German Federal President Dr Johannes Rau honoured by the International Council of Christians and Jews
ICCJ - Heppenheim - The Gold Medallion "Peace Through Dialogue" was presented to German Federal President Dr Johannes Rau by the ICCJ. As ICCJ President, Rabbi Prof. David Rosen stated, this honour was given in recognition of Dr Rau's continuing open engagement in the mutual understanding and dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims. Similarly, the ICCJ also appreciates the President's unwavering commitment to overcome racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia. As a politician of international renown President Rau has contributed much to ensure equal rights of all religions as well as the protection of minorities.
The event honouring the President took place in the former home of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber in Heppenheim (South Hesse) which for over twenty years now has served the ICCJ as head office. Present among the ICCJ's representatives was it Patron, Sir Sigmund Sternberg. The ICCJ is the international umbrella organisation of 33 national Jewish-Christian dialogue associations worldwide.
ICCJ General Secretary, Pastor Friedhelm Pieper, pointed out that Johannes Rau was the third German Federal President visiting the Martin Buber House. This growing recognition of the work done by the ICCJ in the realm of Jewish-Christian relations is received by the ICCJ as welcome encouragement.Members of the ICCJ Executive Board briefly presented to the President an overview of more recent developments in the field of Jewish-Christian relations and the specific challenges facing the ICCJ in the trilateral dialogue including Islam, in Latin America and in Israel. The President received these presentations with knowledgeable interest.