a permanent bulletin
board at Xavier University. First to be
displayed are the different signs and symbols
of the different religions; 3.)A Poster and
Slogan Contest - winning entries will be
displayed on our Bulletin Board. 4.)Come up
with pins similar to the “Ako Mismo” campaign
where members will be asked to commit
something which they would like to do in
accordance to the essence of URI’s
Preamble, Purpose and Principles; 5.)Conduct essay writing contests and winning
entries shall be published in a Newsletter for
the Mindanao Peace Garden Multiple
Cooperation Circle. 6- Conduct seminars and
workshops on Peace and Interfaith
Cooperation. 7- Community immersion of CC
members in an Indigenous Community in
Purpose: To achieve the goal of URI.
Description: Sharing in the vision of the URI,
Kalinaw (meaning "peace" in the Cebuano
language) CC members deepen their
knowledge and understanding of the various
faiths through rituals and celebrations and by
promoting health, fitness, and wellbeing with
spiritual awareness. With regular monthly
meetings, the CC engages in advocacy work
for environmental concerns and establishes
relationships with other organizations and likeminded faith groups. The CC also organizes
interfaith concerts, like the Celebration of Life
and International Day of Peace celebrations at
the University of Cebu campus. Together with
the local government, Kalinaw CC launched
an Interfaith Sector in Cebu.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Sandra G. Clemente
#1 Kabajar Road, Guadalupe
Cebu City
6000 Philippines
229
Bukidnon.8-Create Core Groups of URI in
selected schools in Cagayan de Oro City and
start interfaith and intercultural discussions in
each campus. 9- Celebration of International
MuslimMuslim - Christian Peacemakers’
Association of Caloocan CC
Purpose:
Purpos e: To promote peace, unity, and
harmony between Muslims and Christians in
our grassroots community in Caloocan City,
Metro Manila, Philippines.
Day of Peace on September 21 and Mindanao
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Noemi Alindogan - Medina, Ph.D.
B4-L18 Scions Village, Kauswagan
Cagayan de Oro City
Philippines
noemimedina@yahoo.com
Description: We are a grassroots community
in Metro Manila. Our meeting and eventual
growing together in friendship was made
possible through the assistance of the
Peacemakers Circle CC. We meet weekly to
discuss ongoing activities and community
projects such as the livelihood programs of
individual members and building of a
cooperative store. Recently, we also engaged
in the Intra-Imam Grassroots Dialogue
Workshop Training and participated in the
Imams-Priest Dialogue Forum and workshops
of The Peacemakers' Circle CC.
Mugna Kabataan CC
Purpose: To lead the youth in promoting
peace and interfaith dialogue through creative
thinking on mutual respect and understanding
and to support young leaders, so they might
be accountable leaders among the youth
today and for the future.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Eric D. Tomarompong
c/o The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc.
59 Salvador St., Varsity Hills Subd., Loyola
Heights
Quezon City, Metro Manila
1108 Philippines
Description: Most of us are youth volunteers.
We come together to celebrate life, most of
all, serve as facilitators in handling classes for
the National Service Training program of
University of Cebu while others are youth
leaders of their own spiritual practices and
have their own programs.
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Loreta Borlongan
c/o The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc.
59 Salvador St., Varsity Hills Subd., Loyola
Heights
Quezon City, Metro Manila
1108 Philippines
(632) 460-5432
berguiaa@yahoo.com
http://muslimchristianpeace.blogspot.com/
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Mary Jean Abenir
113 A Sikatuna St.
Cebu City
Philippines
(63) 9283036380
maryjeanabenir@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Haylen C. Ybarita
Lupa, Sapangdaku
Cebu City
Philippines
(63) 9081023795
hybarita@yahoo.com
MuslimMuslim - Christian Youth for Peace and
Development CC
Purpose: To influence and persuade others,
especially the youth of different religions and
different races to participate and be part of
the changes that we aim, and also to
230
representatives. As a result, a building that
was formerly used by combatants and victims
of the Mindanao war in Kauswagan, Lanao del
Norte, now serves as the Peace Centre
Building and is used for on-site trainings and
assemblies, as well as Maranao language
classes to bridge the communication divide in
Kauswagan and nearby Iligan City. The yearly
Lanao del Norte Month of Peace, celebrated
every March is a also a showcase of the
successful policy-making and lobbying done
by peace-based civil society organizations
with the LGU on the provincial level. The
Panagtagbo sa Kalinaw, an ecumenical
convergence of major religious figures and
cross-cultural leaders became a centerpiece
of festive activities since its introduction by
Pakigdait some two years ago. The
Panagatagbo reflects the fraternal nature of
society, as when Christian leaders visit
Muslim leaders at the end of Ramadhan and
partake in the festivity. Likewise, the Muslims
show their friendship and affinity for the
Christians by bringing gifts to them at
Christmas time, a gesture that is rarely seen
or felt in this country. Pakigdait co-sponsors
programs with other organizations, and is
registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as a non-stock, non-profit
corporation. Recently, Pakigdait has been
judged as the best non-government
organization in the Philippines for the year
2007, by the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(First Infantry TABAK Division).
inculcate the real essence of having peace in
spite of our differences.
Description: We have been involved in: tree
planting for the 10th anniversary celebration of
URI, attending a seminar-workshop on
Strengthening Interfaith Youth Leadership,
participated in candle-lighting ceremony in
QC memorial circle for the peace talk,
participated in making a prayer video for the
people of Japan
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Crispin R. Lingkuran
Block 86, Lot 18, Phase 12
Barangay 188, Tala
Caloocan City
1427 Philippines
(63) 9108872067
crisrebay@yahoo.com
www.facebook.com/pages/mcypd
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Edmark Christian L. del Mundo
#372 Blk 54 Lot 45 Phase 12, Tala
Caloocan City
1427 Philippines
(63) 929 5050488
eidhen24@yahoo.com
PAKIGDAIT of Mindanao CC
Purpose: To promote unity, trust and
confidence among Muslims and Christians. To
promote peace and solidarity in the
community.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Musa M. Sanguila
Pakigdait Incorporated
#18 Narra Street, San Miguel Village
Palao, Iligan City
9200 Philippines
(63) 63 492 3103
(63) 916 579 1333
pakigdait@yahoo.com
www.pakigdait.org
Description: Pakigdait is short for "Pagamoma Alang sa Kalinaw," which means "to
safeguard peace" in the native Visayan dialect
of the people of the Southern Philippines. We
are an interfaith grassroots peace-building
civil society organization. Pakigdait conducts
interfaith dialogue among Muslim and
Christian leaders which has paved the way for
the creation of the adhoc Municipal Inter-Faith
Council (MIFC) composed of an equal
number of Christian and Muslim
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Abel J. Moya
Pakigdait Inc.
Door 1-9, Monian Apartment
231
Description: We have been doing interfaith
work during the 1980’s. We were attracted
because we saw our efforts in the global
context. It is astonishing because grassroots
interfaith undertakings are heard and seen in
the global arena. The movement gave birth to
other interfaith groups like the Bishops-Ulama
Conference, Pakigdait, Baloi MuslimChristian Movement and Panday Kalinaw.
Purok Anthurium, Mahayahay
Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Mindanao
9200 Philippines
63 927 440 7133
pakigdait@yahoo.com
www.pakigdait.org
Pathfinders' Commune
Primary
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Moctar I. Marian
Mindanao State University
Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
9700 Philippines
mimatuan@yahoo.com
Purpose: To learn, share, & experience the
profound essence of love.
Description: Our activities this year include:
Commune Workshop Series (June 18; August
27/28; September 3/4, 10/11), Regular blog
posting at pathfinderscommune.com,
Launching of lecture and sharing
series,Commune Sharing activities, Invitations
for talks and seminars, and Commune
Workshop series.
Tambal Para Kay Inang Kalikasan
(Medicine for Gaia) CC
Purpose: Tambal Para Kay Inang Kalikasan
(Medicine for Gaia) is an alliance of prayer
dedicated to promoting healing of the natural
environment and the Earth community
primarily through the medium of ritual and
ceremonial prayer. The Visayan term tambal
means medicine, and as such, our
cooperation circle is composed of dedicated
individuals from different walks of life brought
together and inspired by a common vision that
seeks healing of the entire Earth community
by engaging in spiritual practices that benefit
Mother Earth, Her children, and the next
seven generations.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ryan (Rem) M. Tanauan
057 Sta Anastacia, Sto Tomas
Batangas
4234 Philippines
(63) 043-405-8480
(63) 916-499-8539
rmtanauan@hotmail.com
http://pathfinderscommune.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Rhea Claire (Claire) E. Madarang
Evangeline Reyes St., BF Resort
Las Piñas City
1740 Philippines
(63) 02 872 7089
(63) 917 364 3374
claire.madarang@gmail.com
Description:
Description: We are a group of people from
different circles who have started doing fire
ceremonies and other healing rituals together
since last year. We thought that we should do
these earth healing ceremonies more often.
Some of us have also collaborated with other
ritualists in doing a ritual-service to the
environment. Since last year I have been
meeting people from different faith traditions
who are interested to come up with a
universal fire ceremony by blending different
traditions. We plan to put up a website to
publish & share our activities. We also want to
Ranao MuslimMuslim - Christian Movement for
Dialogue and Peace
Purpose:
Purpose: To protect and help transform
Mindanao and the world into a more peaceful,
just, free, and progressive place to live.
232
Transformation offers a weekly support
session called Inner Work Circle every
Tuesday evening for members from different
religions or faith traditions who are committed
to be the change that they wish to see in the
world and who aspire to be instruments of
peace by practicing self-awareness and
transformation based on the teachings and
ideals of their respective faith traditions.
Program II: Interfaith Dialogue for
Relationship-building offers various forms of
dialogue through dialogue circles for religious
leaders, women and the youth, various
activities that address common concerns
among people of faith in the country, and
peacebuidling workshops/seminars (e.g.
Visions of Peace Among Religions, Religion
as Source of Conflict and Resource for
Peace, etc.). Program III: Interfaith Action for
Social Change -offers grassroots MuslimChristian Dialogue and Relationship-Building
activities in Muslim-Christian communities
around Metro Manila. Among the recent
activities are the Imams-Priests Dialogue
Training Workshop-Seminar (August-October
2007) that yielded the creation of a National
Imams-Priests Dialogue Forum (NIPDF), and
the pilot summer training workshop-seminar
on Muslim-Christian Dialogue for nationbuilding (April-May 2008) that successfully
launched the Interfaith Peacebuilding Institute
in Manila. These have produced Muslim and
Christian leaders from various sectors of
society who are committed to working in
grassroots communities and conducting
ongoing dialogue and relationship-building
workshops and activities in their respective
locales.
create sacred spaces where people could
visit, revive indigenous traditions and
celebrate bounties of life and also document
the different ceremonies. The Earth day
celebration last April in Manila was a great
experience – the SEAPac youths and
Ambassadors met with diverse people from
different faith traditions to celebrate this day
for healing mother Earth. One activity that
touched me was that conducted by a fellow
URI Ambassador – a youth from Nepal, Sushil
Koirala - who bought 200 roses to give away
as symbols of peace and love to the
community gathered there. There were smiles
all over as people jostled to get a rose and
feel the happiness of holding it and
exchanging with one another. Lots of
friendships were built with this simple gesture.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Ishilta Pinlac
28 Mindanao Avenue
St. Charbel 1, Tandang Sora
Quezon City
1116 Philippines
(63) 2-4544650
(63) 906-2471499
ilishta@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Paul L. Cabalfin
37D, Road 6, Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa
Quezon City
1105 Philippines
(63) 915-295-2826
plecabalfin@yahoo.com
The Peacemakers' Circle CC
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Marites G. Africa
17 Luna Street, Ayala Heights Village
Old Balara
Quezon City, Metro Manila
1119 Philippines
(63) 2-920-7622
(63) 91-753-89358
peacemakerscircle_uri@yahoo.com
www.peacemakerscircle.blogspot.com
Purpose: To bring together people of diverse
cultures and beliefs in Metro Manila to
collaborate in the spirit of mutual respect,
understanding and cooperation for the
common good, and to promote various forms
of interfaith dialogue and relationship-building
for individual and social transformation.
Description: Activities fall under three main
program areas. Program I: Self-Awareness &
233
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Brenda Rain Bautista
brenda_rain_bautista@yahoo.com.ph
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Shakuntala M. Vaswani
26 Regidor St., Varsity Hills
Loyola Heights
Quezon City
1108 Philippines
(63) 2-426-0367
63-09223664590
shakunvaswani@yahoo.com
United Muslim & Christian
Peacemakers SEASEA- K Assn
Purpose: To introduce and start the
harmonious relationship between people of
different religion through exchanging
dialogues.
TULAY Trust, Understanding &
Learning Among Youth
Description: We have a regular meeting
every Monday. We have a Dept. Social
Welfare loan for livelihood and have received
seed money from the Australian Embassy. We
have been participating in different activities
such as: Livelihood program, we organized a
petition that requested from the local
government the cementing of the pavement
and setting up of street lights in the dark
alleys of the village, we participation in treeplanting, riverside cleanup, basic waste
management (for URI’s 10th anniversary
celebration), we had a partnership with the
Peacemakers’ Circle in engaging the MCYPD
youth in the first celebration of the World
Interfaith Harmony Week on February 2010
wherein the youth visited and performed for
the communities of the Bahai and the Sikh
faiths, we participated in a 10-month training
program (June-March 2010) under the
Peacemakers’ Circle-Australian Embassy’s
Strengthening Grassroots Interfaith Dialogue
and Understanding (SGIDU).
Purpose: To trust, understand and learn from
each other.
Description: Our CC members met each
other for the first time at the first VPAR
(Visions for Peace Among Religions) Seminar
for youth in Bohol conducted by the
Peacemakers Circle and a Vegetarian Feast
and Animal Welfare Advocacy. Then, in 2006
another VPAR was sponsored by Bohol
Goodwill Volunteers CC and the United
Nations Fund for Population. After that, upon
encouragement by Ms. Marites, Dr. Shakun,
and Mr. Boni, we decided to organize formally.
Our most memorable activity so far was when
a Roman Catholic young person gave a
Muslim young person a guided a tour of the
local Roman Catholic church. It was a moving
experience for both parties. The second one
was when we organized a creative workshop.
The name of our CC, TULAY, means Bridge
in the Philippine language. Our next plan is to
understand Islam through literature shared by
our Muslim colleague. Our future plan is to
visit remote areas in our province and inspire
other youths and expand our membership. We
dream of no more war in Mindanao.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Eric D. Tomarompong
Blk 86, Lot 18, Phase 12, Riverside Tala
Caloocan
Caloocan City
1427 Philippines
(63) 918 5333584
etomarompong@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Bonifacio Amado M. Quirog
P.O. Box 74
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
6300 Philippines
(63) 917-906-3061
warlock_avatar@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Magdalena M. Betonio
Blk 86 Lt 18 Phase 12 Riverside Tala
234
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shakuntala M. Vaswani
26 Regidor St., Varsity Hills
Loyola Heights
Quezon City
1108 Philippines
(63) 2-426-0367
63-09223664590
shakunvaswani@yahoo.com
Caloocan City
1427 United States
(63) 918 5333584
etomarompong@yahoo.com
Value Laden Professional Circle (VLPC)
Purpose: To sustain and embody the spirit of
volunteerism in every heart of the youth in the
city of Cebu.
Vietnamese Interfaith Council in the
Mekong Delta CC
Description: The VLPC organization make
different activities that provide trainings that
will capacitate youth leadership for Cebuano
young leaders and greening programs for the
betterment of our environment. Among our
highlights in 2011: Tree-planting at Iiloan
Cebu on June 4, 2011 and our second
activity, the National Greening program with
local government, VLPC, MCWD, at Iiloan
Cebu on June 25, 2011
Purpose: To develop more relationships with
different groups so we can share one
another's values and wisdom.
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Shakuntala M. Vaswani
26 Regidor St., Varsity Hills
Loyola Heights
Quezon City
1108 Philippines
(63) 2-426-0367
63-09223664590
shakunvaswani@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Contact:
Lordsoon Rafols Gonido
Basubas St., Tipolo Mangubat Compound,
Mandaue City Philippines
(63) 932 268 6582
vipc2010@yahoo.com
Secondary Contact:
Contact:
Ruel Perena
P. Basubas St. Tipolo
Mandaue City
Philippines
(63) 929-561-2972
vlpc2010@yahoo.com
VIETNAM
Vietnamese Interfaith
Interfaith Council in
Tayninh & Saigon Vietnam CC
Purpose: To use interfaith cooperation to
create and maintain a vegetarian restaurant
that serves the poor in the city.
235
Multiple Cooperation Circles
AFRICA
Primary Contact:
Mrs. Sara Timana
Post Office Box No. 109
Maputo, Mozambique
Uganda Interfaith Cooperation Circles
Initiative MCC
CCs Included:
1. Association for the Reduction of Absolute
Poverty CC
2. Association Homeopathia de Mozambique CC
3. Association Ntwananu Mozambique CC
4. Council of Religions in Mozambique CC
5. Escola Cumintaria Ntwananu Costa-del-Sol
CC
6. Escola Ntwananu Matola – Rio CC
7. Interreligious URI CC Namaacha
8. Kulunguange Cultural Association CC
9. Liga Dos Escuteiros de Mozambique CC
10. Medecina Alternativa CC
11. United Religions CC Beira
12. URI Dondo CC
Purpose: To promote URI's work by coordinating
URI's Cooperation Circles.
Primary Contact:
Mr. George Olinga
P.O. Box 480
Kampala Uganda
(256) 77-401-109
olinga@spacenetuganda.com
Secondary Contact:
Ms. Despina Namwembe
P.O. Box 72190, Clock Tower
Kampala, Uganda
Business: (256) 414-531-066
Mobile: (256) 77-457-791
E-mail: dmwembe@uri.org
ASIA
Malawi MCC
Eastern Light MCC
Purpose: To unite in the efforts of curtailing
religiously motivated violence and facilitate the
flourishing of the integral human good.
Purpose:
Purpose Strengthening URI work on the local
level and connecting to a broader national
community.
Primary Contact:
Mr. Cliff Morson Tebulo
Education Office, P.O. Box 2474
Blantyre, Malawi
(265) 0923-0192
(265) 0168-3796
clifftebulo@yahoo.com
Primary Contacts:
Ektaan CC
Kaushik Chatterjee
Central office, DPSC Ltd.
Post- Dishergarh, District- Burdwan
West Bengal, India 713333
ektaan@gmail.com
Mozambique MCC
Rainbow CC
Udit Chakraborty
Vill- Adhkara Post-Panchmura
District- Bankura
West Bengal, India 722156
rainbow3243@gmail.com
Purpose: To promote expansion and to establish
URI CCs, MCCs, and MMCCs. To promote URI
activities.
Description: Our group supports CCs in their
work and needs. We promote CC growth through
personal contacts and organize events to bring
CCs together for fellowship and common action.
Rural Development Society CC
Rev. Kalyan Kumar Kisku
Central Church Compound College Road
District- Bankura
236
CCS Included:
1. Tehreek Taraque-E-Insaniat CC
2. Women and Children Development Program
CC
3. Peace and Development Foundation CC
4. Bhatta Brick Kilns Welfare Organization CC
5. National Muslim Christian Dialogue CC
6. Allam Iqball CC
7. Organization for Peace and Development CC
8. Travel Agents CC
9. Youth Peace Revolution CC
10. ALAAP CC
West Bengal, India 722101
rudeso@rediffmail.com
CCS Included:
1. Ektaan CC
2. Rainbow CC
3. Rural Development Society CC
URI Korea MCC
Purpose: To accomplish URI's purpose and
principles in Korea and around the world.
Primary Contact:
Mr. Yuel Bhatti
23-A F.C.C., Feroze pur Road
Lahore, Pakistan
(92) 42-5914227
yuelpdf@yahoo.com
Primary Contact:
Ven. Dr. Jinwol Young Ho Lee
Dept. of Seon, Dongguk University,
707 Seokjangdong
Gyeongju, Korea 780-714
Business: (82) 54-770-2832
Mobile: (82) 17-264-8260
E-mail: jlee@uri.org
Website: www.urikorea.org
Secondary Contact:
Mr. Xaviour Francis
Youhana Bad, Ferozepur
Lahore, Pakistan
hermen@nexlinx.net.pk
CCs Included:
1. URI Korea CC
2. URI Incheon/Gyeonggi CC
3. URI Chuncheon/Gangwon CC
4. URI Daejeon/Chungnam CC
5. URI Cheongju/Chungbuk CC
6. URI Daegu/Gyeongbuk CC
7. URI Busan/Gyeongnam CC
8. URI Jeonju/Jeonbuk CC
9. URI Gwangju/Jeonnam CC
10. URI Jeju CC
11. URI Korea Cyber Society CC
Pakistan MCC
Primary Contact:
Father James Channan
153 Ali Block
New Garden Town
Lahore, Pakistan 54600
Home: (92) 42-591-4207
Mobile: (92) 300-873-0669
E-mail: jchannan@uri.org
Website: www.uripakistan.org
Lahore MCC
CCs Included:
1. Bhatta Brick Kiln Labourers Welfare
Organization CC
2. Civil Society CC
3. Flowers of Peace Women's CC
4. Ibteda Foundation CC
5. Peace Group of Journalists CC
6. Karachi URI CC
7. Lahore Pakistan CC
8. National Muslim-Christian Fellowship Gujrat
CC
9. National Muslim-Christian Dialogue Gujrat CC
10. Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human
Rights CC
11. All Faiths Harmony CC
Purpose: Our MCC is comprised of CCs based in
Lahore and around in the Capital of Punjab
province. We will work together to promote
interfaith dialogue and peace for the development
of the oppressed in our communities.
Description: Our goal is to spread peace and
harmony as violence is at its peak. Working
together we can create the fabric of a peaceful
society. By forming the Lahore MCC we are
unifying our CCs. Therefore, we can coordinate
our visions and goals as well as events in the light
of URI Preamble, Purpose and Principles.
237
Rua Pe. Claudio Gomes, 82 Apto 12A
São Paulo, Brazil 03590-020
(55) 11-8338-5700
(55) 11-5587-2223
E-mail: rev.elias.united@gmail.com
12. Peace Foundation CC Muzaffar Garh,
Pakistan
13. Tehreek Taraque-E-Insaniat CC
14. Toba Tek Singh CC
15. Travel Agents CC Pakistan
16. Women and Children Development Program
CC
17. Pakistan Children and Youth CC
18. Pakistan Hindu-Sikh Social Welfare Council
CC
19. Education for Peace CC
20. Allama Iqbal CC
21. Organization for Peace & Development CC
22. Seeds of Peace CC
23. URI Islamabad – Pakistan CC
Secondary Contact:
Paullo Santos e Marly Pedra
Rua Dr. Luiz Azevedo Filho, 38 – Vila Mariana
São Paulo, Brazil 04044-050
(55) 11-5078-8093
(55) 11-2578-7254
E-mail: marlupa@terra.com.br
E-mail 2: paullosantos@terra.com.br
CCs Included:
1. Belo Horizonte CC
2. URI Brasilia CC
3. Campinas CC
4. Curitiba CC
5. Grupo Inter-Religioso de São Paulo CC
6. Rio Inter-Religious Movement CC
7. UNISOES – BRASIL
LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
MCC of Indigenous People
Purpose: To unify and fortify the indigenous CCs
within our diversity. To energize and consolidate
our work in URI.
MULTIREGIONAL
MULTIREGIONAL
Primary Contact:
Mrs. Fany Avila
P.O. Box 2203, Balboa, Ancon
Panama, Panama
Home: (507) 250-6193
E-mail: fanyavila@hotmail.com
Earth Wisdom MCC (Sabiduría de Nuestra
N uestra
Madre Tierra MCC)
MCC )
Purpose: To promote and facilitate the
Communications and cooperation among those
who live their life as a ceremony in honor of Mother
Earth.
Secondary Contact:
Mr. Alejandrino Quispe Mejia
Jr. Ricardo Palma #476 Ayacucho, Peru
Home: (51) 66-315-054
E-mail: alquime144@hotmail.com
Primary Contact:
Raul Mamani
llampawamani@yahoo.com.ar
CCs Included:
1. Of the Indigenous People of Argentina CC
2. Qewna CC
3. Mujeres Artesanas CC
4. Amaru CC
Secondary Contacts:
Alejandrino Quispe Mejia
alquime144@hotmail.com
Yoland Trevino
therion93@earthlink.net
URI Brazil MCC
Don Frew
DHF3@aol.com
Purpose: To bring together CCs in Brazil to
promote enduringly URI development and interfaith
cooperation in all the country.
CCs included:
1. Amaru CC (Peru)
2. Movimiento Ecuménico Interreligioso de
Pueblos Indígenas CC (Bolivia)
Primary Contact:
Rev. Elias de Andrade Pinto
238
3.
4.
5.
6.
Qewña CC (Argentina)
Spirituality & the Earth CC (Argentina, Brazil,
Canada, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, the
United Kingdom, the United States, and
Venezuela)
Rainbow CC (India)
Women Welfare and Rehabilitation Center
CC (India)
Women’s Coalition MCC
Purpose: To unite the energies of women within
the URI. To create a platform for joint activities,
advocacy, communication and sharing of
resources. To strengthen and support existing
women’s CCs. To align ourselves with other
organizations who share our vision.
Primary Contact:
Yoland Trevino
4234 Canyon Crest Rd.
Altadena, CA 91001, USA
(1) 626 797-3379
Mobile: (1) 626 297-4227
E-mail: ytrevino@ uri.org
Secondary Contacts:
Despina Namwembe
dmwembe@uri.org
Ardey Turner
ardeyt@sbcglobal.net
Elana Rozenman
erozenman@bezeqint.net
CCs Included:
1. Pilgrimage Project CC
1. TRUST WIN CC
2. Golden Rule CC
3. WIN MENA CC
4. Fé-minina CC
5. Mujeres Artesanas CC
6. Twekolere Women's Development Association
CC
7. Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk CC
8. A Circle of Healers CC
9. Think Peace Media and Communications CC
10. Center for Religious Tolerance CC
239
In Memorium
Memorium
CELESTIAL CC
Sheikh Bukhari
Sabapathy Alagiah
Dick Couch
Rev. Jack Lundin
239
Dr. T. D. Singh (H. H. Bhaktisvarupa
Damodara Swami)
Mrs. Susan Crosier
Doctor Nirmala Deshpande
Mr. Dharma Senanayake
240
Mr. Gary Smith
Samdech Preah Maha
Ghosananda
Rev. Dale White
241
Rev. Mary Ellen Gaylord
Rev. Sanford Garner
Father Luis Dolan
Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka
242
Mr. Bob Miessler
Mr. Jerry Chang
Mr. Joel Beversluis
Ms. Josephine Natukunda
Mr. Pelecinnah JosiahJosiah-Pele
243
We, people of diverse religions, spiritual
expressions and indigenous traditions throughout
the world, hereby establish the United Religions
Initiative to promote enduring, daily interfaith
cooperation, to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace, justice
and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
www.uri.org