The Muslim Council of Britain’s (MCB) Secretary-General, Zara Mohammed, joined a high-level session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, organised by the Muslim World league: ‘Building Bridges between East and West.’
The conference was attended by speakers from across international faith communities, notable civil society leaders and High Representatives from the United Nations and highlighted the need for intercultural and interreligious understanding with. Growing concerns on discrimination, intolerance, and violence against religious communities worldwide were also discussed.
In response to the challenges faced by faith communities globally, the UN launched the Global Plan to Safeguard Religious Sites, which proposes an international conference to protect religious places. This initiative underscores the universality of hate and extremism, emphasising the need for dialogue not only between East and West but across the world.
The forum rejected Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” theory and reiterated that religion, culture, or civilizations are not the root causes of conflicts. It emphasised that violent extremism and terrorism should not be associated with any religion or faith and called for investment in dialogue and mutual understanding, and that we must continue to strive for societies that respect diversity, inclusivity, and justice, and where all citizens’ rights are equally protected, regardless of their faith, ethnicity or gender.
The event concluded with a call to build bridges of understanding rather than walls of division. It urged societies to promote respect, fraternity, and dialogue to make the voice of reason louder than the sound of guns.
The Muslim Council of Britain remains committed to this cause, working tirelessly to foster interfaith and intercultural harmony in line with the UN’s core values and principles. Together, we can combat prejudice, hatred and discrimination, in pursuit of the common good.
Feature image: Muslim World League