UN Chief Calls on Religious Leaders to Unite in the Fight against COVID-19
UNITED NATIONS, RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY, 13 Apr 2020
UN News - TRANSCEND Media Service
Religious leaders of all faiths are being urged by the UN Secretary-General to join forces and work for peace around the world and focus on the common battle to defeat COVID-19.
11 April 2020 – António Guterres made the call in a special appeal issued today, and at a time when Christians are celebrating Easter, Jews are marking Passover, and Muslims will soon begin the holy month of Ramadan.
“We have always known these occasions to be moments of community. Of families coming together. Of hugs and handshakes and the gathering of humanity. But this is a time like no other”, he said.
Globally, there have been more than 1.6 million cases of COVID-19 and nearly 100,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The new coronavirus disease has ushered in what the UN chief described as “a strange, surreal world”. Streets are silent, storefronts are shuttered and places of worship are empty in efforts to contain its spread.
It is also a world where “we are worried about our loved ones who are equally worried about us”, he continued, before wondering “how do we celebrate at a time like this?”
In the spirit of this holy period, the Secretary-General encouraged people everywhere to use this as a time for reflection, remembrance and renewal.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qdyeXpr3W8&feature=emb_logo
“As we reflect, let us spare a special thought for heroic health workers on the frontlines battling this awful virus – and for all those working to keep our cities and towns going”, said Mr. Guterres.
This is also time to remember “the most vulnerable of the vulnerable around the world”: people in war zones, refugee camps, slums and other areas least equipped to fight the virus.
“And let us renew our faith in one another and draw strength from the good that is gathering in troubled times as communities of diverse faiths and ethical traditions unite to care for one another”, he added.
“Together, we can and will defeat this virus – with cooperation, solidarity, and faith in our common humanity”.
Tags: Antonio Guterres, COVID-19, Cooperation, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Religion, United Nations
DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Read more
Click here to go to the current weekly digest or pick another article:
UNITED NATIONS:
- The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees in “Darkest Moment” of Its 75-Year History
- UNCTAD, COP29, They Did It again: Digital Tyranny Beyond the Worst Imaginations of George Orwell 1984
- End of Empathy: Did the Gaza Genocide Render the UN Irrelevant?
RELIGION:
- Encountering the Bhakt: Transformation in Religious Thought
- Christianity's Similarities with Hinduism
- The Question of Alevi Minority in Turkey and Its Religious Identity
SPIRITUALITY: