THERE CAN BE great power in a simple apology, and the one written for Arab television by the interfaith group FaithfulAmerica.org offers gentle rain for the fires of hate.
Read in alternating voices by a Presbyterian, a Muslim, a Catholic, and a Jew, the 30-second commercial, delivered in English with Arabic subtitles, runs as follows:
"A Salaam A'alaykum. As Americans of faith, we express our deep sorrow at abuses committed in Iraqi prisons. We stand in solidarity with all those in Iraq and everywhere who demand justice and human dignity. We condemn the sinful and systemic abuses committed in our name and pledge to work to right these wrongs."
The ads begin airing tomorrow, paid for by Americans who have clicked on the group's website by the thousands since the campaign began last week, contributing nearly $41,000. Ten spots, scheduled to run throughout the Arab world on the networks Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, will cost $20,000.
"We'll keep buying time for as long as citizens want to pay for it," said Ricken Patel, one of the founders of FaithfulAmerica.org, which was formed to provide an online community for what he described as "the resurgent progressive faith movement."
"These are people whose most cherished beliefs are not being expressed in the public discourse," said Patel, noting that while President Bush and members of his administration often speak of God, US policy does not seem to embrace the fundamentals of "actually loving thy neighbor and caring about the common good."
The disconnect has been compounded by reports of Pentagon memos suggesting how Bush might maneuver around international and federal law prohibiting torture.
"If the law allows torture, then no way can I as a religious person condone it," said Melvin Talbert, a bishop in the United Methodist Church who helped organize the group. "We are speaking out for the human family."
The people in the ads do just that. The Rev. Don Shriver, Imam Feisal Abdur Rauf, Sister Betty Obal, and Rabbi Arthur Waskow speak with quiet sincerity about polarizing injustice that, if acknowledged and condemned by common citizens, may yet unite the world in transcending politics.