G20 Interfaith Forum Kicks off in Abu Dhabi

Jerusalem, 12 December, 2022 (TPS) -- ABU DHABI, 12th December 2022 (WAM)
The Forum on “Engaging Faith Communities: G20 Agendas and Beyond” kicked off today in Abu Dhabi.

Scheduled to run on 12th and 13th December, the Forum, jointly hosted by the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, brings together over 100 leaders from diverse faith communities to explore priority agendas and proposals looking to the G20 2023 process. The Forum serves as a bridge between the November G20 Summit in Indonesia and the launch of the 2023 G20 agenda, with India as 2023 host

The UAE’s hosting of the forum is part of its keenness to forward the vision of the wise leadership to promote intercultural dialogue and communication and build trust among the world’s nations, in an effort to enhance security and stability and drive sustainable development globally.

During the inauguration, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, addressed the attendees in a recorded video message, in which he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the UAE and President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Dr. Al-Tayeb affirmed that the most essential right for humans to have is the right to coexist and live peacefully, united despite our differences in religious views, income and social standings, adding that we must cooperate to ensure a better life.

The Forum was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Fatwa Council; Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople; Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), as well many religious leaders and representatives of participating international institutions and organizations.

For his part, Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah commented, “The significance of such global forums lies in their efficacy in spotlighting key issues that enhance the role of religious leaders,” noting that the efforts of UAE-based institutions in actively participating in the global dialogue to benefit humanity. He went on to offer recommendations to help bridge the divides between people different religions and promote commonalities to avoid conflict and advance the practice of positive human values.

Day 1 of the forum featured several roundtables that covered a wide range of global issues, including protecting refugees and children, addressing the global food crisis, and combatting human trafficking.

The discussions highlighted the need for enhancing international cooperation to protect underprivileged peoples and countries, and build active partnerships that ensure the protection of humans from the fallout of conflicts and crises.