The Religions for Peace
(RfP) conference began its 10th World Assembly in Lindau, Germany, from
20-23 August 2019 under the assembly theme “Caring for our Common
Future”.
Roughly 900 representatives from various religions and beliefs around the world took part in the event.
Egypt’s Minister of Immigration Nabila
Makram participated in the conference as a representative of the
Egyptian delegation, which included a number of scholars and clerics.
German President Frank Steinmeier
delivered the opening speech, stressing on the conference’s importance
towards consolidating world peace and eliminating wars for religious
pretexts.
He said that he dreamed of seeing a
united world not split over any religious disagreements, and added that
people who use religion as a means of terrorism are those who lose their
credibility and humanity.
Peace means to live properly, and does
not mean that everyone only recognizes one belief, he said. This
conference calls for the need to keep religion away from political
conflicts and wars, he continued.
He stressed that Europe had succeeded in
getting rid of religious conflicts, citing the religious wars that
occurred in Germany in the middle ages that led to the killing of
hundreds, which Germany eventually resolved.
“We must make religion a means for peace,” Steinmeier said.
The conference then screened a short film
about the world’s religious conflicts and released videos condemning
the oppression of Muslims in Myanmar.
It also condemned religious conflicts in
Nigeria and stressed that the world is at a critical stage, especially
after the escalating of the climate change crisis which threatens the
security and safety of the world.
Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch whose followers exceed 300 million people worldwide, expressed
his happiness at participating in the conference, calling on everyone
to spread the conference’s message throughout the world in order to end
wars that have shed the blood of innocent people.
He added that the Orthodox Church in
Constantinople always encourages interfaith dialogues and strives to
spread the message of peace.
Makram told Al-Masry Al-Youm that she was
the delegate of Pope Tawadros II ,of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the
conference, adding that she delivered a speech on Tuesday morning where
she cited the Egyptian state’s efforts in consolidating the dialogue
between Islam and Christianity.
She stressed that the Egyptian state,
represented by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is keen to spread peace,
citing the president’s inaugurations of a large mosque and cathedral in
the New Administrative Capital.
She also referred to Al-Azhar’s role in establishing a peaceful dialogue with the Church through the Family House.
Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb
contributed to the launch of peace dialogue with Pope Francis, both
during the Pope’s visit to Egypt in 2017 and in the UAE earlier this
year, she said.
Makram said she also expanded the efforts
of the Egyptian state in empowering Egyptian women and the role of the
National Council for Women in this regard.
The Religions for Peace Association (RfP)
is the largest and most representative multi-religious coalition,
consisting of the world’s religious communities joint work towards for
peace. The RfP global network consists of approximately 100
international associations (multi-religious councils), six regional
interfaith bodies and a world council of senior religious leaders.
A statement on the RfP’s official website
reads “[The RfP] the world’s largest and most representative
multi-religious coalition—advances common action among the world’s
religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform
violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious
societies, and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace
network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all
regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than
90 national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global
Interfaith Youth Network.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm