ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is set to highlight the strength of its religious and social resilience through a vibrant showcase of interfaith unity, the Ministry of Peace (MoP) announced.
This groundbreaking inter-religious forum, the first of its kind, will gather 300 prominent religious leaders and participants from 13 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The event, taking place from November 4-5, 2024, at the Haile Grand Hotel in Addis Ababa, will spotlight the role of global religious institutions in promoting peace and nation-building.
At a media briefing, Peace Building and National Reconciliation State Minister Keiredin Tezera (PhD) emphasized that the ministry has been working closely with various religious institutions to foster peace and unity, instilling a patriotic spirit and commitment to a shared future among Ethiopians. He noted Ethiopia’s unique legacy as a “living museum” for ancient religions, particularly Christianity and Islam, as well as its preservation of historical monuments that stand as symbols of international heritage.
The forum will welcome an array of religious leaders, councils, and influential figures from the Russian Orthodox Church, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, the United States, and multiple African nations, including Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and South Africa. According to Keiredin, “Ethiopian religious institutions, built on strong foundations, have long served as a buffer against challenges, promoting resilience and stability.”
Religious leaders and scholars from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church, the Catholic Church, and the Adventist Church will join security officials and scholars from 15 universities dedicated to social and religious cohesion, making it a robust platform for interfaith dialogue. The forum will feature addresses from religious leaders and an exhibition celebrating the historic cooperation between Christianity and Islam in Ethiopia.
As part of the event, representatives from the UAE, Kenya, and South Africa will share their experiences in religious collaboration, nation-building, and managing religious diversity. Participants will also visit Ethiopia’s significant religious sites, mega projects, and parks, showcasing the country’s ongoing growth and development efforts, Keiredin added.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2024
