In an impactful move towards fostering peace and harmony, Global Peace Foundation Kenya recently participated in a captivating interreligious gala dinner organized by the Programme for Christians and Muslims Relations in Africa (PROCMURA). This remarkable event, held as part of the International #peaceday2023, brought together a diverse blend of civil society organizations, government representatives, academia, development partners, and over 100 religious leaders primarily from the Muslim and Christian communities. The aim was to promote religious tolerance, acceptance, and celebrate the beauty of diversity.
Under the theme of “Celebrating Individual Actions for Sustainable Peace and Development in Communities,” the occasion witnessed the participation of numerous religious organizations, churches, civil society bodies, and government entities. The Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Kenya, Mr. Daniel Juma Omondi, delivered an inspiring address during the event, emphasizing the importance of #peacebuilding and the foundation’s commitment to promoting interfaith cooperation based on the vision of One Family under God. “Its time to move from interfaith tolerance to interfaith cooperation where various religious organisations can work together based shared values to improve the human condition” he said.
The underlying rationale for this initiative was to create a platform for religious and civil society organizations to share their best practices in peacebuilding, to promote religious tolerance, community coexistence, and synergy in peacebuilding efforts. It aimed to foster collaboration among diverse actors with a common goal of nurturing a peaceful and prosperous society.
PROCMURA, a proponent of #interfaith #peacebuilding approaches, acknowledges that religion holds immense influence over various aspects of life and individuals’ identities. By working closely with Christians and Muslims, who constitute a significant portion of Africa’s population, PROCMURA endeavours to harness the potential of religious communities in championing peacebuilding efforts.
An esteemed guest speaker, Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama, shed light on the historical role of religion in promoting peace. He shared insights into his involvement as a member of the Presidential Taskforce on Religious Matters, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between regulating religious organizations and safeguarding religious freedom.
Notably, during this commemorative event, Senior Counsel Kanjama was honored with the prestigious 2022 PROCMURA Peace Ambassadors Award.
The Interreligious Gala Dinner followed the 2023 International Day of Peace. Under the theme of “Action for Peace; Ambitions for Global Goals,” where the Global Peace Foundation Kenya, the Chandaria Foundation alongside other organizations, came together to plant trees and foster a sense of global unity and responsibility.
Such initiatives, driven by Global Peace Foundation Kenya, PROCMURA, Interreligious Council of Kenya and other collaborative partners, illustrate the unwavering dedication to promoting interreligious understanding, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable development within communities. As we aspire to build a world where peace reigns supreme, it is through such collective efforts and celebrations that we march closer towards achieving our shared vision.
Together, let us continue transcending boundaries, embracing diversity, and forging a brighter future for generations to come.
For more information and to join us in our peace-building endeavors, kindly visit the Global Peace Foundation’s official website globalpeace.org. Let us unite in our pursuit of a harmonious and prosperous world. A video recording of the gala is available here https://fb.watch/ndzK7LAmvc/?mibextid=2JQ9oc