Muscat hosts religious consultative meeting

MUSCAT: The consultative meeting of religious and traditional leaders and indigenous peoples’ leaders kicked off on Sunday in Muscat, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. The two-day meeting brings together 70 figures from 40 countries, including prominent international personalities, United Nations representatives, religious and traditional leaders and representatives of indigenous peoples, within the framework of international efforts aimed at entrenching a culture of peace and dialogue, addressing hate speech and preventing genocide, atrocity crimes, and incitement to them through peaceful mediation and international cooperation.
The convening of the meeting embodies the Sultanate of Oman's approach to supporting peace, understanding and peaceful coexistence among peoples. It is grounded in the human and civilisational values rooted in Omani society. These values have made dialogue, respect for diversity and rapprochement among cultures and religions fundamental pillars of Oman's relations with the countries of the world.
The meeting, which represents the first day of the Muscat Plan Global Forum, aims to discuss ways of activating the Plan, formulate recommendations and practical mechanisms to translate its objectives into implementable initiatives and expand the contribution of religious and traditional leaders and indigenous peoples’ leaders to conflict prevention, the reduction of societal tensions and the entrenchment of the values of understanding and peaceful coexistence.
Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, opened the proceedings of the consultative meeting, in the presence of Tarja Halonen, former president of the Republic of Finland and Sayyid Chalka Beyani, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
The opening session was attended by a number of international personalities and representatives of traditional leaders and indigenous peoples’ leaders, among them Sonia Astuhuamán Pardavé, one of the women leaders of indigenous peoples; Robert Rehak, Chair of the International Religious Freedom and Belief Alliance and Dr Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.
The meeting constituted an international platform for the exchange of expertise and visions regarding the role undertaken by religious and traditional leaders and indigenous peoples’ leaders in conflict prevention, the reduction of societal tensions, the enhancement of social cohesion and the building of bridges of trust and understanding among communities of differing cultures and beliefs.
The discussions focused on moving from shared principles and commitments to executive steps to activate the Muscat Plan, and on developing initiatives that respond to the needs of local communities and draw on the experience of community leaders in confronting hate speech and preventing conflicts, in support of international efforts aimed at establishing sustainable peace. — ONA