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Keep Praying...

Jun 25, 2014 — Categories: , , ,

The 200 plus girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria are not home yet. Despite efforts by Nigerian military, U.S. military, and the United Nations, the girls have not yet been rescued from the terrorists.

The 200 plus girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria are not home yet. Despite efforts by Nigerian military, U.S. military, and the United Nations, the girls have not yet been rescued from the terrorists.

The efforts by Muslim leaders around the world to speak out in support of the girls and to condemn the actions of Boko Haram are important. For many non-Muslims, the temptation to equate the actions of Boko Haram with the teachings of Islam is great. But this would be a mistake. Boko Haram may identify themselves as Islamists, but that does not mean that they in any way represent Islam.

Listen to the voices of these Muslim leaders: "Not In God's Name."

We must stand in solidarity with any faith leader who refuses to allow his/her faith to be hijacked by terrorists to justify acts of brutality.

And we must keep praying for the safe return of the girls and for their healing from this horrific ordeal they have been put through.

Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune
www.faithtrustinstitute.org
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kidnappings, standing with people

Posted by Debra S. Michels at Jul 08, 2014 02:48 PM
Dear Reverend Marie,
I would really appreciate it if you would stand with Israel and Jews around the world, too - especially when three Israeli teenagers have also been kidnapped.

I am hoping you are not blaming Israel for the actions of Islamic terrorists who teach their children to hate and kill Jews as "the offspring of pigs and monkeys." I hope you are able to transcend the dark side of Christianity which goes "one-up" over Judaism, overgeneralizing and demonizing Jews.

I would so appreciate some kind of reply, to this. We Jews need Christians to stand with us against Muslim hatred of Zionism, Judaism and Jews, especially against these Muslim stances in the Middle East. I think Jesus would be able to pray for and stand with both Israelis and Palestinians - can you? And can you stand with Israeli parents who want their sons returned safely?

Please let me know!
Thank you,
Debra Michels

Thank you

Posted by Marie Fortune at Jul 08, 2014 02:59 PM
Thank you for sharing your concern for the teenagers who were kidnapped and murdered in Israel.

I do stand with the parents of the murdered teens, both Israeli and Palestinian. These acts of violence are tragic and inexcusable on both sides. The teaching of hatred only feeds an endless cycle of violence. We see this cycle played out daily around the world and here at home. A just peace is the only way to end this cycle. It will require courageous leaders on both sides to find a way to make a future that does not repeat the past.

This is my prayer every day.

Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune
Founder and Senior Analyst
FaithTrust Institute
    Working together to end sexual & domestic violence
2900 Eastlake Ave E., Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98102
www.faithtrustinstitute.org

education

Posted by M.Waheed Rana at Jul 08, 2014 03:03 PM
Greetings of Peace
Years of efforts of U.S.Muslims to build bridges of Interfaith communities are shattered by one unislamic act of the group like Boko Haram .Acquisition of Knowledge (education) is an obligation of every Muslim Man and Muslim Woman.May Allah Protect the innocents and Give Guidance to these Groups.

Girls abducted

Posted by Emma Justes at Jul 08, 2014 03:03 PM
Thank you, Marie, for emphasizing that this rogue group of violent men does not represent the Islamic faith. We continue to pray.