Fire for Justice

The 34-day clash between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerillas highlighted the longstanding rift between Jews and Muslims. And in the wake of the Pope’s inflammatory remarks about Islam and the effigy burnings and calls for jihad that have followed, there’s a conspicuous absence of solidarity between Catholics and Muslims.

Well, except for a few days after the Pope’s remarks, when Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra and Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks joined thousands of activists to pray for the Darfuri people and to pressure their governments to protect the innocent civilian population.

Using media outreach, grassroots mobilization and special events like the “Global Day for Darfur” on September 17, Save Darfur is the face of the global effort to pressure policymakers to help the people of Darfur. It is comprised of over 170 faith-based, advocacy and humanitarian organizations, from the American Society for Muslim Advancement to the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

Save Darfur is doing something. It is making noise and raising awareness. It is rallying people of every race, religion and creed around a common cause. And people are paying attention.

But genocide in Darfur is just one of a handful of global crises gripping specific regions of the globe. World Aids Day and The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church need supporters too. What about instituting a “Day for Victims of Sex Trafficking” or the “Global Day for Equal Opportunity in Education?”

Granted, it’s not about a “day.” It’s about the buzz. It’s about headlines. It’s about any press release, special event or lobbying effort that catalyzes change. That’s where we come in. It’s a grave responsibility we bear, but one that when realized, will fan the flame of justice around the world.