Together We Stand

[ 48 ] for 30 students from the faculty of Sharia at the King Zain Alsharaf Association in Almafraq City in Jordan. The faculty members were enthusiastic about incorporating what they learned in their lectures. As for Muhammed Zia Ul Haq, also a KAICIID Fellow, he trained a geographically diverse group of young Pakistanis to understand the importance of interreligious dialogue for peacebuilding, as part of their formation towards becoming future Muslim religious leaders. Pakistan is a country in which sectarian tensions are deep, often leading to violence. By training these young religious leaders in interreligious dialogue, Ul Haq has given these individuals the tools to foster dialogue in their own communities around the country. Another KAICIID Fellow, Nageeba Hassan, has initiated a programme in which children and young people in schools in Uganda are trained in interreligious dialogue to strengthen their abilities to make ethical decisions based on values that promote respect for other cultures and religions. The programme also tackles the effects of child abuse by having students participate in open discussions about it. The programme is planned to continue in 54 partner schools in Uganda. These five aforementioned individuals are but a few examples of how many religious leaders now use interreligious dialogue as a methodology for peacebuilding, often designing and implementing new as well as strengthening existing programmes that include various kinds of humanitarian efforts and relief. In conclusion, through interreligious dialogue, religious leaders can support existing efforts, as well as helping to create new humanitarian and development efforts that serve to alleviate sectarian tensions, build community bridges and strengthen social coexistence. Their efforts and initiatives can be even more effective if coordinated with policymakers and active collaborators from a variety of local, national and international religious and non-religious/secular initiatives and programmes. Such diverse collaborations are increasingly important in enhancing the effectiveness of on-the-ground humanitarian efforts and relief. Without addressing the scars of conflict, it is difficult to rebuild strong and functional societies where violent outbursts are avoided. Dialogue can act as a key to unlock frozen relationships in conflict areas as well as in areas recovering from strife. Finally, we must not underestimate the importance of the role of religious leaders in bringing such efforts to fruition. They are individuals who are often trusted and held in high esteem in their communities and are able to reach deeper into rural areas where the local population might be less open to cooperating with international development and humanitarian teams. For the expression ‘together we stand’ to be truly effective on the ground in so many areas around the world, the word ‘together’ must also include religious leaders and their communities. Indeed, their engagement is vital to the long-term success of humanitarian relief and sustainable development. Members of the KAICIID International Fellows Programme remove their shoes out of respect before entering a Hindu Temple at the Batu Caves in Malaysia. Religious site visits are a key part of the Fellows programme, as they serve as opportunities to facilitate interreligious and intercultural understanding Image: KAICIID T ogether W e S tand