Faith leaders speak out against atrocities in Iraq

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi to the Movement for Reform Judaism joined faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby at a Westminster vigil urging world leaders to do more to end the violence faced by communities being persecuted for their faith in Iraq.

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner said: “Our rabbis taught us that no one’s blood is redder than another’s, that no person’s life is more valuable than another’s. As faith communities, we will always stand together against tyranny, oppression and the violation of human rights.”

The vigil was co-ordinated by faith-based development agencies including World Jewish Relief whose chief executive, Paul Anticoni said: said: “The humanitarian situation in Iraq has deeply troubled me, troubled our community and troubled all of those who have an interest in protecting those facing persecution. This vigil shows the importance of faith-based communities coming together in solidarity with people of all faiths in Iraq who are suffering.

“World Jewish Relief leads the Jewish community’s response to international disasters and as such has developed the credentials and credibility to lead our community within the humanitarian development sphere. On this occasion, we have united, as humans and humanitarians, to stand by those discriminated against on the basis of their identity”.