Contact: World Council of Churches, +41-22-791-6153, +41-79-507-6363, media@wcc-coe.org

MEDIA ADVISORY, Nov. 20 /Standard Newswire/ -- Religious freedom and interreligious dialogue will be on the agenda of an international ecumenical delegation visiting Pakistan from 24 November to 1 December. The group will discuss how churches can help ease political and religions tensions with representatives from churches, the Muslim community and government officials.

The international ecumenical delegation sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC) will learn about the work of the churches in interreligious relations, how Christians deal with situations of tension and conflict and the contributions made by civil society organizations. Returning back home they will share their experience with their churches.

After almost a decade of military dictatorship, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan returned to democratically elected civilian rule in February this year. Fighting in the tribal areas along the Pakistan-Afghan border has recently intensified with cross border attacks from US forces based in Afghanistan creating tensions between the Pakistani and US governments. Militant groups have sometimes targeted local Christians by kidnappings and killings, presuming them to be US proxies or sympathizers. They have also targeted foreigners in other parts of the country.

In February 2008 the WCC central committee hailed interfaith initiatives of the Church of Pakistan that "mobilize non-violent responses to acts of terrorism by building a culture of peace and interfaith harmony in the country". It also noted that Pakistani churches and faith communities have condemned "violence, terrorism and all other forms of dehumanizing measures".

The visit of the international ecumenical delegation, hosted by the Church of Pakistan and the National Council of Churches of Pakistan, is part of the WCC "Living Letters" initiative. Several Living Letters visits take place each year throughout the world in the context of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence in order to prepare for the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in 2011.

Members of the Ecumenical delegation:

Prof. Charles Amjad-Ali, Church of Pakistan, Pakistan/United States
Deacon Michael Barseghyan, Armenian Apostolic Church (See of Etchmiadzin)
Ms. Monisha Smith, Presbyterian Church in United States
Rev. Dr. Aart Verburg, Protestant Church in Netherlands

WCC staff:
Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, Director of WCC Inter-religious dialogue and cooperation
Mr. Henrik Hansson, Intern, WCC Communications

Living Letters to Pakistan blog:
http://overcomingviolence.org/?id=6410

WCC member churches in Pakistan:
http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=4678

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.