In a country like Ethiopia where people with different religious backgrounds live in harmony, religious institutions, and their leaders have a significant role to play in guiding communities and promoting unity and peace, respect and tolerance, understanding, and compassion across diverse populations to reinforce social cohesion and build a stronger and a united country.
Throughout history, religious institutions and religious fathers have been playing a significant role in promoting a culture of living together peacefully, avoiding disagreements, and resolving differences through dialogue and discussion. By preaching peace, unity, love, and solidarity, and advising conflicting parties to resolve disagreements in peaceful discussions, they have been striving to sustain peace, tolerance, unity, love, fraternity, and compassion among all human beings.
Mainly, pursuing peace, love, acceptance, and compassion among others are the core values of any religion, religious institutions and leaders have been working to this effect- to foster peace and a spirit of unity and togetherness, nurture the values of friendship and understanding between and among different groups.
The recent conference held here in Addis Ababa also gave due emphasis to the roles that religious institutions and religious leaders can play in promoting love, peace, unity, and acceptance among the people.
At the 16th Regular Session and recognition forum of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia held recently in the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde, Peace State Minister Keyredin Tezera (PhD), religious leaders, and invited guests, it was stated that religious institutions need to work more on peace and forgiveness, promote the cultural and religious values of the people as well as to strengthen respect and solidarity.
Speaking on the occasion, President Sahle-Work Zewde said that religious institutions need to be engaged in common national agendas by preventing issues that could erode the values of respect and solidarity.
The role religious leaders can play in educating the faithful is vital, the President added.
Reaffirming the need for cooperation in common national issues, President Sahle Work noted that actions that could erode the values of respect and solidarity between religions should be prevented.
According to her, since it is impossible to bring about development and economic growth in the absence of peace, religious teachings, and spiritual guidance are issues of critical importance to sustaining peace and stability.
Taking these into consideration, the President urged religious institutions and religious leaders to strengthen their constructive engagements in ensuring peace in the country.
Peace State Minister Keyredin Tezera(PhD) on his part said that the role of religious institutions in developing the values of solidarity and unity among Ethiopians is immense, Religious institutions have been playing a critical role in sustaining peace, stability and the unity of the country for centuries, he added.
Reaffirming that the Ministry of Peace will continue strengthening its cooperation with the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia to utilize the potential of religious institutions for nation-building and sustainable peace, he urged the institutions to discharge their responsibility accordingly.
Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia Chairperson, Abune Gorgorios also said that the Council is a spiritual institution established to nurture the values of peace and solidarity among human beings in collaboration with stakeholders.
Stating that the council has been working on strengthening the centuries-old culture of mutual respect and mutual support among the people of Ethiopia and the religious institutions, he reaffirmed to work more on these core values.
“The Council will continue its efforts to strengthen the values of peace, respect, and solidarity,” the Chairperson reiterated.
There is no doubt that the role of religious institutions in resolving conflicts and establishing peace and reconciliation in a society is beyond words. They have an irreplaceable role in promoting peace, and togetherness, which are crucial in building a more cohesive and resilient nation that values the dignity and worth of every human being.
Indeed, as a country that has developed strong religious and cultural values over a long history, religious institutions have greater significance and serve as agents to reinforce social unity and stability and motivate people to work for positive social change.
Especially, at the time that Ethiopia is now undertaking various activities to hold its first national dialogue in response to the long attached inconveniences and disagreements, the role religious institutions can play in promoting mutual understanding among different segments of the society and cultivating peace and reconciliation is crucial. Religious institutions have the power to influence and persuade the masses, to create mutual understanding and trust between and among the faith communities as well as nonbelievers because all share common principles- peace, unity, justice, forgiveness, and the like matters- that are foundations to create social integration and a sense of belonging, thereby bring peace and creating a unified society.
Primarily, by using their power to influence the masses, in line with the teachings of their religion, religious leaders can bring about change in critical social causes, such as peace and harmony; and contribute to the advancement of national agendas that promote peace, justice, and prosperity for all members of society.
What is more, they can serve as catalysts for social cohesion- to bringing together people from diverse backgrounds- to work towards common goals and address shared challenges. Through their teachings and outreach efforts, they can meaningfully promote inclusivity, diversity, and respect among all members of society.
In this regard, institutions like the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia have a significant role in ensuring sustainable peace and deepening the sense of unity among Ethiopians. Religious fathers, revered for their wisdom, compassion, and spiritual guidance, hold a special place in the hearts of Ethiopians, serving as a moral compass and custodians of tradition and heritage. In this regard, by engaging in constructive conversations, national agendas, joint initiatives, and shared celebrations, religious institutions can serve as a bridge to narrow differences and promote a spirit of unity and solidarity among followers of different faiths.
Furthermore, as places where peace and forgiveness are preached, they can serve as mediators of conflict resolution and reconciliation. As has been witnessed several times in Ethiopia, religious leaders and institutions often serve as mediators, peacekeepers, and advocators for reconciliation.. Using their moral authority and spiritual guidance to foster dialogue, understanding, and the practical concept of forgiveness they can ensure sustainable peace in Ethiopia.
In conclusion, the role of religious fathers and institutions in Ethiopia is essential in sustaining peace, fostering fraternity, and promoting unity among the diverse communities of the nation. Through their teachings, actions, and spiritual leadership, these respected figures and institutions exemplify the values of compassion, tolerance, and solidarity that form the foundation of a harmonious and inclusive society where all Ethiopians can live in peace and mutual respect.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 8 AUGUST 2024
