January 15, 2008

Re: Holocaust Museum trip

Statement from Daniel Pearl parents, on a united trip organized by the Daniel Pearl Education Center. East Brunswick, NJ, January 21, 2008 

Six years ago, on January 23, 2002, we learned that our son, Danny Pearl, was kidnapped in Pakistan, and people of all faiths from all around the globe united in prayer for his safe return.   A few weeks later, the world learned of his senseless murder and mourned him collectively. Today, we remember Danny as a Jew, a citizen of the world, a relentless bridge-builder and dialogue-maker and a source of inspiration for Americans of all faiths.

In both his personal life and his work as a journalist, Danny always strove to form new connections among people of different faiths and backgrounds.  In keeping with this spirit, we are delighted to see you, members of four different congregations, Jews and Christians, taking a trip together to the US Holocaust Museum -- a living monument to our commitment to tolerance and humanity.

We view your presence in this trip as an act of defiance against Danny's killers.

They vowed to spread fear, blame and divisions among us.  Instead, by standing together, you build trust and understanding, and make the world safer.  By joining this trip, you are telling Danny's murderers and their ideological supporters: "No! Civilization will not falter!.  We vow to fight terrorism, racism, collective dehumanization, and ethnic intimidation of all kinds, so that Danny's spirit will triumph and yours defeated."

We join you in a united prayer for a sane and humane world, free of the hatred that took Danny's life.

Thank you for being with us today.

Judea and Ruth Pearl
Encino California