In celebration of the AMAR foundation’s 25th anniversary, the foundation’s founder, Baroness Emma Nicholson, along with HRH Prince Charles held a roundtable discussion Dec. 13 on religious persecution with leaders from around the world gathered together in London, England.
Held at Lancaster House, the event brought together the foundation’s beneficiaries and supporters, as well as other faith and civic leaders. Joining in on the discussion was Sharon Eubank, director of LDS Charities — the Church’s humanitarian service arm — and who also serves as the first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.
“The meeting underlined the urgent need to address the severe conditions of the Yazidi people of Iraq who have been victims of persecution, sexual violence, and other violations,” Sister Eubank said in a news release on Mormon Newsroom. “We also seek to support them in the general recognition and free practice of their peaceful faith.
“Mormons themselves once faced religious violence and we want to stand shoulder to shoulder with all people of goodwill in seeking to eradicate it. We were grateful to have the opportunity, along with Baroness Nicholson, in presenting to Prince Charles the 2017 Windsor Conference recommendations on these issues.”
After hearing from an 18-year-old woman named Nehad Barakat about her experience and escape from ISIS, Prince Charles praised the work of AMAR and the foundation’s supporters.
“During the past 25 years over 10 million people in Iraq, Lebanon, Iran and Pakistan have been able to benefit from the healthcare facilities made available through AMAR, with many more benefiting from the educational opportunities that AMAR provides,” he said in the release. “AMAR has given us all reason to have faith in humanity. It has saved countless lives, created hope from despair and achieved nothing short of miracles.”
The English royal also praised the contributions of LDS Charities with a ceremonial citation for its commitment to health and education. LDS Charities and AMAR have worked together on many humanitarian projects in the Middle East.
