Interfaith dialogue can be utilised in peacebuilding — conference speakers

AMMAN — The “Peacebuilding in Jordan” conference, co-organised by the Royal Institute for Inter-faith Studies and the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), opened on Wednesday in Amman.

At the opening ceremony, Majeda Omar, the director of the institute, said that speaking of peacemaking through interfaith dialogue is an acknowledgement of the need to have programmes to enhance social solidarity within societies and among different societies, according to an institute statement.

It is also necessary to have activities that facilitate participation in interfaith dialogue and enhance coexistence among the various members of the community, regardless of their religions and ethnic or cultural backgrounds, Omar added.

Speaking at the conference, Senator Sawsan Majali said that as long as peace is not instilled in the mindset of any country’s people, whatever endeavours that take place towards peacemaking, maintaining peace or even peacebuilding will remain meaningless words and actions.

Majali expressed her belief that peacebuilding is a natural human instinct, adding that there are always people who peacefully work to resolve conflicts and protect unarmed people.

Father Rifat Bader, the director of the Catholic Centre for Studies, highlighted the significance of religious understanding and cooperation in peacebuilding, where religious leaders have big responsibilities, adding that religions of the world have to work jointly to uproot social and cultural drivers of terrorism.

Discussions at the conference are aimed at coming up with a roadmap for an effective response to the rising challenges that ensures shared responsibilities and joint work, the statement said.