We Affirm Our Belief in the One God
A Statement Regarding Muslim-Christian Perspectives on the Nuclear Weapons Danger

This statement had its origins at a consultation of religious leaders and scholars, Muslims, Christians and others, that was convened by the Islamic Society of North America, the Managing the Atom Project of the Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy. The group met at the Pocantico Conference Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in Tarrytown, New York on May 23-25, 2005 to discuss what their traditions had to contribute to the question of the nuclear weapons danger at this time in history. All Muslims and Christians are invited to endorse this statement by visiting www.mci-nwd.org.

We affirm our belief in the One God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

We agree that the Christian and Muslim traditions are unambiguous on the sanctity of human life and on the protection of all forms of creation, including the environment. We believe in the dignity of all human beings and their roles as trustees and humble custodians of the earth and their responsibility for the needs of future generations.

We believe that chemical, biological and particularly nuclear weapons do not discriminate between combatants and non-combatants and inevitably destroy innocent human life, even as they destroy other forms of life such as animals and vegetation, cause irrevocable damage to the environment for many generations to come and cause human suffering and disease. Therefore, we hold that these weapons are contrary to our religious and ethical principles.

We agree that the ideal response to the nuclear threat is a total and universal ban on all such weapons, including low yield tactical nuclear weapons, their development, production, possession, acquisition, deployment, use, and the threat of use. We hold further that any weakening of the nuclear "Non-Proliferation Treaty" is a setback for world peace.

We agree that all nations, without exception, must abide by international treaties, agreements and other international covenants of which they are signatories.

We further agree that the possession of nuclear weapons is an unacceptable risk for the human community in these times and is a continuing threat to the entire planet and its fragile ecosystem. The risk of theft of nuclear weapons or materials by non-state actors for nuclear terrorism as well as the continuing risk of accidental use of nuclear weapons by nation states themselves makes even the possession of nuclear weapons a danger to God's creation.

We agree that the enormous resources spent on nuclear weapons can be put to much better use to deal with the problems of poverty, disease and ignorance and to promote a peaceful pluralistic civil society, free of hate and prejudice.

We encourage engagement on the part of civil society in the debate and policy making decisions relating to nuclear weapons.

We therefore believe that the common position held by both of our traditions, expressed as the sanctity of human life, leads us inexorably to say that the only real security for the world and the most responsible position for people of faith in our two traditions is to call upon the United States and other countries of the world to, gradually and in a verifiable manner, finally eliminate these weapons from the face of the earth.

Endorsed by these participants:
Dr. Asma Afsaruddin, Muslim
Associate Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Department of Classics, University of Notre Dame and Chair, Board of Directors, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, Washington, DC

Sadida Athaullah, Muslim
Board of Directors, Muslim Peace Fellowship

Dr. Jamal Badawi, Muslim
Islamic Society of North America

Mohamed Elsanousi, Muslim
Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Islamic Society of North America

Dr. Muneer Fareed, Muslim
Associate Professor, Dept. of Near Eastern & Asian Studies, Wayne State University

Rev. Barbara Green, Presbyterian
Executive Director, Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy

Rabia Terri Harris, Muslim
Coordinator, Muslim Peace Fellowship

Dr. Sherman Jackson, Muslim
Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Dept. of Near Eastern Studies University of Michigan

Rev. Richard Killmer, Presbyterian
Program Director, Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy

Ibrahim M. Abdil-Mu'id Ramey, Muslim
Director of the Disarmament Program, Fellowship of Reconciliation

Anna Rhee, United Methodist
Board of Directors, Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy

Dr. Louay Safi, Muslim
Executive Director, Islamic Society of North America's Leadership Development Center

Muhammad Shafiq, PhD, Muslim
Imam/Executive Director, Islamic Center of Rochester, NY and Executive Director, Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue, Nazareth College, Rochester, NY

Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Muslim
Chairman, Fiqh Council of North America

Bishop Walter F. Sullivan, Roman Catholic
President of the Board of the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy

Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, United Church of Christ
President and Professor of Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary

Joe Volk, Religious Society of Friends
Executive Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation

Dr. Jim Walsh
Executive Director, Managing the Atom, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Peter Weiderud, Church of Sweden
Director, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, World Council of Churches

Dr. Christine Wing, Presbyterian
Member of South Presbyterian Church, Dobbs Ferry, NY

This statement reflects the views of the signatories and not necessarily those of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
Organizations are listed for identification purposes only.

All Muslims and Christians are invited to add their endorsement.

IF YOU WISH TO ENDORSE, PLEASE USE THE ON-LINE FORM AT www.mci-nwd.org.
The statement and list of endorsers are also available on this website.

If you have questions, contact us at info@mci-nwd.org.

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MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN INITIATIVE ON THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS DANGER