Addis Ababa, November 4, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie in his address to the International Inter-Religious Conference opened in Addis Ababa emphasized the crucial role of religion in fostering harmony and unity in a world increasingly marked by polarization and intolerance.
The International Inter-Religious Conference, hosted by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Peace and Abu Dhabi based Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities kicked off in Addis Ababa today.
The two-day event is being attended by President Taye Atske Selassie, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaher, Ethiopia’s Minister of Peace, Binalf Andualem, religious leaders, diplomats, and other invited guests from around the globe.
The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge on topics related to tolerance, citizenship, and peace among various religions.
Speaking at the conference, President Taye said Ethiopia stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of diverse faiths.
As the world it grabs right now, with an unprecedented search in polarization and intolerance, “the role of religion is a critical and an undeniable force of harmony, unity and forbearance,” The president emphasized.
Taye further elaborated that everything in the world is highly politicized. “I would say this the right moment for religious thoughts to serve as a bridge between differences. That means religion has indeed a very strong commitment to bring more harmony and unity among human beings.”
Moreover, he added that the very sense of religious teachings, reverence, respects, love and serenity and patience resonates with the fundamental principles of tolerance and coexistence.
Ethiopia’s rich spiritual heritage is rooted in a world view that places humanity at the heart of existence and fostering a profound understanding of living and thriving side by side in harmony, according to him.
“We are very much compelled to solve our differences, and indeed paved the way for a more harmony and coexistence amongst ourselves.”
Furthermore, the President pointed out that from the reign of Queen Candace to the era of King Nagashi, Ethiopia has not only received but also embraced the followers and indigenized the ideas and teachings.
Thus, “this and that stems from a deeply ingrained belief in the inherent dignity and words of humanity itself. This indeed demonstrates religion, far from being only spiritual practice, intersects deeply with the fabric of state building that significantly influenced the evolution of citizenship itself.”
While we celebrate this rich tradition of religion, we must acknowledge that we are facing an unprecedented challenge throughout the world, a world increasingly dominated by extreme thought, greed and ethical usage of digital media threatens to erode the very foundation of harmony itself.
Therefore, he reiterated that the preservation of our religious institutions, particularly these forces of disruption, is not only an endeavor, but a crucial imperative for safeguarding our collective coexistence and unity.
Minister of Peace, Binalif Andualem said on his part we are living in a time where different narratives have potential to spread like wildfire and threaten the peace and stability of our society.
Therefore, “it is essential for all of us to promote a narrative of tolerance and understanding, the transcend religious boundaries by fostering a culture of religious tolerance, we can build society where individuals from different religious backgrounds can live and work together harmoniously.”
This, in turn, leads to sustainable peace and prosperity for all, he said, adding religious institutions hold a unique position in society as they serve as pillars of moral guidance, spiritual support and community solidarity.
In this regard, the government of Ethiopia has implemented a wide range of initiatives aimed to promote religious tolerance, social cohesion and national consensus, the minister added.
Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaher urged participants to embrace this historic declaration, which represents a new covenant and commitment to religious dialogue a pivotal moment for rapprochement and understanding.
He stated, “This conference will lead to the Addis Ababa Declaration on Tolerance, Citizenship, and Peace are historic achievements for Ethiopia, marking a new civilization that Ethiopia offers to the world.”
Al Dhaheri stated that the principles of this declaration serve as a guide for religious leaders in research centers, universities, places of worship, and society as a whole.
He expressed hope that it would have a “real impact on the future of human relations and contribute to the creation of a greater world characterized by peace, understanding, and respect for diversity.”
Religious institutions from around the world will share their experiences on how religion plays role to enhancing peace and tolerance among people, and a variety of experts from various countries will present their research throughout the two-day conference.
The participants will share their experiences about how religion may promote tolerance, harmony, and coexistence among people worldwide, according to the report by ENA.
The Addis Ababa Declaration, which aims to capitalize on the role of religions in promoting world peace, is anticipated to be announced at the end of the conference.