INTERFAITH VOICES FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE 

February 12, 2025 | 10:00 AM EST | Virtual   

In celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2025, the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) hosted a virtual discussion titled “Interfaith Voices for Peace and Justice” on February 12, 2025. This youth panel aimed to promote meaningful interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration among youth leaders from various religious backgrounds around the world. The panelists explored both local and global challenges, focusing on peace, justice, and strong institutions in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal #16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG #16). 

Mehmet Kilic, President of JWF, welcomed participants from across the globe and emphasized the foundation’s commitment to promoting a culture of peace, human rights, and sustainable development. He also expressed appreciation for the dedication of the Alumni of the Global Youth Leadership Programme 2024 in organizing this important event. Mr. Kilic remarked, “We are honored to organize this event as part of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week of 2025. Our goal is to unite, collaborate, and foster solidarity as we tackle with common challenges in society. It is critical that we join our efforts in building peace and justice through interfaith dialogue and understanding.” 

The discussion was moderated by Ashley Kitisha, a legal expert and programs manager for Africa at the Laudato Si’ Movement. Renowned for her advocacy in legal justice, stakeholder engagement, and climate issues, she focused particularly on empowering women and youth leaders throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The session featured notable speakers Ayuba Bazam, Spozhmey Munir, Yusuf Ali Bulafu, and Serra Kazan, who shared their perspectives on the essential role of youth interfaith voices in fostering peace and justice. The event highlighted the significance of interfaith dialogue and collaboration in tackling societal challenges, reinforcing the themes of unity and solidarity in the pursuit of a more equitable and peaceful world. 

Ashley Kitisha opened the panel discussion with an introductory speech and engaged participants through an interactive poll. She encouraged attendees to reflect on their passion for Sustainable Development Goal #16—peace, justice, and strong institutions—setting the stage for a thought-provoking conversation about the role of interfaith youth voices in promoting global harmony. 

Furthermore, Ashly Kitisha highlighted the essential role of “listening” in interfaith dialogue. She asserted that genuine dialogue demands active listening and a willingness to understand different perspectives. Ashley Kitisha explained that interfaith dialogue is crucial for cultivating inclusive communities, particularly in urban areas where diverse groups coexist. She emphasized that such dialogue is not simply an exchange of ideas but rather the cultivation of meaningful relationships that transcend religious, cultural, and social boundaries. According to her, these relationships are vital for creating stronger, more resilient communities capable of collaboratively addressing social challenges. 

Ashley also underscored the importance of youth participation in interfaith dialogue. She urged young individuals to approach these discussions with humility, patience, and a sincere commitment to learning from the varied experiences of others. She believes that through interfaith engagement, youth can play a transformative role in shaping inclusive and equitable societies. 

Ayuba Bazam, Program Manager of UFUK Dialogue in Nigeria, shared valuable insights on the role of community-based initiatives in fostering interfaith dialogue, specifically highlighting events such as the Dialogue Peace Iftar Dinner. This annual Ramadan gathering unites Muslims and Christians, along with youth leaders, traditional rulers, and government representatives. By breaking bread together and engaging in meaningful discussions, the event promotes mutual understanding and respect among different faiths. Ayuba Bazam pointed out a particularly significant Iftar dinner that fell during Lent, allowing both Muslims and Catholics to fast concurrently, which created a unique opportunity for deeper connection and dialogue. 

Additionally, Ayuba discussed the broader significance of interfaith dialogue in advancing Sustainable Development Goal #16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and inclusive institutions. He provided examples of how interfaith initiatives have effectively reduced conflicts in rural Nigeria, where diverse faith communities have collaborated to alleviate tensions and foster cooperation. He also highlighted the Peace Ambassador Certificate Program, an empowerment initiative for young leaders that equips them with the tools needed to advocate for peace and justice. Ayuba Bazam emphasized that such programs are vital for preparing the next generation to continue the pursuit of peace and social justice. An inspiring success story from Nigeria illustrates the power of interfaith dialogue in facilitating conflict resolution. A member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, who had been involved in interfaith initiatives, played a key role in uniting two historically divided tribes after more than 50 years of conflict. This breakthrough was achieved through efforts such as organizing a friendly football match, which helped build trust and camaraderie between the tribes. Ayuba emphasized that this example demonstrates how interfaith dialogue can serve as a vital tool in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. 

Ayuba also addressed the complexities of fostering interfaith and intercultural dialogue in Nigeria, where there are over 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages. He noted that entrenched stereotypes and deep-rooted mistrust often breed hostility, sometimes even before communities have the chance to engage with one another directly. Despite initial optimism surrounding peacebuilding initiatives, Ayuba pointed out the difficulty of maintaining long-term peace in the face of ongoing religious tensions and biases. 

To tackle these challenges, Ayuba’s organization, UFUK Dialogue, employs a holistic approach that emphasizes the importance of recognizing shared humanity over religious or cultural identities. They collaborate with religious leaders from both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Supreme Islamic Council to engage in interfaith initiatives. Events like the Abrahamic Table, which takes place during major religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, and Eid, gather youth from diverse backgrounds to discuss ways to combat ignorance and promote mutual understanding. Ayuba believes that these initiatives have a “ripple effect,” empowering youth to carry the message of peacebuilding back to their communities and ultimately fostering a cultural shift toward greater harmony. 

Yusuf Ali Bulafu, Dialogue Programs Coordinator at SOMA Foundation in Uganda, opened his remarks with a warm greeting from Uganda and expressed gratitude to all attendees, noting that the session represented the beginning of a significant movement aimed at securing a better future for the world. He emphasized that this gathering was centered on our shared humanity rather than on religious or cultural identities. 

With passion, Yusuf Ali Bulafu articulated the essential role of interfaith dialogue in promoting social justice, particularly for young people. He stressed that such dialogue fosters active understanding and engagement, transcending mere tolerance to achieve a deeper recognition of our shared humanity. He pointed out that justice is a core principle across all religions, asserting that interfaith dialogue unites youth in addressing urgent societal issues like poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Drawing inspiration from figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Abdul Sattar Edhi, who championed justice across religious divides, Yusuf argued that interfaith dialogue empowers young people to advocate for the voiceless and effect meaningful social change. He emphasized that the discussions should lead to real-world action, not just remain as abstract concepts. 

In discussing the connection between interfaith dialogue and social justice, Yusuf illustrated that it helps reinforce our common humanity. He contended that we must first identify as human beings before any religious or cultural labels, establishing a foundation for social justice. Through interfaith dialogue, youth are encouraged to look beyond their differences, fostering solidarity and understanding across communities. 

Yusuf Ali made a clear distinction between tolerance and understanding, explaining that tolerance is a passive stance that involves merely coexisting without engagement or comprehension of the other person’s beliefs. In contrast, interfaith dialogue promotes active understanding, encouraging individuals to engage with and seek to understand each other’s perspectives. This deeper engagement is crucial for dismantling inherited biases and fostering unity. 

He highlighted that all major religions share a fundamental value: justice. Yusuf noted that social justice is at the heart of all faiths, and no religion is complete without it. Through interfaith dialogue, young people can recognize that their spiritual beliefs collectively advocate for justice and inspire action to achieve it. This realization can motivate them to collaborate across faiths to address critical challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. 

By citing the work of Martin Luther King Jr. and Abdul Sattar Edhi, Yusuf Ali underscored the significance of interfaith collaboration in the pursuit of social justice. Both leaders worked alongside individuals of various faiths for the common good, driven by the shared value of justice. 

Yusuf also emphasized the crucial role of youth in interfaith dialogue. He noted that, as the largest demographic in any community, young people are uniquely positioned to serve as bridge-builders and advocates for those who are voiceless. With their energy, time, and determination, youth engaged in interfaith dialogue are well-equipped to drive social change and tackle pressing societal issues. By recognizing the significance of justice across various faiths, young people can take the lead in bridging divides between differing ideologies and beliefs. 

He concluded by underscoring that interfaith dialogue should extend beyond mere conversation and inspire real action. The insights gained from these dialogues can serve as a foundation for addressing tangible challenges within communities, empowering youth to transform discussions into initiatives that foster inclusive development. Yusuf’s remarks highlighted the transformative potential of interfaith dialogue, portraying it not just as a means to promote tolerance but as a powerful catalyst for social justice, unity, and meaningful change in society. 

Serra Kazan, a public health student at Texas A&M University from the United States, shared her valuable insights on the necessity of addressing health disparities through meaningful community engagement, rather than relying solely on scientific knowledge. She pointed out that many health issues—such as inequality, cultural stigmas, and limited access to healthcare—are often deeply intertwined with societal and religious beliefs. These beliefs can influence how individuals and communities understand health, illness, and care. Serra argued that by fostering interfaith dialogue, communities can bridge these divides, ensuring that public health initiatives are not only grounded in scientific principles but are also culturally sensitive, well-received, and effective. 

She further emphasized that healthcare providers must make a dedicated effort to understand and respect cultural and religious norms to build trust with their patients. Establishing this trust is crucial for improving patient adherence to treatment plans, as individuals are more likely to follow medical advice when they feel that their beliefs are honored. Serra highlighted that interfaith inclusivity in healthcare is essential for addressing the systemic inequalities present in the system. By recognizing and valuing the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of patients, healthcare providers can create a more just and equitable healthcare environment for everyone. 

Drawing from her role as the Community Service Officer for her university’s Muslim Student Association (MSA), Serra shared a compelling example of interfaith engagement in action. She described a community initiative in which she and the MSA partnered with a local food bank to distribute food and clothing to underserved families. This project provided not only essential supplies but also fostered collaboration among individuals from various backgrounds, including different religious, racial, and generational groups, united in pursuit of a common goal. Serra noted that while the event addressed immediate needs, it also contributed to building stronger, more interconnected communities. 

She pointed out that this initiative exemplifies the type of community engagement essential for creating lasting change. By involving communities directly in such efforts, the impact tends to be more sustainable over time, as people feel a personal investment in the outcomes. Serra underlined that interfaith engagement has the potential to dismantle barriers between groups, encouraging deeper understanding, respect, and collaboration. She concluded by emphasizing the transformative power of such projects, which can unite people in tackling real-world challenges while nurturing enduring bonds of solidarity among diverse communities. Through interfaith dialogue and active community engagement, Serra believes we can foster a more cohesive, inclusive, and compassionate society. 

Spozhmey Munir, a biological science student at California State University East Bay from the United States, shared her valuable experience in organizing community-based projects, particularly highlighting a mentorship program she developed for high school students in Hayward, California. This initiative was designed to support students who had fled conflict and were confronting various challenges, including language barriers, adjusting to a new education system, and feelings of isolation in an unfamiliar environment. Together with a dedicated team of volunteers, Spozhmey offered academic support, college guidance, and mentorship to these students, helping them forge essential connections and steering them toward the pursuit of higher education. The impact of this initiative was significant, with 14 out of 20 students enrolling in college, many of whom had previously been uncertain about their futures. Spozhmey emphasized the transformative power of mentorship and education in bridging gaps, enhancing self-confidence, and strengthening communities. Her university recognized the success of the program, highlighting the critical role of community engagement in addressing societal challenges.