SEKEM Group 3, Belbeis Desert Road 11777 Cairo Egypt PO Box 2834 El Horreya, Heliopolis Tel: +20 (2) 6564124 Fax:+20 (2) 6564123 regina.hanel@sekem.com www.sekem.com Managing Director: Helmy Abouleish
SEKEM Group, 3, Belbeis Desert Road, 11777 Cairo
Cairo, 11 January 2015
Friends of SEKEM, the SEKEM community is shocked to learn of the terrorist attacks that took place at Paris. In the view of SEKEM, these attacks do not reflect the nature of Islam and are dealing a severe blow to its perception as a religion of peace in the world. SEKEM has always worked for the peaceful communion of equal people from all cultures and religious orientation in the spirit of Islam. Its community rejects fundamentalism and all forms of violence; they are not compatible with its values and mission. The events have reminded us of the importance of sincere understanding among all religions, equal opportunities for personal advancement for everyone, and a culture of participation in our societies. Only through tolerance and inclusion will the common future of all religions be one that is peaceful, respectful, and guided by a sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of all life. As a community of people bridging many beliefs and cultures, SEKEM intends to continue its work for a communion of human beings that builds on what all spiritual orientations share and that stands firm against dogmatism and violence. We include everyone suffering from the Paris attacks, their relatives and loved ones in our thoughts. The SEKEM Community Background: SEKEM – A Community for Sustainable Development The SEKEM-Group of companies is a part of the SEKEM Initiative founded in 1977 by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish to strengthen sustainable development in Egypt by producing, processing, and marketing organic and bio-dynamic foodstuffs, textiles, and phyto-pharmaceuticals in Egypt, the Arab World, and on international markets. SEKEM has been widely praised as an “Egyptian organic pioneer” and has received the 2003 Right Livelihood Award (“Alternative Nobel Prize”) as a „Business Model for the 21thCentury” and an “economy of love”. With part of their profits the SEKEM companies co-finance the social and cultural activities of the SEKEM Development Foundation that runs, among others, several schools, a medical centre, an academy of applied sciences, and other institutions in Egypt. To receive SEKEM’s monthly newsletter via email, please visit http://news.sekem.net Reprint free of charge, copy requested. Please contact us anytime for any inquiries and further information: SEKEM Gruppe Mr. Bijan Kafi Press and Public Relations – Europe Office Gotzkowskystr. 15 10555 Berlin bijan.kafi@sekem.com +49 (151) 15773101 www.sekem.com
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