14/08/2022 - 04/09/2022
Members
Rabbi Jeffrey Steven Berger
Rabbi at Wembley Synagogue, London, UK
Reverend Dwi Argo Mursito
Minister at the Javanese Christian Church of Pekalongan, Indonesia
Imam Alaa Elzokm
Imam at the Elsedeaq Islamic Society Melbourne, Australia
Project Report
Conclusion of the Journey
The fifth circle of the 1000 Abrahamic Circles, the “Abraham’s Legacy” emphasizes the role and significance of the religious community in tackling climate change. Each circle member is able to demonstrate great participation and cooperation with the 1000 Abrahamic Circle program. As the circle members are faced with the difference from being a majority to becoming a minority religious group or vice versa. Meeting people with differing worldviews, they were able to build ties with each other as shown through their friendship and sisterhood by the end of the journey. During the journey, circle members were able to witness the prayer service and everyday life of the other two Abrahamic religions, creating a safe space for an open dialogue and thus establishing mutual respect. As can be seen from their public discourse how circle members have acquired various reflective understandings from the historical standpoints to the day-to-day religious values and practices that are adhered to by the adherents of other Abrahamic religions. Their perspectives were enlightened as they confronted each of their prejudice, curiosity, and ignorance through challenging questions posed to each other during the program as well as from public discussions and congregation members towards them. However, they found a commonality of religious reaching and struggles amongst them. As Rabbi Jeffrey said “It is like we are pilots. One from Malindo Air, one from Etihad, and another one from Emirates. We are from different airlines, but we face the same challenges as a pilot.” The members agree to condemn views or principles like radicalism in the name of faith, oppression of minorities or gender and that they uphold human values above everything, they were able to establish positive ties with their respective religions.
Along the journey, the circle members continuously discuss the role of religious communities in preserving the environment. On the trip around Pekalongan, the circle members visited the floodplain area around the northern periphery of the town due to the rising sea level and land subsidence. The area will create hundreds of environmental refugees in the coming years. They have also visited the Batik museum to see the collections of batik and afterward sightseeing the batik-dyed polluted river to witness the harmful environmental impact of the cost of producing beautiful batik fabrics. The circle members had a discussion with tens of religious and environmental movements in the town, coming to the conclusion of the importance of emphasizing the relevance of social and contemporary issues to be included in sermons, and teachings, in careful and wise ways. The discussion has triggered and encouraged the grassroots environmental movement in Pekalongan to push for more changes in order to clean their city, Moved by the initiatives and spirits of the youths of Pekalongan in Environment, the circle members declare their pledge of 3.000 AUD and 1000 Pounds respectively as an award for the most active environmental communities.
The Circle shows how, the three religious leaders’ ability to bond despite their difference in age, and came to bond with one another due to the urgency claimed by the circle members both to save their environment and to reach peace and friendship among religions as failure to them would cost everything. The circle members have a clear contrast of personalities, Rabbi Jeff Berger can be seen as a meticulous careful man, while Reverend Dwi Argo can be seen as a silent, easy-going person, and Sheikh Alaa Elzokm with his cheerful and charismatic personality, yet they manage to find friendship and bond over the same crisis they have together.
The Eco-Circle has gained incredible influence and range due to its novel idea of embracing social and urgent crises in society through religion and grassroots communities as can be seen from the meeting with the Australian Minister, Pekalongan Mayor’s special staff, and the article from the United Kingdom.
Outside of doing interfaith activities such as engaging in dialogue, visiting religious sites and initiating public discussion, the fifth circle, The Abraham’s Legacy circle members were also bond well as they have common ground that they shared, being a father to a daughter and their love to football. The fifth circle members spent the three weeks of the program engaging in interfaith dialogues and discussions while in their free time.
One of the purposes of this circle is to spread awareness of Abrahamic religious communities’ role in tackling climate change, as their role is not fully utilized to its great potential. During the journey of this circle, we can see how the religious communities can have a role to preserve the environment. Imam Alaa’s and Rabbi Jeff’s congregation have proven it by pledging financial support to help Reverend Argo’s town. It is not an exaggeration to say this circle has changed the mindset of religious communities in climate action and enhanced the potential of the international interfaith grassroots networks to create positive changes in tackling climate change.
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