For the first time in history, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist religious leaders met with Islamic officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss shared values and a worldwide vision for interfaith cooperation.
Over 15 Rabbis were among the 100 religious leaders that attended the first of its kind meeting.
Attendees and Speakers
Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League; Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni (of Rome); Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican; Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch and spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide; Eminence Ivan Zoria, Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine; Rev. Father Daniil Matrusov, Representative of the Patriarch of Russia; Banagala Upatissa Thero, President of Sri Lanka’s (Buddhist) Mahabodhi Society; Pastor, Rev. Walter Kim, President, National Association of Evangelicals (United States); Ven Swami Awdheshanand Giri, Chairman, Hindu Dharam Acharya Sabha (India); Rabbi Moise Lewin, Special Adviser to the Chief Rabbi of France; Sheikh Dr. Shawki Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt; Rabbi David Rosen, AJC (American Jewish Committee) Director of International Interreligious Affairs, and others.
Interfaith Solutions
The Conference recommended launching of a global forum called: “Religious Diplomacy Forum for Building Bridges” based on the influential role of religions in human societies, and the important role of religious followers in bridging the relationship between religions and cultures for the purpose of peacebuilding.
It was also suggested that work be done on an international compendium titled “The Encyclopaedia of Common Human Values.”
The conference called for the United Nations General Assembly to declare a global day of “Common Human Values,” which would honor the similarities that exist between religions and civilizations around the world.
Establishing a set of principles shared by all major world religions, as well as a vision for improving understanding, cooperation, and solidarity among world religions, are among the fundamental objectives.
The Secretary General of the host group, the Muslim World League, Mohammed Al-Issa, said: “The aims of this conference aligns to the values of Muslim World League, which strives to build humanitarian partnerships for a more cooperative and peaceful world and more harmonious communities.”
“This conference tackles some of the major issues of our day. As the largest Islamic NGO, headquartered in the birthplace of Islam in Saudi Arabia, we have a special responsibility to do this work. Whether it is to tackle climate change, to support refugees and vulnerable communities around the world, or simply to spread messages of peace and co-existence, the kind of interfaith trust and cooperation this event is fostering is desperately needed to support those real-world goals.”
As stated in its statute and bylaws, the forum supports the Muslim World’s aim to strengthen its global role as an autonomous international non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting Islamic ideals that call for peace.
Muslim World League
The Muslim World League is an international non-governmental Islamic organization based in the Holy City of Makkah. It aims to present the true Islam and its tolerant principles, provide humanitarian aid, extend bridges of dialogue and cooperation with all, engage in positive openness to all cultures and civilizations, follow the path of centrism and moderation to realize the message of Islam and ward off movements calling for extremism, violence and exclusion for a world full of peace, justice and coexistence.
