Virginia Interfaith Leaders Urge More Coordinated Action on Kidnapping of Nigerian Girls

Press Release

More than 80 Virginia religious leaders representing nearly every faith and denomination have signed a joint letter to world leaders, urging them to take more coordinated action to return more than 220 Nigerian girls who were kidnapped from their school by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The broad coalition of Virginia religious leaders was convened on Friday by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, with help from U.S. Senator Mark Warner. The interfaith group also has posted an online petition and have encouraged members of their respective faith communities and other Virginians to sign it as a public statement of condemnation for the actions of Boko Haram.

"Across our diverse faiths, we find absolute unity when it comes to defending vulnerable children, especially girls who are seeking a better life through education," Marco Grimaldo, CEO of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, said. "We must both speak against these violent acts and also do more to support the education and empowerment of women and girls in our communities and around the world."

"We join hands with our brothers and sisters in the various faith traditions in Virginia who have openly condemned these actions. Slavery, oppression and injustice are prohibited in Islam and Boko Haram actions and threats are not justified by any faith teachings," said Imad Damaj of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs.

"Our voices are strongest when we stand together," Sen. Mark Warner said. "I applaud the leadership of this interfaith coalition from all across the Commonwealth.

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