By Daniel Obaje
The International Conference on “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future” on Wedenesday adopted resolutions aimed at strengthening social cohesion, religious dialogue and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
The resolutions were contained in a communique issued at the end of the two-day conference organised by the Muslim World League (MWL), in cooperation with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Abuja.
In its resolutions, the conference called for the establishment of a coordinating body for Muslim and Christian leaders and institutions in Nigeria, in cooperation with the MWL.
It said the body would coordinate joint initiatives and strengthen consultation and cooperation on issues of common interest.
The conference also adopted the “Nigerian Youth for Peace” initiative of the Secretary-General of the MWL, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa.
It said the initiative would work with the proposed coordinating body and carry out activities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with its findings and outcomes shared with international organisations.
The conference further called for national public-awareness programmes to promote national belonging, respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence, while countering hate speech and intolerance.
It urged media and cultural institutions to promote responsible communication, counter rumours and inflammatory rhetoric and highlight successful examples of coexistence and harmony.
On education, the conference called for the development of curricula and training programmes that would promote citizenship, mutual respect, dialogue and coexistence, while strengthening intellectual resilience among young people.
It also advocated a joint action plan involving government institutions, religious leaders and civil society organisations to address challenges to coexistence, strengthen intellectual security and promote social stability.
The conference emphasised the need to strengthen partnerships in conflict prevention, national cohesion and the building of mutual trust.
In its affirmations, the conference described religious, ethnic and cultural diversity as a universal reality and said its effective management was essential to strengthening national unity and building stable and cohesive societies.
It also stressed that religion should serve as a message of mercy and peace, therefore urging religious leaders to promote authentic religious values and reject the exploitation of using religion to fuel conflict, violence and extremism.
The conference identified social peace as a key pillar of national security, saying it required concerted efforts by government institutions, religious leaders, educational institutions, the media and civil society.
It also highlighted the importance of inclusive national dialogue in addressing tensions, building trust among diverse communities and promoting partnership in the national interest.
The conference called for greater empowerment and participation of youths and women in initiatives designed to promote peace, social responsibility and citizenship.
It further recognised the role of educational and religious institutions in raising generations that respect diversity, uphold tolerance and coexistence, and value both national and religious identities.
The participants commended the MWL for promoting dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures and called for expanded scholarly, training and media programmes to advance moderation, tolerance and human cooperation.
They acknowledged the contributions of Muslim and Christian organisations and institutions that supported the conference.
The participants said the positive spirit of the conference demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening trust and understanding among Nigeria’s diverse religious and cultural communities.
They affirmed that social peace is a collective responsibility and that genuine partnership among religious leaders, state institutions and civil society was critical to building a secure, stable and prosperous future.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz