As members of the Religious Liberty Partnership meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, we support the appeal of our brothers and sisters in Syria for the worldwide church to pray for the nation of Syria and the Syrian church at large amidst the current crisis. We specifically call on Christian denominations and organizations worldwide to take this appeal to their members in recognition that we are one body united in Christ.

The RLP acknowledges:
• The call of Syrian Christian leaders for prayer as they struggle to survive amidst this crisis;
• The frustration and fears of the Syrian people following decades of political repression;
• The Syrian refugees and displaced finding protection and critical assistance in Lebanon,
• Jordan, Turkey and other countries;
• The important international efforts to broker a solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria;
• and
• The nation’s historic ethnic and religious diversity and peaceful coexistence which is
• now placed at risk.

The RLP is concerned about:
• The exodus of Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities from Syria as well as the attacks on and destruction of religious sites of all faiths;
• The lack of respect for humanitarian law, including kidnappings, and ongoing violence;
• The security and well-being of Syrian refugees and those internally displaced; and
• The inadequate input from and representation of ethnic and religious minorities in the political dialogue regarding the ongoing crisis in Syria.

We call on the international community:

• To provide sufficient protection for all ethnic and religious communities as well as their historical, religious, and cultural sites;
• To encourage all relevant parties to uphold international humanitarian standards, including appropriate and principled communication, fundraising, and program administration;
• To collaborate with organizations assisting the church in Syria and to promote peaceful coexistence between all ethnic and religious communities;
• To support organizations and agencies working to improve the security and provide for the well-being of those displaced;
• To work toward a peaceful political and diplomatic solution to the conflict that ensures the participation of all Syrians including all ethnic and religious communities.

We call on the worldwide church:
• To participate with the Refugee Highway Partnership (www.refugeehighway.net) in World Refugee Sunday, June 23, 2013 and designate it as a special day of prayer for Christians in Syria and all those affected by the current crisis; and
• To write to the UN Special Envoy for Syria and ask him to pay particular attention to vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities, ensuring their equal participation in his mandate.

The RLP commits:
• To pray for the church and its leaders as they stand amidst the ongoing attacks on their communities throughout the crisis;
• To raise awareness and work toward a peaceful solution of the current crisis, including reconciliation among the various ethnic and religious communities; and
• To utilize practicies that prioritize that well-being of all Syrians when providing assistance and advocating on behalf of the vulnerable.