Westminster Synagogue hosts interfaith event for climate marchers

Leaving for the demonstration

There was standing room only at Westminster Synagogue in Knightsbridge yesterday, at a vibrant interfaith event for participants in the Climate March. After a warm welcome from Rabbi Dr Thomas Salamon, there were moving testimonies from Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Buddhist speakers - united by a shared concern for protection of the earth and all who live on it.

"We are tasked to be protectors and custodians of the planet" Sheik Talat from Palmers Green Mosque, quoting from Koranic teaching.

Voltaire Alferez from Climate Action Philippines, pointed out that his country had suffered the impact of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 which killed more than 6,000 people .. but also these catastrophic events are now taking place every few months. "We cannot carry on under this kind of new normal...we demand fair and ambitious action from the leaders of the world, particularly from those historically responsible countries, to reduce carbon emissions and sufficiently support vulnerable countries."

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberberg from North London Synagogue, praised Pope Francis' document Laudato Si', which has called us all together and "invites us to hear the cry of the earth." The Rabbi also shared a beautiful anecdote about listening to animals, and described himself as 'a passionate vegetarian'.

There were contributions from Dr Ruth Valerio from ARocha; Brian Thomas, Buddhist director of Dharma Action Network for Climate and Helen Drewney Quaker general secretary. The event concluded with a guided meditation on mindfulness, and a time of silence, before participants began filing out to pick up their placards and banners and join the march - (to the tune of Bella Chow).

The service was supported by Christian Aid, CAFOD, Quakers in Britain, Islamic Relief, MADE in Europe, World Jewish Relief and Oil Vay among others.

Read more about Westminster Synagogue here: http://westminstersynagogue.org/