Church Leaders to Visit Tehran, Hope to Defuse Nuclear TensionsBy Katherine Boyle
Religion News Service
WASHINGTON - A delegation of 13 U.S. Christian leaders will travel to Iran to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Feb. 17-25 to foster dialogue between Iran and the U.S. and promote a diplomatic solution to tensions between the two countries.
The group has arranged meetings with Christian and Muslim religious leaders, women serving in the Iranian parliament and former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. Several delegation members met with Ahmadinejad during his trip to New York City last fall, when the idea for the visit to Iran was born.
The trip was organized by the Mennonite Central Committee and the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker group. Others participating include Sojourners/Call to Renewal; the Episcopal, Catholic and United Methodist churches; the National Council of Churches and Pax Christi USA.
The leaders also hope to use person-to-person exchanges between Iranians and Americans to help each group overcome cultural and religious stereotypes.
"People in our country and people in their country have many misunderstandings," said Mary Ellen McNish, general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee. "We want to try to forgive each other and come to an understanding about how we can go forward in a peaceful way."
David Robinson, the executive director of the Catholic organization Pax Christi USA, said he believes the trip will help change persistent stereotypes about Iranians.
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