Religious Leaders to Walk for Peace

Leaders from the Catholic, Muslim, Anglican, Uniting and other religious communities have come out in support of the 30 November Walk Against the War, spokesperson Dr Hannah Middleton said in Sydney this morning.

His Eminence the Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Taj Aldin Alhilali, commented: "To attack Iraq is to add another tragedy to humanity. It will mean more orphans, more widows, more misery, more destruction and more displacement of people.

"The Earth is screaming: Enough Bloodshed!" Bishop Pat Power added: "While the prospect of a war against Iraq varies from day to day, many people have serious concerns that the U.S and some of its allies, including Australia, are too easily walking towards war."

The Walk Against the War is part of a national weekend of action against the war on Iraq in which rallies are planned for cities and towns across Australia, Dr Middleton said.

The Walk will end in the Domain with speeches by Bishop Power, Sheikh Al-hilali, John Pilger, Iraqi Migrants Council President Kassim Abood, Medical Association for the Prevention of War President Dr Sue Wareham, ACTU President Sharan Burrow, and Rawan Abdul Nabi from the Palestinian community.

There will be performances by John Howard, Jenny Morris, Peter Combe, CNNNN (The Chaser), Leonardo's Bride and the Café at the Gates of Salvation.

For more information, please contact: Dr Hannah Middleton 0418 668 098; Alison Lyssa 02 9389 2084 or Nick Everett 0409 762 081