Letter from CCA

15 February 2006

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

I greet you from Porto Alegre. This letter was written in Washington D.C. on my way to the WCC General Assembly. I will return to CCA Office on February 27. However, this weekly letter will go on as usual. 

Violence against cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed

The violence over the caricatures of Prophet Mohammed was another global issue in our time. It was also reflected in the weekly worship at CCA chapel last Wednesday (February 8, 2006). We were shocked and worried about the daily violence as consequences of unwanted caricatures of the Prophet. We want this anger to be stopped with mutual understandings and respect among faith communities.

We know that depicting the Prophet Mohammed is prohibited in Islam. But it was published by Danes’ newspaper, which consequently angered Muslims around the world. Produced and reproduced of the cartoons therefore runs counter between the press freedom in the West and the very sensitive spiritual and religious respect especially that of the Islamic believers. The situation then rapidly spread out in many countries especially in the Muslim majority countries in the Middle East and Asia. It is not only caused a great damage to property and life but automatically heightens confrontation between the Muslim communities and the West. 

I shared the message of the General Secretary of Dan Church Aid expressing his concern about this critical situation that happen to Danes communities in many countries. He affirms that Dan Church Aid signifies the diversity of faith and mutual religious respect. I forwarded that message to member churches and councils encouraging that churches in Asia should continue to pursue genuine peace, unity, harmony and reconciliation in pluralistic Asian society. CCA’s interfaith cooperation, programs and activities will actively work with sincere heart and mutual respect. 

Last week, Mr. Victor Azariah, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Pakistan, once again e-mailed to CCA and reported that on 6th of February 2006, two Christian schools, "Panel School" in Bannu and "Saint Paul School" in Mardan of Peshawar Diocese Church of Pakistan were attacked. He said this is the third attack on Christian Institutions since November 2005. I encourage member churches and councils and ecumenical partners to continue praying for the Christian churches and institutions in Pakistan in this difficult time.

Visit CORE Initiative

Heading to the WCC General Assembly in Potro Alegre, Brazil, I stopped over in Washington D.C. last Friday [February 10] and shared about CCA’s programs and plans to officers and staffs of organization called CORE Initiative. I did my presentation using the power point on life and works of CCA focusing on promoting interfaith network on HIV and AIDS. CORE Initiative agreed to support this new network named “Asian Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS (AINA). 

AINA is an inter-religious network providing common platform for action to combat HIV/AIDS, to build together the caring communities to ensure the protection of human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS in Asian countries initially include Thailand, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia. 

AINA has been originally initiated as recommendation from the participants of CCA Conference on HIV/AIDS in 2001 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Since then, the follow up discussion and workshops have been continuously discussed. Until the last workshop on May 2005, AINA was organized and the Steering Committee was formed. Pra Maha Boonchuey, a Buddhist monk, has been elected as the chairperson and representatives from Christian- Protestant and Catholic, Muslim, Hindu and the PWHA are the other members of Steering Committee. 

To carry on programs and activities of AINA, Mr. Ekaraj Sabur (Muslim) and Mr. Ekapong (Protestant) were appointed as AINA Coordinator and office assistant respectively. Its coordinating office is in Chiang Mai. 

I encourage you to pray for this new network and extend your cooperation and support to this movement as much as you can. If you want to know more about AINA, please contact them at the following mailing address: 100/1 Rattanakosin Road, Doi Sakhet Khao, Amphur Muang, Tambol Watkhet, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand, e-mail: ainaasia@yahoo.com