Religious leaders unite against bigotry

THE MISUSE of positions to proclaim or advocate bigotry and hate should be exposed – this was the underlying message disseminated by a broad coalition of religious leaders at an interfaith service in the Groote Kerk last night.

The organisers and the participating leaders emphasised it was not just about showing compassion and empathy for the victims of the recent horrific mosque attacks in New Zealand, but an opportunity to show solidarity against white supremacist violence.

Among those sharing the floor with the Reverend Riaan de Villiers from the Groote Kerk were Sheikh Ishmail Keraan, from the Al Azhar Mosque; Reverend Michael Weeder, Dean of St George’s Cathedral; Bishop Templeton Mbekwa, leader of the South African Religious Forum; and the Jewish community.

Brainchild behind the event Berry Behr, chairperson of Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, said that in the wake of the events that had unfolded in New Zealand, it was necessary to stand united both against a toxic ideology and for those afflicted.

Hours before the service, Reverend De Villiers allayed fears that the interfaith service would be cancelled, adding that objections came mostly from clergy who were not part of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC).

He said the service in this historic building of the DRC sent a strong message of unity in a world where hatred and divisive ideologies were on the rise. “The DRC knows too well the effects of poisonous ideologies like white supremacy,” he said.