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CGJR: Events Home | Program Areas | Events | News | Staff | Partners | Brochures | Contact Past Events Film Screening: Rumi Returning CGJR presented a screening of a documentary about key events in the life of Rumi, the Sufi mystic and poet. Rumi Returning outlines the key events in the of Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi. The film beautifully illustrates the life of the best-selling poet in the United States and richly communicates Rumi’s messages of love, tolerance and passion for God (who he calls “the Beloved.”). Sufism and the Islamic world of the Middle Ages are brought to life through portrayals of Muslim architecture, art, clothing and dance of the Whirling Dervishes. The film features commentary from Coleman Barks, Andrew Harvey, Uzeyir Ozyurt, and Akbar Ahmed. A question and answer period with the film’s producers, Cynthia Lukas and Kell Kearns, followed the screening. Iranian Film Screening: Bam 6.6 In our work in the Cathedral’s Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation, we are often reminded of the power of art in conveying the common humanity of peoples standing on opposite sides of a conflict. As part of our continued efforts to support reconciliation between the American and Iranian people, we invite you to a screening of a very powerful documentary. Bam 6.6 details the true story of two American tourists trapped in the earthquake rubble of the Iranian city of Bam and walks through the aftermath of the disaster with a message of hope and friendship. Veteran film producer/director Jahangir Golestan captures the destruction that claimed 50,000 lives and left tens of thousands injured, homeless, and orphaned but forever united two American families with the Iranian people. As Americans and Iranians join together in relief efforts and struggle to repair their lives, we witness lasting friendships evolve and experience the graciousness and hospitality of a nation that is all but unknown to most Americans. The film weaves together stories of survival, loss, and healing and exposes the humanity of the Iranian people as viewed through the prism of a great national disaster. Bam 6.6 allows the viewer to transcend political, religious, and social differences with its simple messages of love and caring amidst tragedy and conveys the genuine and powerful connections that take place among people during times of crisis. Producer/director Jahangir Golestan held a question and answer period following the film’s screening. Panel Discussion: “The U.S. and Iran: a Difficult History”
Questions for discussion included “How did the relationship get to this point?” and “Is it possible to have honesty in this relationship?” Also explored were Iranians’ lingering grievances with and perceptions of Americans after the 1953 CIA-backed coup and, conversely, the grievances Americans may hold against Iran including and beyond the 1979 hostage crisis. Representatives from both sides talked openly about what lies behind the antagonism between the two countries and discussed constructive ideas and solutions for moving forward. The event was free and open to the public, and was webcast live. Panelists included:
Consultation of International Religious Leaders on Global Poverty At the urgent call of Church leaders in the Southern Hemisphere, 35 leaders of Christian denominations worldwide gathered at Washington National Cathedral from September 11th to September 13th 2005, for a Consultation of International Religious Leaders on Global Poverty. The Consultation focused on the church’s role in ending extreme poverty and supporting the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. The Consultation of International Religious Leaders on Global Poverty opened with a Day of Reflection on Global Poverty, including a speech by Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and special advisor to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and concluding with an interfaith service of music and prayer, featuring the Most Rev. Njongonkulu W.H. Ndungane, Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa; the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the USA, former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, and the Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. In subsequent closed sessions, the leaders discussed how each of their institutions could work more effectively to end extreme poverty, and how to bring Southern and Northern Hemisphere churches into closer collaboration to achieve this goal. Their meetings resulted in a Communiqué, “A Call to Partnership”, calling for a global partnership for development and offering communities of faith as new models for advancing the Millennium Development Goals. The Consultation participants traveled to New York and presented the Communiqué to Mme. Louise Fréchette, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and to the Co-Chair of the United Nations’ 2005 World Summit, H.E. Jean Ping. On September 17, the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki , praised the Call to Partnership in his address at the opening of the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (pdf) and used its language to frame his own challenge to the United Nations to unite “in a common concern for those of us living in poverty. We see their faces; we hear their voices; they are a part of us, and we are a part of them.” |
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Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD) served as moderator for a lively evening of respectful engagement and open discussion
between representatives from the U.S. and Iran which focused on the
historical dynamics that frame the current relationship between the
two countries.Cathedral College Home | Washington National Cathedral | Directions
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