Abuja: The International Conference on ‘Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future’ on Wednesday adopted resolutions aimed at strengthening social cohesion, religious dialogue, and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. The resolutions were contained in a communique issued at the end of the two-day conference organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in cooperation with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference called for the establishment of a coordinating body for Muslim and Christian leaders and institutions in Nigeria, in cooperation with the MWL. This body would coordinate joint initiatives and strengthen consultation and cooperation on issues of common interest. Furthermore, the conference adopted the ‘Nigerian Youth for Peace’ initiative of the Secretary-General of the MWL, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa, to work with the proposed coordinating body and carry out activities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The conference emphasized the importance of national public-awareness programs to promote national belonging, respect for diversity, and peaceful coexistence while countering hate speech and intolerance. It urged media and cultural institutions to promote responsible communication, counter rumors and inflammatory rhetoric, and highlight successful examples of coexistence and harmony.
On the education front, the conference called for the development of curricula and training programs that would promote citizenship, mutual respect, dialogue, and coexistence. It advocated for a joint action plan involving government institutions, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to address challenges to coexistence and promote social stability.
The conference stressed the need to strengthen partnerships in conflict prevention, national cohesion, and the building of mutual trust. It described religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity as a universal reality, essential for strengthening national unity and building stable and cohesive societies.
The participants commended the MWL for promoting dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures and called for expanded scholarly, training, and media programs to advance moderation, tolerance, and human cooperation. They acknowledged the contributions of Muslim and Christian organizations and institutions that supported the conference.
In its affirmations, the conference highlighted that social peace is a key pillar of national security, requiring concerted efforts by government institutions, religious leaders, educational institutions, the media, and civil society. It further recognized the role of educational and religious institutions in raising generations that respect diversity and uphold tolerance and coexistence. The participants affirmed that social peace is a collective responsibility and that genuine partnership among religious leaders, state institutions, and civil society is critical to building a secure, stable, and prosperous future.