IMAM Organization Participation in 10th Anniversary Symposium on Religion and International Affairs

January 23, 2024

IMAM is committed to promoting dialogue and cooperation among different faith traditions and looks forward to continued engagement in activities. Based on this belief and work policy, on January 23, 2024, the IMAM organization participated in the “10th Anniversary Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs.” 

The symposium was a significant event that brought together various faith-based organizations and UN entities to discuss the theme “Human Rights and Dignity: Towards a Just, Peaceable, and Inclusive Future.” 

This important event provided an excellent opportunity for the representative of the IMAM organization to discuss Islamic guidelines regarding the importance of inter-religious cooperation for peace, prosperity, and spirituality. This included God’s invitation to Jews and Christians for coexistence and cooperation with Muslims based on monotheism, which encompasses all virtues, including justice and benevolence. For example, the Quran states: “Say, ]’O Mohammed[ O People of the Book! Come towards a word which is common between us and you, that we shall worship no one except Allah, and that we shall not ascribe any partner to Him, and that none of us shall take one another as lords besides Allah.” [3:64]. Another example is God’s command to all human beings: “Help one another in righteousness and piety – and do not help one another in sin and injustice” [5:2].

This symposium, available in five languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and International Sign Language), was sponsored by several prominent organizations, including ACT Alliance, General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, Islamic Relief, Religions for Peace, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Soka Gakkai International, United Religions Initiative, and the World Council of Churches. It was also held in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, United Nations Population Fund, UN Women, and UN Inter-agency Task Force on Religion and Development. 

The 2024 Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its tenth anniversary. The symposium aimed to foster dialogue on the intricate interplay between religion and international affairs and create a platform for collaborative policymaking and constructive engagement. The IMAM Institute’s participation in the symposium included a presentation on the importance of interfaith cooperation from an Islamic perspective.