Unity and Common Purpose Among Religous Leaders

This statement was issued on 7 June 2010

The Archbishop of Cape Town, The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, presided over a most significant gathering of religious leaders in Athlone, Cape Town, today.

This meeting brought together leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and other religious bodies in a bid to reflect on the changing face of religion, the relationship between church and state, and the societal issues that the religious bodies are called upon to address.

The meeting is a refreshing show of unity and common purpose in the light of the divisive portrayal of religion elsewhere in the world. The religious leaders who are meeting here are driven by their common need to act in the interests of the people of our land, and to critically engage with the South African government.

The Western Cape Religious Leaders Forum, under whose auspices the meeting is taking place, has had a long history of co-operation in the Western Cape. The WCRLF, which has its roots in the days of the Apartheid resistance movement, continues to develop relationships across religious barriers in the Western Cape.

The consultation in Athlone will end with a press conference at 15h15 at 20 Cashell Avenue (Muslim Judicial Council), Crawford, Athlone.