Religious leaders unanimously against nuclear weapons

In Vienna, the first part of the International Conference on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, organized by the world organization Religions for Peace (RfP), the World Institute for Security and the United Religions Initiative, has concluded today, reports the Patria news agency.

Over 600 representatives of governments and organizations from more than 100 countries, as well as several UN organizations, are participating in the conference.

- This session was successful, with a strong message of faith that the production and use of nuclear weapons is an immoral act, so the demand of religious leaders and scholars is that nuclear weapons be completely destroyed and their further production banned, for anyone and anywhere - stated Dr. Mustafa Cerić, President of the World Bosniak Congress, who is participating in the conference.

In no way, he added, „can the existence of nuclear weapons that threaten the survival of humanity be justified!“.

- It seems to me that the world after the Cold War, in which I grew up, stopped worrying about nuclear weapons, considering them a relic of the past and an abstract danger that does not concern them too much. That is a mistake, a fundamental mistake given the fact that in the world, in at least 14 countries, there are more than 16,000 nuclear warheads ready for use - stated Sebastian Kurz, head of Austrian diplomacy, opening the conference.

The gathering was also greeted through its representative by Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, who emphasized that the fact of the existence of nuclear weapons in the world only complicates existing conflicts and makes them more dangerous.

- Nuclear weapons are a global problem, concerning all nations and certainly affecting future generations and this planet, which is our home. A global ethical approach is necessary if we want to reduce the nuclear threat and work on the elimination of nuclear weapons - conveyed Pope Francis, who also addressed the gathering through his representative, Apostolic Nuncio Mario Tomasia.

- I would like to encourage sincere and open dialogue among all – mutual dialogue among nations that possess such weapons, as well as with those that do not possess them. International organizations, civil societies, and religious communities must participate in this dialogue. A world without nuclear weapons must be the goal of world leaders, but also of millions of men and women around the world - emphasized Pope Francis.

Dr. Mustafa Cerić also addressed the gathering, emphasizing that man comes from God, that we all owe our lives to God and return to Him.

- I am here as a Muslim, a peaceful man, to tell you that the essence of my faith is PEACE, the concept of my theology is PEACE, the meaning of my ethics is PEACE, my moral obligation is PEACE, and my message here is PEACE. Truly, that is the message of every peaceful person on planet Earth - stated Dr. Cerić in his address.

Speaking about Islam as a religion of peace, a religion whose very name means peace, Dr. Cerić emphasized that „the exploitation of uranium, its processing and enrichment, as well as the production of nuclear weapons, nuclear tests, the use of nuclear weapons, accidents in nuclear power plants, the storage of nuclear waste, as well as the use of depleted uranium ammunition, is legally unsustainable and morally unacceptable!“.

- These deadly human activities are the gravest of all sins - emphasized Dr. Cerić.

The International Conference „Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons“ will continue on Tuesday, when it will conclude and the conclusions of the gathering will be adopted.