JULY 15, PRESS RELEASE

Nine hundred years ago today, the armies of the First Crusade encircled

Jerusalem with violence and religious hatred, today the descendants of the

Crusaders encircle the city as a sign of peace.

(RW-Jerusalem) – Nine hundred years ago today, the holy warriors of the First Crusade breached the walls of Jerusalem. In their misguided quest to establish God’s kingdom through military and political domination, they slaughtered tens of thousands of innocents. This was a betrayal of the teaching and example of Jesus Christ that has adversely affected relations between Muslims, Christians, and Jews to this day.

Through the Reconciliation Walk, some 2,500 western Christians have traveled to points along the Crusader route from Cologne, Germany through Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, finally arriving this week in Jerusalem. Along the way, they presented a message of regret to thousands of Muslim, Jewish, and Eastern Christian residents of the Middle East. Their apology is a gesture of hope for a better future.

This week, 400 people from 23 nations joined the Reconciliation Walk in an effort to meet the diverse peoples of Jerusalem. Their hope is to overcome the stereotypes and misunderstanding that feed religious violence by meeting face-to-face with Jerusalem’s modern residents.

Today, the Reconciliation Walk will encircle Jerusalem’s Old City walls, where they will pray for the peace of the city. Following this symbolic gesture, the Reconciliation Walk group will divide into three groups. Each will present a formal message of apology and regret for the atrocities and legacy of the Crusades to leaders of the Jewish, Muslim, and Eastern Christian communities, all of whom suffered at the hands of the Crusaders.

Following their meetings with community leaders, the Reconciliation Walk concludes its activities on this, the 900^th anniversary of the First Crusade, with a brief prayer at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.

Today’s Schedule

9:30 – 10:30 Prayer on the Old City walls

11:00 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate

12:30 Chief Rabbinate

1:30 Mufti of Jerusalem

Western Christians ``apologize'' for 11th century Crusade