Document
Letter to H.E. Mr Nabil Ramlawi, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations in Geneva, 6 June 2001.
Your Excellency,
On behalf of the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Palestinian people, the Jerusalemites and Husseini family on the sad occasion of Mr Faissal Husseini's sudden death.
We join the numerous voices from all over the world in our praise and appreciation for what Mr Husseini believed and stood for throughout his lifetime. The WCC benefited immensely from his wisdom and expertise, especially in considering policy positions on the future status of his beloved city of Jerusalem. His commitment to justice and sharing, coexistence and non-violence will always remain with us as his true legacy.
With all peace-loving people of this world we mourn the loss of this great leader and pray that the Palestinian and Israeli people, and the Jerusalemites in particular, will be able to keep his memory alive by following in his courageous steps until Jerusalem really becomes the city of all its inhabitants.
For the writers of the New Testament, Jerusalem represents a symbol for the new creation, for the promise of the fullness of life in community where God will wipe away all tears, and "there shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain, for the former world has passed away." (Rev. 21:4)
Respectfully Yours,
Salpy Eskidjian
Programme Executive for Middle East Affairs
International Relations
