PRAYER AND ACTION FOR DARFUR A Brief EFC Resource for Churches

Transcription

1 PRAYER AND ACTION FOR DARFUR A Brief EFC Resource for Churches May 2006 The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada MIP Box 3745 Markham, Ontario L3R 0Y4 P F efc@efc-canada.com

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Page 3 Background: the Crisis in Darfur Page 4 What you can do Page 6 Sample Letter Page 7 Helpful scriptures Page 8 2

3 INTRODUCTION As the Church, we are called to stand against injustice. Today, millions of people are suffering from a preventable humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Our collective prayers and the strength of our voice are urgently needed to end the genocide in Darfur. Since February 2003, 400,000 people have died, 2.5 million people have been displaced and 3.5 million people risk starvation, lacking adequate food, water, shelter, healthcare and sanitation. We can either remain silent about their plight, or speak out and become agents of justice. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, but countless more can be saved. Nearly twelve years ago, Canada made a promise to Rwanda after nearly one million Rwandans were massacred - we said, "Never Again." And though our government may not be reacting as quickly as it should, Canadians and churches in Canada must not be dissuaded from speaking out against these atrocities. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the World Evangelical Alliance are calling out for justice and protection for the people of Darfur. We encourage you and your churches to get involved and add your voice to the call for justice! This resource is intended to help you and your congregation to advocate prayerfully on behalf of the people of Darfur, and join the call to end the genocide. 3

4 BACKGROUND: THE CRISIS IN DARFUR In February 2003, an armed conflict escalated between an alliance of the Sudanese government forces and ethnic Arab militia and two non-arab African rebel groups called the Sudanese Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The rebel groups were demanding an end to chronic economic marginalization and sought power-sharing within the Arab-ruled Sudanese state. They also sought government action to end the abuses of Arab militias in the region. Instead of fighting the rebels, the government forces waged a systematic campaign against unarmed civilians belonging to the same ethnic groups as the rebel groups namely the Fur, Masaalit and Zaghawa. It organized a military and political partnership with some Arab nomads comprising the Janjaweed; armed, trained, and organized them. In response to the Security Council s demand that Janjaweed militia members be disarmed, the Sudanese government instead began to incorporate them into official state security units such as the police and semi-regular forces such as the Popular Defense Forces. Since the crisis in Darfur emerged, over 400,000 people have died and over 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes. Each day, over 500 innocent people die from violence, malnutrition and disease. The people of Darfur experience horrendous crimes, including gang rapes of women and girls, burning of homes and religious buildings, killing of babies, and other atrocities. Despite their efforts to help civilians, relief organizations have been targeted and aid workers have been arrested by the Sudanese government. Today, more than 2.5 million people are suffering from a preventable humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, but countless more can be saved. Not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape, and mass slaughter. The Janjaweed have systematically eliminated entire communities and continue to do so. Government air strikes frequently precede these vicious militia raids. Villages are razed; women, men, and children are raped, tortured, and murdered. The militias also target and destroy food and water supplies, threatening the victims chance for survival. These people are being deprived of their humanity. Many of them have lost their homes, communities, families, and dreams for the future. If the violence continues and the international community does not act to protect the people of Darfur, many more will die. These people need our help. As Canadians, and fellow human beings, we have a responsibility to protect them, and we owe them our support and prayers. 4

5 WHAT YOU CAN DO Become Informed Read about the ongoing crisis in Darfur. One great source of information on Darfur is the website of Eric Reeves, a professor from Smith College who has spent the past seven years working full-time as a Sudan researcher, analyst and consultant, almost entirely without pay. His website is: Additional Resources: Million Voices for Darfur Campaign. KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. Human Rights Watch: Bruce Clemenger s Letter on Darfur: Geoff Tunnicliffe s speech at the Save Darfur Rally in Washington DC. April 30, Janet Epp Buckingham s Weblog on Sudan: General Information about Sudan from the CIA World Fact Book: Pray Prayer is absolutely essential to any effective action on an issue. Pray for specific issues as they arise, and consider praying for the following issues: That the Canadian government would take every opportunity to denounce human rights abuses and take leadership in ending the genocide and protecting the people of Darfur That the Khartoum government would cease from waging and promoting violence against its own people, and fulfill its commitment to peace and sustainable development That peace would be restored in Sudan That those who have suffered so much for so long be strengthened with hope for the future. That a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation would begin to grow among all people within the country Raise Awareness Place information about the crisis in Darfur, as well as tips for action in your weekly bulletin and feature the Darfur issue in your monthly newsletter and on your Web site. Incorporate a special segment about Darfur into your regular worship service or other meeting. 5

6 Write Letters Sending a letter is a simple, yet powerful action that will show our elected officials that Canadians want immediate action to protect the people of Darfur. Let them know that Canadians and Canadian churches insist that more be done in Darfur. Remind them that we are a nation founded on the basic principles of human rights and justice for all, and that we have the responsibility to protect victims of genocide around the world. Launch a Letter-Writing Campaign A great way to mobilize your congregation is to launch a letter writing campaign. As an act of worship, your congregants can sign the letters together during the service doing this collectively can be a great experience for your church congregation! Here are some suggestions to help you carry this out: During Your Church Service: Distribute a packet of information as people enter. This packet could include 5 copies of the letter, a pen, background information on the genocide in Darfur and statements the EFC and WEA have made on the issue, as well as a sheet suggesting further ways to take action. Or, you can simply distribute letters and pens, and offer additional information after the service. Share with the congregation about the genocide in Darfur, providing some history and highlighting the need for justice, and the importance of collective action. Let them know that when they speak out together, they can have a great impact on their elected representatives, and the importance of letting the Canadian government know what it is we want them to do. Read the letter to the congregation, and then stop your presentation and give the congregation a few moments to fill out and sign the letter right then and there. There is incentive for everyone to participate at the same time in this collective action. Ushers of volunteers can go to the end of each row to collect the signed letters after this is done, or they can be collected when people exit the service. You can also suggest that every individual in the congregation knows at least 4 more people who want to stop the genocide, and that they should each ask their friends and family sign and send the extra letters. At the end of the service, send the letters [postage-free] to: Your MP s Name House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Prime Minister Stephen Harper House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 You can also write your own letters. Get tips on effective letter writing here: 6

7 SAMPLE LETTER Dear I am writing to express my deep concern as a Christian and a Canadian, regarding the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. Since February 2003, in the Darfur region, over 400,000 people have died and over 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes. I am deeply troubled by the failure of the international community, including Canada, to act decisively to protect the millions of civilians who are being displaced and massacred while their homes, communities, and livelihoods lay in ruin. The Sudanese government has not only failed to protect the Darfurian people, but has been complicit in massacring its own people. Not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape, and mass slaughter. And as in Rwanda, this is a preventable crisis. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, but countless more can be saved if countries like Canada act now. Canada is a nation founded on the basic principles of human rights and justice for all. We have the responsibility to protect victims of genocide around the world. If we allow the violence to continue, many more Darfurians will die. At this time, I call on the government of Canada to show international political leadership to: Ensure that urgent and adequate action is taken to halt the ongoing forced displacement and massacre of the Darfurian people, including the protection of civilian populations and disarming of militias; Press all parties to negotiate seriously to reach a sustainable political solution to the conflict that addresses long-term security and justice for the victims; Press the Sudanese government to allow independent human rights investigators to enter Darfur. By God s grace, may we have the courage to do what is right and take action to protect the people of Darfur. Thank you. Sincerely, 7

8 HELPFUL SCRIPTURES Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Proverbs 24: Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, But we knew nothing about this, does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? Isaiah 2:3-4 Come let us go up the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High. And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation--neither shall they learn war any more. And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken. Isaiah 58: 9-12 If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets and Dwellings. Micah 6:6-8 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (KJV) James 3:17-18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. Portions of this information were inspired or gathered from the following sources: Million Voices for Darfur Campaign. KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. 8