PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AMONG FINDINGS CONCLUDED IN RESOLUTIONS OF INT'L CONFERENCE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS

PETALING JAYA, May 7 (Bernama) -- Peaceful coexistence based on recognising a human family unit that reflects on the importance of promoting human brotherhood in a tangible way, is one of the 10 findings concluded in the resolutions of the International Conference of Religious Leaders 2024 today.

The resolutions were read by the Director-General of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff at the closing ceremony of the one-day conference organised by Jakim and the Muslim World League (MWL).

“Hate and racism are violent sentiments that expose a major flaw in the understanding of religious, national and civil concepts.

“Such sentiments are the biggest instigators of violence, terrorism and division. They are also the main reasons why the cohesion of the human moral system is compromised,” she said. 

Hakimah said that the conference also found that effective dialogue based on a civilised approach is the best way to resolve conflicts, bridge differences, and overcome fears, misconceptions and prejudices, including dismantling the theory of the inevitable clash of civilisations.

“Effective dialogue and rapprochement with good intentions and tangible impact on building bridges of understanding and cooperation is the best way to address extremist ideologies,” she said.

Hakimah said that religion should not be taken advantage of in achieving any ends that deviate from its spiritual and reformative purpose.

Based on the findings, Hakimah said the conference highlighted seven recommendations, with the first calling on the awakened consciousness of the world to forge an honest, just and effective resolve to serve humanity while protecting all of its rights and maintaining the common values that bind humanity together.

Second, they called on religious leaders not to allow societal sentiments to be incited in a way that ignites hostility and division and undermines national unity by pursuing impulsive or hostile practices, including deliberately spreading misleading and false information.

Third, they called upon national and religious institutions to confront all forms of discrimination and exclusion against religious, cultural and ethnic minorities.

“...and work to create strong and effective legislation to promote values of love, forgiveness and acceptance of the other as brothers and sisters that share the same nation and a common humanity,” she said.

Fourth, the conference called for these institutions to also protect the unity of the human family as it represents the nucleus of society.

Hakimah said the fifth recommendation called upon various platforms of influence, especially the media, to remain mindful of the moral responsibility entrusted upon them, as they are the most influential institutions in forming public opinion. 

“Sixth, we call on religious institutions around the world to advance values that highlight forgiveness on strengthening bonds of solidarity and fraternity among human societies, and that reject extremism that incites hatred and takes advantage of religion to create crises and fuel conflicts,” she said.

The seventh and last recommendation is to condemn all extremist, violent and terrorist practices against followers of any religion and support all sincere initiatives that would ward off such practices, she added.

-- BERNAMA