The death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu this Sunday (26) generated a commotion among leaders and political groups, who recognized the importance of the South African. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and one of the main figures in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, Tutu was remembered by traditional politicians, the Dalai Lama and, also, the Islamic group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
The 90-year-old South African was celebrated for his good humor, easy laugh and especially for having acted as a kind of moral compass for South Africans in the fight against the racial segregation regime and in building a Democratic South Africa.
REBOUND
“The passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is another mournful chapter in our nation’s farewell to a generation of distinguished South Africans who bequeathed us a free South Africa.”
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, president of South Africa
“A true South African giant has left us today, but his spirit will live on in the daily goodness we show each other and in our ongoing effort to build a united, successful and racially-free South Africa… When we lose ours way, he was the moral compass that brought us back”
JOHN STONE HOUSES, opposition leader in South Africa
“I am deeply sad. He [Desmond Tutu] he was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa — and he will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and his irrepressible good humor.”
BORIS JOHNSON, prime minister of the United Kingdom
“The Palestinian people have lost a strong supporter of their march towards freedom and independence. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has spent his entire life fighting racism and defending human rights, especially of Palestinian land.”
BASIM NAEEM, member of the Hamas Council on Foreign Relations
“Archbishop Desmond Tutu was one of the greatest supporters of the Palestinian cause. He has always defended the right of Palestinians to obtain their freedom and has rejected Israeli occupation.”
WASEL ABU YOUSSEF, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
“The friendship and spiritual bond between us was something we valued. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was entirely dedicated to serving his brothers and sisters for the common good. He was a committed advocate of human rights.”
DALAI-LAMA, spiritual leader of Tibet
“His contributions to the fight against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about building future liberators for societies. He was an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A pastor.”
NELSON MANDELA FOUNDATION
“Desmond Tutu was a unique character. His sense of humor and infectious laughter helped resolve many critical situations in South Africa’s political and ecclesial life. God many times.”
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
“He was a great man who showed the power of reconciliation and forgiveness. Tutu’s argument was that injustice and abuse must not be forgotten but, at the same time, must not be avenged if a society is to move forward.”
JONAS GAHR STORE, prime minister of Norway
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