Christian Aid will join other organisations on 17 September, as churches, mosques and synagogues across the UK will pray for the people of Darfur in Sudan.
In London at 12.30pm representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities in the UK will join in prayer outside Downing Street before meeting the UK government to ask them to do everything possible to help resolve the ongoing crisis in Darfur.
“The millions of displaced people in Darfur are now facing an even more uncertain and insecure future,” said Judith Melby, Africa journalist for Christian Aid. “With the African Union force set to leave they will be left with no protection.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult for humanitarian agencies such as Christian Aid to provide urgently needed services. We have heard political leaders say ‘never again’ with regard to the conflict in Darfur – we now need the actions that will ensure a peaceful end to this catastrophe.”
The Sudanese government has declared recently that it will allow African Union peacekeepers to remain in war-ravaged Darfur, on the condition that the troops are not part of the proposed United Nations force.
However, latest developments have indicated that the African Union (AU) has reaffirmed its intention to leave Sudan's Darfur region by the end of September when its truce monitors' mandate expires.
The Most Rev Archbishop Desmond Tutu invites the public to join him in a prayer for Darfur, Sudan.
Following is a written prayer by Rev Desmond Tutu:
We pray for the people of Darfur who have been
terrorised and forced from their homes; for those who have fled to refugee camps, and who still live in fear;
We pray for those who have died, and for their families;
We pray for the women in Darfur who face danger every day as they leave their camps for firewood - may You watch over Your daughters;
We pray for the children of Darfur, especially those who face a frightening world without one or both of their parents - may they be protected and comforted;
We pray for the saftey of the humanitarian aid workers as they feed and care for the people of Darfur;
We pray for the safety of the African Union's Mission in Darfur as they work in difficult circumstances;
We pray for the safety of the United Nations' Peacekeepers when they begin their duties in Darfur;
We pray that the world's leaders will be guided by You in their quest for justice and safety for Darfur's people - may they be inspired by Your humanity;
Remind us that we are all your children, and teach us to listen;
We pray that those who are causing death and misery in Darfur will turn away from racism and violence – may they be forgiven when they turn to You for guidance instead;
Teach us to rejoice in all the things we have in common and respect each others’ differences;
We pray that people everywhere will strive to live in peace, tolerance, and respect, no matter what their faith or race - may we gain the wisdom, grace, and generosity of spirit to overcome our differences and live as one.
Amen