Sharon Eubank, Director of LDS Charities, the humanitarian service arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), participated in a roundtable discussion on religious persecution held in London, England hosted by HRH Prince Charles, AMAR International Charitable Foundation Patron, and AMAR founder Baroness Emma Nicholson (December 13).

The event at Lancaster House, commemorating AMAR’s twenty-fifth anniversary, was attended by the Foundation’s beneficiaries and supporters – along with faith leaders and others including Lord Ahmad, Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office who serves as the British Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Sharon Eubank said, “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. 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.”

At the event, Prince Charles met 18-year-old Yazidi ISIS victim Nehad Barakat who spoke movingly of her experience and escape.

Praising the work of AMAR and its supporters Prince Charles said, “During the past twenty-five years over ten million people in Iraq, Lebanon, Iran and Pakistan have been able to benefit from the healthcare facilities made available through AMAR, with many more benefitting from the educational opportunities that AMAR provides.”

He added, “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.”

Prince Charles additionally recognised LDS Charities’ contributions with a ceremonial citation honouring the organisation for its commitment to health and education. Since 2009, LDS Charities and AMAR have collaborated on a range of critical humanitarian projects in the Middle East region which include delivering lifesaving professional training to medical practitioners and building four fully-equipped primary healthcare facilities.