Press Releases
Religious Tolerance
September 11, 2009
“The terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001 were acts of the worst kind of intolerance. Today, on the eighth anniversary of those horrendous events, we choose to commemorate them by celebrating tolerance. That is why we have invited several leaders of local religious communities to discuss ways in which people of different faiths can live together in peace – here and elsewhere.
While the DRC often looks to other countries for examples in economic development and democratic institutions, the rest of the world could learn from the Congolese how to be more tolerant of those who hold different religious beliefs. We commend the people of Kinshasa, and their religious leaders, for their tolerance and the positive role that religious institutions play in this city. We want them to know that the American Embassy is a friend to all faiths, and that encouraging religious tolerance is an important goal for this mission. And we look forward to working together with our new friends to spread a message of hope and faith to build a better future.”