Abuja: Foreign religious leaders have called for respect, interfaith collaboration, and practical action to tackle insecurity and promote peaceful coexistence. The leaders disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja at the International Conference on Community Partnership for a Promising Future. They emphasized that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue, education, mutual understanding, and respect for different religious traditions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the two-day conference was held under the patronage of President Bola Tinubu and organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in collaboration with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) Nigeria. Mr. Samuel Shropshire, President of Muslim Voice for Peace, highlighted Islam’s role in promoting peace within and among nations. He stressed the importance of collaboration among religious groups to achieve global peace and called for greater respect for human life, citing the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Mr. Othman Farooq, founder of One Message Foundation, United States, emphasized mutual respect for religious texts and traditions as fundamental to peaceful coexistence. He condemned actions aimed at mocking religious beliefs, highlighting the need for understanding and respect. Farooq praised Nigeria’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence, describing the conference as evidence of the government’s efforts.
Mr. Isa Hussain, a delegate from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and Vice-President of Muslim Voice for Peace, Washington D.C., urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and translate conference resolutions into practical action. He suggested exchange visits between churches and mosques as a way of building understanding and urged young people to deepen their knowledge of their faith and share it respectfully with others.