Human Rights News - Church of Scientology Human Rights Department

October, 2005

A Special Multi-Faith Service in Honor of the 2^nd Annual International Youth Summit

Rev. Elizabeth McKinney opens the service

On October 2, 2005, as part of the Youth for Human Rights International 3-day Youth Summit, the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles hosted a special interfaith service for the international youth delegates in attendance. The event featured religious readings from representatives of Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism, highlighting the spiritual truths in every religion while addressing human rights violations committed in the name of religion.

Reverend Elizabeth McKinney, representing the Christian faith, opened the service with a reading that spoke of people’s aspirations toward a more peaceful world.

Singer Howard McCrary performs

The President of the Church of Scientology Los Angeles then read “The Scientology Prayer for Total Freedom:”

“At this time, we think of those whose liberty is threatened; of those who have suffered imprisonment for their beliefs; of those who are enslaved or martyred, and for all those who are brutalized, trapped or attacked. We pray that human rights will be preserved so that all people may believe and worship freely, so that freedom will once again be seen in our land.”

Delegates Mmabatho Potwana from South Africa and Jamal Clark from Canada speak

The delegates also spoke. Mmabatho Potwana from South Africa and Jamal Clarke from Canada both reaffirmed their human rights missions and expressed pleasure at seeing people of so many different faiths peacefully under one roof.

Other faith messages came from Al Duffy, of the His Lai Temple, representing Buddhism; Abbas Zawawi, representing Saudi Arabian Islam; Moshon Reuveni, representing Judaism and Sukh Chugh, who represented Sikhism.

As a final message of unity in the cause of human rights the delegates and the faith representatives were called on stage for a Youth for Human Rights Prayer delivered by Rev. McKinney. The event closed with singer/songwriter Howard McCrary leading the congregation in an uplifting song, backed by a choir.