CRLMC Condemns the Murder of Wadea Al-Fayoume
October 17, 2023 | Chicago—The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago condemns the horrific murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume and the brutal attack against his mother Hanaan Shahin in Plainfield on Saturday. We mourn for this child. We pray for his mother's recovery and for the welfare of his family.
These innocent people were stabbed repeatedly by their assailant simply because they were Muslim. This vile crime of hate is indefensible. It violates the common values and moral standards of every faith tradition on our Council. We stand with our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community.
Our faith traditions teach us that everyone possesses inalienable value and dignity. We pray that all of us remember this sacred principle. In this difficult moment, we must respect and watch over each other.
These innocent people were stabbed repeatedly by their assailant simply because they were Muslim. This vile crime of hate is indefensible. It violates the common values and moral standards of every faith tradition on our Council. We stand with our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community.
Our faith traditions teach us that everyone possesses inalienable value and dignity. We pray that all of us remember this sacred principle. In this difficult moment, we must respect and watch over each other.
Faith & Trust 2023-2024 Cohort
Applications for Future Interfaith Leadership Program Due October 31
October 1, 2023 | Chicago--CRLMC is now accepting applications from emerging faith leaders up to age 45 to participate in the Faith & Trust 2023-2024 Future Interfaith Leadership Cohort to foster interfaith cooperation and build civic connection among the next generation. The cohort will meet for monthly half-day seminars in order to to foster interfaith relationships and collaboration through dialogue; meet with CRLMC faith leaders and public officials to explore issues of community concern; and select a common focus issue for study and action. Additional program details are available here.
Eligible applicants are age 45 or younger and hold formal leadership roles in the metropolitan area. Participants who complete the program will receive a $500 stipend. The application deadline is October 31.
Eligible applicants are age 45 or younger and hold formal leadership roles in the metropolitan area. Participants who complete the program will receive a $500 stipend. The application deadline is October 31.
2024 InterFaith Calendar Now Available
Celebrate Interreligious Understanding Every Day!
The 2024 InterFaith Calendar is the Council's 14" x 22" full-color, twelve-month wall calendar. The 2024 InterFaith Calendar is developed by the Council in cooperation with 17 religious communities. It features dates and explanations of observances as well as information about basic beliefs, practices, religious writings, and demographics for each faith tradition. It is illustrated with art and sacred imagery from each religious community. It's a great tool for promoting interreligious understanding and respect every day of the year.
The 2024 InterFaith Calendar is $14.95 before December 1 ($19.95 afterward). Orders of 10 or more are $14.00 each plus shipping. Order online or submit your payment with this form.
The 2024 InterFaith Calendar is $14.95 before December 1 ($19.95 afterward). Orders of 10 or more are $14.00 each plus shipping. Order online or submit your payment with this form.
Order the 2024 InterFaith Calendar
CRLMC Welcomes 2023 Convening of the Parliament of the World's Religions
"No single community of faith working alone can resolve the challenges that all of us face. If we stand together for what we all believe, then our diversity is our greatest strength. We show people that there is another, better way."
August 14, 2023 | Chicago -- Below are the remarks of CRLMC President Barbara Abrajano at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Convening of the Parliament of the World's Religions.
Honored teachers, distinguished faith leaders, local and international guests: On behalf of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, I welcome you to our city and to this extraordinary Convening of the Parliament of the World's Religions. It is good to have you here in Chicago, the birthplace of this Parliament. Our Council was founded so that Chicago could hear the voices of its many and diverse faith communities united in speaking to the critical issues we all face. Our work is a direct continuation of the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. more
Honored teachers, distinguished faith leaders, local and international guests: On behalf of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, I welcome you to our city and to this extraordinary Convening of the Parliament of the World's Religions. It is good to have you here in Chicago, the birthplace of this Parliament. Our Council was founded so that Chicago could hear the voices of its many and diverse faith communities united in speaking to the critical issues we all face. Our work is a direct continuation of the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. more
August 8, 2023 | Chicago -- The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago is pleased to welcome the thousands of local and international participants to the 2023 Convening of the Parliament of the World's Religions which will take place August 14-18, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The Parliament at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition was the birthplace of the modern interfaith movement, and CRLMC is proud to mark the 130th anniversary of that historic event here in Chicago. Here is a listing of Convening plenaries, activities, workshops, and sessions which feature members of the Council.
The Parliament at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition was the birthplace of the modern interfaith movement, and CRLMC is proud to mark the 130th anniversary of that historic event here in Chicago. Here is a listing of Convening plenaries, activities, workshops, and sessions which feature members of the Council.
CRLMC Celebrates Juneteenth Day
June 19, 2023 | Chicago -- The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago calls on everyone in our community to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth Day.
Justice is a fundamental and essential element of society which obliges respect for rights and responsibilities in all circumstances. People of faith are called to speak for the rights of others, to remind fellow citizens of their responsibilities to the community, and to remind society of its obligation to foster the conditions needed to ensure freedom and equality for all persons.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of the horrific institution of slavery in our country and the freedom of African Americans. It also marks our commitment as a nation to the eradication of racism and to equal protection of the laws.
While our different religious communities understand ultimate reality in diverse ways, we all agree that all people are interconnected. When one suffers, we all suffer. When one rejoices, we all rejoice. We welcome everyone in our community to embrace Juneteenth's universal message of freedom and equality.
================
The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC) promotes cooperation, understanding, and collaboration among the faith communities of Chicago to advance the common good. A nonprofit organization founded in 1984, CRLMC is comprised of the head religious leadership of practically every major religious tradition in the broader Chicago area.
Justice is a fundamental and essential element of society which obliges respect for rights and responsibilities in all circumstances. People of faith are called to speak for the rights of others, to remind fellow citizens of their responsibilities to the community, and to remind society of its obligation to foster the conditions needed to ensure freedom and equality for all persons.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of the horrific institution of slavery in our country and the freedom of African Americans. It also marks our commitment as a nation to the eradication of racism and to equal protection of the laws.
While our different religious communities understand ultimate reality in diverse ways, we all agree that all people are interconnected. When one suffers, we all suffer. When one rejoices, we all rejoice. We welcome everyone in our community to embrace Juneteenth's universal message of freedom and equality.
================
The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC) promotes cooperation, understanding, and collaboration among the faith communities of Chicago to advance the common good. A nonprofit organization founded in 1984, CRLMC is comprised of the head religious leadership of practically every major religious tradition in the broader Chicago area.
January 5, 2023 | Chicago --The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago strongly endorses the Protect Illinois Communities Act. We call for its immediate passage by the Illinois General Assembly and for Governor Pritzker to sign it into law.
In every religious tradition, human life is sacred. For decades, we have grieved for those murdered with assault weapons and prayed for those who survived such attacks. These weapons of war are designed solely to kill human beings. Based on the common values and moral standards which unite our Council, we have concluded that there is no place for them in our communities.
We endorse the provisions of the Protect Illinois Communities Act. It will ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines and remove firearms from dangerous persons. While these steps are only part of a comprehensive response to gun violence, they are fundamental to any solution.
We therefore call on the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act and for Governor Pritzker to sign it into law. The time to act is now.
================
The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC) promotes cooperation, understanding, and collaboration among the faith communities of Chicago to advance the common good. A nonprofit organization founded in 1984, CRLMC is comprised of the head religious leadership of practically every major religious tradition in the broader Chicago area.
In every religious tradition, human life is sacred. For decades, we have grieved for those murdered with assault weapons and prayed for those who survived such attacks. These weapons of war are designed solely to kill human beings. Based on the common values and moral standards which unite our Council, we have concluded that there is no place for them in our communities.
We endorse the provisions of the Protect Illinois Communities Act. It will ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines and remove firearms from dangerous persons. While these steps are only part of a comprehensive response to gun violence, they are fundamental to any solution.
We therefore call on the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act and for Governor Pritzker to sign it into law. The time to act is now.
================
The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC) promotes cooperation, understanding, and collaboration among the faith communities of Chicago to advance the common good. A nonprofit organization founded in 1984, CRLMC is comprised of the head religious leadership of practically every major religious tradition in the broader Chicago area.
