RESOLUTION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS

from Women's Division Board of Directors Meeting, October 2001

The terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11 have deeply affected us as individuals, as a nation, and as people of faith. Our prayers and concerns go out to the families of many faiths and many countries affected by the tragedy.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to choose life over death (Deut. 30:19). We are also called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). As United Methodist Women we are challenged to commit ourselves, through prayer, study and action, and to continue the search for peace with justice.

We therefore call on United Methodist Women to:

• Urge the President to use diplomatic means to bring the perpetrators of terrorists acts to justice and to end the bombing of Afghanistan. Countries of the South as well as the North must be involved as decision makers in addressing efforts to combat terrorism.
  
• Reach out to persons of other faiths and become educated on the beliefs of Islam. We commend as a resource the 1989-1990 mission study on the World of Islam and the November 2000 issue of Response on "Interfaith Challenges, Interfaith Understanding." (See The Book of Resolutions, 2000 ACalled to Be Neighbors and Witnesses: Guidelines for Interreligious Relationships@)
  
• Work to prevent racial profiling and acts of harassment or violence directed at Muslims, Arabs and those perceived to be Muslims. (See The Book of Resolutions 2000, APrejudice Against Muslims and Arabs in the United States.") Further, we ask our members to continue to monitor hate crime activity and to report such incidents to the Women=s Division.
  
• Urge the President to press for peace in the Middle East, including security for the state of Israel and justice and sovereignty for the Palestine people.
  
• Become informed on proposed anti-terrorist legislation through the UMW Action Network and the Legislative Letter and oppose efforts to curb constitutionally protected civil liberties.