The International Conference of Religious Leaders kicked off in the Malaysian capital on Wednesday, under the patronage of Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, and the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Al-Issa, and the presence of around 2,000 religious and intellectual figures from 57 countries.
The conference, which was jointly organized by the Malaysian Prime Minister and the MWL, comes within the framework of the efforts to establish a global religious platform that sets a road map for consolidating harmony among followers of religions, who constitute the majority of the world’s population, and solving coexistence problems.
At the beginning of the conference, participants observed a minute of silence in solidarity with Gaza.
Welcoming the audience, Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Dato Haj Mohamed Naeem bin Haj Mukhtar, underlined his country’s keenness to support all initiatives that promote unity and harmony among all religions and sects.
He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to the MWL Secretary-General, for his cooperation with the Malaysian government to organize the conference, stressing that his country will work to maintain this collaboration in the future.
For his part, Al-Issa delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing that the conference chose a distinguished group of religious leaders active in promoting harmony and concord between followers of religions and confronting extremist ideas, especially the dangers of cultural and civilizational clashes.
He stressed the need for religious leaders who have a “tangible impact and contribute through their sincere and effective efforts to enhancing the peace and harmony of societies.”
In turn, the Prime Minister of Malaysia noted that the conference represented an important opportunity for religious leaders to provide advice, whether on the social or religious aspect, warning against cultural allegations about a civilizational and political clash that seek to divide humanity.
“Let the religious leaders take the place they deserve, and let them be more influential and effective,” he stated, adding: “With the unfortunate events in Gaza, here is an opportunity for religious leaders to take charge and provide advice... If we do not seek justice and charity, what is the value of our faith in our religions?”
