«At the end of September 1914, I had been gravely injured and I was lying on the ground in misery like my companions. At daybreak, I saw the heavy silhouette of the curate moving around the area. When it came to my turn I said to him in all honesty, 'I am a stranger to your way of worship and I do not share your convinctions'. He replied: 'My child, if you have to appear before the Supreme Judge shortly, know that He will be a judge of love'. This scene is one that I will never forget.»

Rene Cassin Nobel Prize winner and the 4th President of the Honoray Committee of the AIDLR

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Press Release on the “New Zealand terrorist attacks” submitted by the International Association for the Defense of Religious Liberty (AIDLR), from Bern, Switzerland

Mar 15th, 2019

AIDLR strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in two mosques in Christchurch (New Zealand)

Unfortunately, new terrorist attacks, violence and extremism feeds again people with fear and affect humanity. The world today, more than ever, need love, prayer, vigilance and speaking out against hate speech, nationalism and terrorism.

The International Association for the Defense of Religious Liberty (AIDLR) strongly condemn the extremist views and terrorist attacks perpetrated in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday 15 March 2019 during the Muslims’ worship. We have a deep pain for every person of at least 49 people killed and many people seriously injured in this hate-filled terror attack. The AIDLR pray for and expresses compassion with Christchurch and all families affected by these inhumane and brutal crimes. We express solidarity with the worldwide people that have been affected by violence, persecution and some cruel terrorist attacks.

None of us do we have the right to ever forget that Christians, Jews, Muslims and adherents of all other religions and religious minorities, believers or not, people of different colors, men and women, refugees and migrants, everyone is unique, has dignity and is a precious gift of God; but every human being has the responsibility to be a peacemaker and together we are brothers and sisters in humanity.

The AIDLR believes the respect for diversity, interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and education and vigilance for protection of life, religious freedom or belief, need to be strongly encouraged in every part of the world.

In this painful time, we pray for and we are united in solidarity with the people of New Zealand and specially with all Muslims from all the world. Brothers and sisters, only together, more than ever, we must build peace, understanding between all people, cultures and religions.