Kuala lumpur: The Second International Summit of Religious Leaders concluded on Aug 28, bringing together 400 global religious leaders to confront the growing crisis in Gaza and highlight the moral responsibility of religious communities in resolving global conflicts.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the summit, themed 'The Role of Religious Leaders in Resolving Conflicts', was co-organised by Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office and the Muslim World League (MWL). MWL issued a statement where delegates unanimously condemned the ongoing war and starvation in Gaza, calling for immediate international action and urging pressure on Israeli authorities to respect international law and Palestinian rights.
In his opening address, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the Gaza crisis has exposed a significant loss of the international community's commitment to justice and humanity. He affirmed that all religions advocate for compassion and coexistence and warned against the dangers of 'Clash of Civilisations' theories.
Meanwhile, MWL Secretary-General, Sheikh Dr Mohammed Abdulkarim Al-Issa, declared that peace is a necessity rather than a choice and highlighted the crucial role of religious leaders in shaping societal conscience and promoting universal human values. He introduced two initiatives to empower religious leaders in peacebuilding and safeguarding minorities in diverse societies.
The summit also expressed strong support for the final document of the High-level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, hosted by Saudi Arabia and France at the United Nations in New York. Religious leaders committed to using their spiritual influence to garner global support for the document.
Throughout five sessions, the summit delved into the root causes of religiously motivated conflicts, the effectiveness of religious-based diplomacy, and framed the Gaza crisis as a collective shortcoming of the international community.