Alexandria Process

The Alexandria Process is a process of active dialogue between religious leaders (Christian, Jewish and Muslim) in the Holy Land to build understanding and work towards peace.

History

The process began when George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, was asked by then Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres to try to convene a dialogue of religious leaders.^[1]

The Alexandria Declaration was signed in January 2002 by 14 religious leaders: 6 Rabbis, 4 Sheikhs and 4 Bishops or their representatives. The declaration has seven points and begins:

1. The Holy Land is holy to all three of our faiths. Therefore, followers of the divine religions must respect its sanctity, and bloodshed must not be allowed to pollute it. The sanctity and integrity of the Holy Places must be preserved, and the freedom of religious worship must be ensured for all.^[2]

Process

The process has two dimensions: internal, relating to the residents of Israel/Palestine, and external. Internally, the goal is to stimulate the ongoing dialogue between religious leaders, which has not existed here before. Externally, there is a need to involve the leaders of key Muslim countries whose support will be vital if there is agreement on issues like Jerusalem and the holy sites.^[3]

In January 2004, Israeli rabbis participated in a Muslim peace conference in Cairo that was part of the Alexandria Process.^[4]

Notes and references

1. BBC Radio 4 feature programme 2 Sept 2007
2. "The Alexandria Process". United States Institute of Peace. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
3. Israeli, Palestinian Religious Leaders Meet to Find a Way to Peace Presbyterian News Service March 27, 2002
4. Yoav Stern (14 January 2004). "Israeli rabbis participate in Muslim peace conference in Cairo". Haaretz. Retrieved 13 January 2014.