As reported in the Summer 2002 issue of UK Bahá'í Review, the international governing council of the worldwide Bahá'í community - the Universal House of Justice - has issued an important letter addressed to the Leaders of the World's Religions. It was a call to them to put aside their differences and work towards ending prejudice and hatred. It addressed the issues of fundamentalism and the need to recognise the oneness at the heart of all religions.

Following its launch, the message was distributed by all national Bahá'í assemblies to leaders of faith communities in their countries. Now the message is being shared at the local level and in the United Kingdom, there has been a fascinating range of responses from religious figures.

The sentiments regarding fundamentalism have resonated with many. A Methodist minister wrote to say that, "the analysis of your message is very enlightening. Why have religious leaders not seen more clearly that institutionalised religion is lagging seriously behind other welcome moves towards greater universal harmony and true peace?" A hospital chaplain commented that, "It is a sad reflection on religion that so many of the world's areas of conflict and violence have their origins in religious extremism and bigotry." A Catholic church leader quoted Archbishop Pablo Puente who said "those who say they have the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth are very near to fundamentalism, which is a great disaster for the church and for humanity."

Responses to the message haven't solely been from Christian leaders. A Rabbi stated that she shared in "the vision of one humanity created in the image of the One God?" and wished to "celebrate the wondrous diversity of humanity and believe that universal peace and justice will only be possible when we acknowledge and embrace our differences."

Many of the responses have focussed on the need for religions to increase their contact with, and understanding of, each other. "It is important that we talk more to one another and find out the good that is in people of all faiths" said a Catholic respondent. An Anglican leader wrote to say that, "certainly there needs to be an awareness of our common humanity and the imperative to love and forgive and seek points of contact." A Methodist reflected that "there is no need for exclusive claims to lead to serious conflict or to get in the way of the many things about which different groups will agree."

In a few towns, the letter has been studied together by members of different faith groups and some Bahá'í communities have used their local media to highlight the major issues within the message. In Cardiff, the Bahá'ís translated the letter not only into Welsh but distributed it in Arabic and Hindi to more than 120 local leaders. In Swindon, following personal presentations to all the local religious leaders, the Bahá'ís are hoping to hold an inter-faith meeting to address the key issues in the letter.

The distribution of the letter continues both in the UK and around the world with Bahá'ís now turning their attention towards practical steps that need to be taken to address the issues facing all religious communities and their leaders. As one Methodist minister wrote, "we look forward with hope, but realise it is not easy to transform our ideals into reality."

CM