Manhattan resident Sister Ellen Francis, has just returned from a 10-day fact-finding and friendship mission to Iran, organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation

Sister Francis and 17 other members of the interfaith delegation were able to learn first-hand about ordinary Iranians, even as their governments adopt increasingly belligerent and threatening postures towards one another. The delegation also provided an opportunity for the citizens of both countries to exchange ideas about de-escalating tensions between the two nations and discuss ways of creating and maintaining a democratic and independent civil society.

Sister Francis, an associate priest at the Church of the Epiphany in NYC and a sister of the Order of St. Helena, said she made the trip as her own small but significant contribution towards building solid friendships and understanding between the United States and Iran. She was also on a personal pilgrimage to see the country that was her home for 10 years and, after 27 years, to see her Iranian family once more.

The interfaith delegation included citizens of several religious backgrounds from the United States, Puerto Rico and Germany. The delegates visited cultural and historic centers in Teheran (the contemporary capital), Qom (world center of Shi'a theology), Esfehan (legendary capital of medieval Persia), and Shiraz (jewel of classical Islamic culture, as well as the seat of Iran's ancient pre-Islamic civilization.).

They met with representatives of the media, academics, and Muslim religious leaders, as well as representatives of minority Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian communities. They also met leaders of Iranian NGOs. The delegates also took with them hundreds of personal messages of friendship from ordinary Americans and delivered them to the representatives of the Iranian media.

The delegation's reports, along with other background information about FOR's Iran initiative, can be found on our Web site: http://www.forusa.org/programs/iran/dec05.htm

Sister Ellen Francis welcomes interviews with the media and other interested organizations in order to share her insights and impressions of her trip. She can be contacted by e-mail (srellenfrancis@yahoo.com) or by phone (347-408-6934)

Iran Initiative Contacts:

Hossein Alizadeh, Iran Initiative Coordinator, 845-358-4601 ex 27 Iran@forusa.org

Dr. Joseph Groves, Middle East Program Coordinator, 202-244-0821 middleeast@forusa.org