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U.S. Religious Delegation in Iran To Meet With Religious, Political Figures
The Tehran Times reported that a religious delegation from the U.S. has arrived in Iran for a week to meet with religious and political figures and the Iranian people, to "build bridges of peace and security" between Iran and the U.S. The 13-member delegation, which arrived Monday and will depart February 25, is led by the Mennonites and Quakers but includes members of a number of U.S. Christian denominations. The group was invited by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "We are here to build bridges of peace and security" between the people of Iran and the U.S., said Mary Ellen McNish, American Friends Service Committee secretary-general. McNish said that on their return to the U.S., they will "directly go to Washington D.C. and visit Congress to give a report" on Iranians' desire for peace. After the delegation met with Tehran Friday Prayer Leader Mohammad Emami Kashani, McNish stated, "It was so moving to hear [that] Islam prohibits weapons of mass destruction." She added that many people in the U.S. are fearful about Iran, and, of course, are inflamed by the media. "We want both sides to forgive each other," she said. Ron Flaming, international program director of the Mennonite Central Committee, said, "As long as the two countries do not talk, there is no trust between them and walls are built up." He added that there are misperceptions on both sides, but the delegation was trying to promote mutual respect. Source: Tehran Times, Iran, February 20, 2007
Posted at: 2007-02-21
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