Interfaith Solidarity Expressed for Situation in Haiti

Yesterday, Sarah and I helped convene a new initiative, entitled DC Interfaith Response.  Our project – a joint initiative between ONE, the Faiths Act Fellowship, Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty, and Institute for Faith and Service – aimed to bring people and congregations of faith from around Washington DC together to stand against global poverty. 

Our meeting had been scheduled for nearly a month, but it happened to come less than 24 hours after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti.  The unfolding tragedy quickly took center stage at our gathering.  As the poorest nation in our hemisphere, the tragic situation there had deep resonance for the faith leaders assembled. 

Coming from diverse religious traditions and neighborhoods throughout the district, the assembled group was united in its dedication to advance the cause of combating poverty.  One leader spoke at the meeting, saying, “Supporting communities in need is not an act of charity – it is an act of faith, for all of us.”

Although the meeting had been scheduled until 2pm, several people stayed around after, in a conference room on the seventh floor of Washington National Cathedral, to discuss how the faith community can offer a collaborative and unified response to the situation in Haiti.

We are in the process of putting together a network of congregations and communities to offer a joint response to the situation – but already, informal partnerships between disparate faith communities and actors have been made. 

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik of the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center, said, “DC Interfaith Response has the capacity to fill the gap that is not addressed in any of the individual faith-based work or in our current interfaith networks.  So, we are seizing upon the crisis in Haiti to test the capacity of this new but timely effort.” 

Although the gathering was galvanized by the current situation in Haiti, there was a somber recognition that their work would have to be marked by patience and dedication.  The relief effort is already underway, and will need to be well-resourced; but long-term dedicated development after the immediate emergency can not be forgotten. 

The Washington DC faith community, although extremely diverse, stands united in its solidarity with the world’s poorest people.  And in this moment, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti, relief workers and their families, and the Haitian Diaspora here in our own country.