The moment representatives from 7 faith communities marched together onto a stadium in Durban on the 27th of November was filled with beauty. The esthetic beauty of the colours and shapes of the attires supported the more profound beauty. The beauty of unity between the various faiths gathering in the fight against climate change.
 |
| One of the faith leaders, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu |
200 000 signatures were brought to the stage in a tiny version of the Ark and handed over to the COP President Nkoana-Mashabane and Christina Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC. While the latter thanked the faith communities for their efforts and encouraged all to endure in the struggle even after COP17 she fought to hold her tears back.
 |
Towards the end of the event the rain started pouring down. The tiny version of the Ark situated in the middle of the crowd represented only too well the lack of ways out should the Earth have to go through the disastrous effects of climate change. Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu and Natural religious voices are clear: “We have faith – Act now for climate justice!”
The event had its moving moments. But also its share of fun. Desmond Tutu contributed with his good humour. It probably culminated with general secretaries, reverends and bishops dancing in the rain until they were soaked. Apparently faiths coming together can do more than mobilizing against climate change. A Christian form of rain dance was one of the unintended products. Wondering what will happen next time. Definitely looking forward to it.
No comments:
Post a Comment