Pres. Taye Emphasizes Imperative Role of Religion in Fostering Harmony, Unity Amid Global Polarization.
Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie, in his address to the International Inter-Religious Conference opened in Addis Ababa, emphasized the crucial role of religion in fostering harmony and unity in a world increasingly marked by polarization and intolerance.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the International Inter-Religious Conference, hosted by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Peace and the Abu Dhabi-based Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, kicked off in Addis Ababa. The two-day event is being attended by President Taye Atske Selassie, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaher, Ethiopia’s Minister of Peace, Binalf Andualem, religious leaders, diplomats, and other invited guests from around the globe.
The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge on topics related to tolerance, citizenship, and peace among various religions. Speaking at the conference, President Taye stated that Ethiopia stands as a testament to the
harmonious coexistence of diverse faiths. He emphasized the critical role of religion as a force for harmony, unity, and forbearance in a world marked by increasing polarization and intolerance.
President Taye further elaborated that the world is highly politicized, and religious thoughts should serve as a bridge between differences. He highlighted that religion has a strong commitment to bringing more harmony and unity among human beings. He added that religious teachings resonate with the fundamental principles of tolerance and coexistence, reflecting Ethiopia’s rich spiritual heritage.
The President pointed out that Ethiopia has historically embraced followers and teachings from different faiths, demonstrating that religion intersects deeply with the fabric of state-building and citizenship. He warned that extreme thought, greed, and the misuse of digital media threaten to erode the foundation of harmony, reiterating the preservation of religious institutions as crucial for safeguarding coexistence and u
nity.
Minister of Peace, Binalf Andualem, commented on the potential of different narratives to spread rapidly and threaten peace and stability. He emphasized the importance of promoting tolerance and understanding to build a society where individuals from different religious backgrounds can coexist harmoniously.
Chancellor Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaher urged participants to embrace the historic declaration that represents a new commitment to religious dialogue. He expressed hope that the Addis Ababa Declaration on Tolerance, Citizenship, and Peace would impact future human relations and foster a world characterized by peace and respect for diversity.
Religious institutions and experts from around the world will share their experiences on enhancing peace and tolerance through religion. The Addis Ababa Declaration, aiming to capitalize on the role of religions in promoting world peace, is anticipated to be announced at the end of the conference.