Gutteres wrote, “Today, I want to make a special appeal to religious leaders of all faiths to join forces to work for peace around the world and focus on our common battle to defeat COVID-19.”
Saying it is “a special time on the spiritual calendar,” he wrote, “For Christians, it is the celebration of Easter. Jews are marking Passover. And soon, Muslims will begin the holy month of Ramadan.”
He said, “We have always known these occasions to be moments of community. Of families coming together. Of hugs and handshakes and the gathering of humanity.”
“But this is a time like no other. We are all seeking to navigate a strange, surreal world. A world of silent streets. Shuttered storefronts. Empty places of worship. And a world of worry.”
He added, “We are worried about our loved ones who are equally worried about us.”
Inviting everyone to “take inspiration from the essence of these holy occasions as moments for reflection, remembrance and renewal,” Guterres added, “As we reflect, let us spare a special thought for heroic health workers on the frontlines battling this awful virus – and for all those working to keep our cities and towns going.”
He went on to say that “those in war zones and refugee camps and slums and all those places least equipped to fight the virus” are actually “the most vulnerable of the vulnerable around the world".
He urged everyone to renew their faith in one another and draw strength from the good that is gathering in troubled times as communities of diverse faiths and ethical traditions unite to care for one another.
“Together, we can and will defeat this virus – with cooperation, solidarity, and faith in our common humanity.”
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