Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership

What: People of faith from a variety of religious traditions, including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim, will hold a day of worship and witness in Washington, D.C. and across the nation on March 7, 2008. It is our obligation to be the moral conscience and compass of our nation.

Why: Ending the tragedy of the war, which most of our religious bodies advised against five years ago, will be the greatest political challenge of our time. In launching a month of action on the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, we commit to be relentless in our common effort to end the war, to honor the service of our soldiers, and to help all of those who have been affected – in the U.S. and in Iraq – to rebuild their lives.

When: At midday on Friday, March 7th, there will be religious services held in a variety of traditions in different houses of worship in the nation’s capitol, all focused on our common commitment for peace

Where: Following worship, at 2:30 p.m., people of all faith traditions will gather in Upper Senate Park for a positive, nonviolent witness to end the war in Iraq.

Who: Speakers will include:
• Rev. Jim Forbes, founder of Healing the Nation;
• Rabbi Michael Namath, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; and
• Ms. Asma Mirza, president of the national Muslim Students Association.

The witness will include a visible public demonstration of our unity and determination to end the war, in which some may choose to participate in an act of civil disobedience as an expression of conscience.

More information about the Peace Witness and related events is available at www.olivebranchinterfaith.org.

For more information, contact:

Rick Ufford-Chase
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
rickuffordchase @ gmail.com
520-780-6928

Mark Johnson
Fellowship of Reconciliation
mjohnson @ forusa.org
845-358-4601