The Muslim Public Affairs Council today voiced its support to the Catholic Church’s Synod, which recently called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and for increased dialogue as a means to establishing justice in the Middle East.

SEE: Pope Closes Middle East Synod with Impassioned Call for Peace (Catholic News Agency)

SEE: Midest Synod’s Concluding Statement (Zenit.org) 

After meeting for two weeks, the Catholic Synod (a council of archbishops which convenes to decide upon doctrine) released a statement saying that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must come to an end because it is damaging the region and its people. The synod statement then calls for a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine would exist side by side.  

Among many issues it addresses, the synod statement embraces Muslims, saying, "We are brothers and sisters; God wishes us to be together, united by one faith in God and by the dual commandment of love of God and neighbor."

MPAC today sent a letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in support of their decision to push for increased Muslim-Catholic dialogue and peace in the Middle East.

The MPAC letter in part reads:

"We support the Catholic Church’s consistent stance, re-affirming itself as one of the loudest voices among an international, multi-faith chorus calling for a just peace, based on a two-state solution. MPAC includes itself among such voices.

Throughout history, regardless of violent conflicts, the followers of our religions have strived to be a force for justice and peace-building. The Synod’s Concluding Statement is a fine example of this. It also is an affirmation of the Quran’s exhortation to Muslims, Christians and Jews: “Compete with one another in doing good deeds!” (5:48). 

“We welcome and support the Catholic Church’s strong stance in support of a two-state solution and dialogue for justice in the Middle East,” said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati. “The struggle for justice and peace in the Middle East is not the sole responsibility of any one religion. This is a moral concern that transcends worldly bounds.”