H.E. Judge Mohammad Abdel-Salam visits WCC, hones plans for strengthened cooperation

WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay said that religious collaboration has a significant role in a common global approach to peace. “I was deeply impressed with the conversations we had on deepening our current collaboration and work together, moving from interreligious dialogue to interreligious visible work and cooperation,” said Pillay. “Given the current challenges in the world today, it is important for different religions to work together to create a better world for all people and creation.”

Pillay added that he was glad that they focused on nurturing young people from across the different religions to work together on global issues, especially in the areas of climate change and peace-making initiatives. “We also reflected on how religions should work jointly in their contributions to COP28 to ensure that our voice is taken seriously on this matter,” said Pillay. “As we reflected on global issues, we sensed the need to engage in global world peace on a broad level, including different religious leaders, political leaders, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders. We committed to work collaboratively on these and other issues.”

Abdel-Salam stressed the need to go beyond interreligious dialogue into interreligious cooperation and action. Some planned common initiatives are concrete examples of walking and working together. Further, he discussed cooperation with the WCC on a planned Emerging Peacemakers Forum in July at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, among other activities.

Young people are being encouraged to apply for the forum, which will be co-hosted by the WCC, Muslim Council of Elders, and Rose Castle Foundation for young men and women working in civil society and international organizations, or for influential people in their societies.

Another focus was on climate change, and cooperative efforts regarding the role of religions and faith in preparation for COP28, which will convene from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Abdel-Salam also received a tour of the Ecumenical Centre, as well as updates about the Green Village development project. He met with the WCC staff leadership group, and participated in dialogues on peace-building with an interreligious focus in countries such as Nigeria, South Sudan, Iraq, and Syria.

Meetings were also held with the Board of the Global Studies Institute and with Globethics.

In addition to Abdel-Salam, the visiting delegation included Mohamad al Amine, Mohamad Bahr, and Ibrahim Attiya.

Young people encouraged to apply for Emerging Peacemakers Forum

Emerging Peacemaker Forum website

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders and World Council of Churches Convene to Strengthen Interreligious Dialogue Initiatives (Muslim Council of Elders news release 6 June 2023)