Today, we live in a world where all religions are everywhere. Our religion can be a majority in one place, and a minority in another. As different global trends create tension (e.g., inflation, slowing economic growth, the war in Eastern Europe, etc.), it is too often the case that some individuals, governments and even religious majorities can stereotype and/or work against religious minorities.

Indeed, our global challenges demand trust-based solutions if they are to be sustainable. Trust comes partially from a mutual engagement that tolerates differences, does not demean or denigrate, but celebrates the dignity of our neighbor and understands and respects the essence of our neighbor’s identity (even if, and especially when, we do not agree with our neighbor’s beliefs and/or behavior).

Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue believes that the essence of religion is peace and that religions should be used as a power for enhancing relationships and freedom. Each religion has mechanisms that help human beings to be good and productive, as well as social dynamics and infrastructures that can build societies and thus develop nations and civilizations. For a pluralistic society to coexist and sustain itself, the members of the society should be wise in their words, reasonable in their thoughts, and restrained in their actions. Indeed, these are the teachings of almost all religions, with few exceptions.

Moreover, to live together in the age of globalization, people are interested in learning about religions other than their own, not only to achieve the common good but also to interact with each other and make progress. People in today’s world respect differences, accept diversity and agree that each individual religion and community should be respected for who they are and how they believe. Dialogues are not platforms for reshaping religions and belief systems, just as dialogue conferences and seminars cannot transform religions. Harmony, pluralism, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence do not mean religious people have a uniformity of coexistence in which all think and act alike.

Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue is hosting—in partnership with Multi-faith Neighbors Network—this international conference, on 9-11 May 2023, entitled:

“From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility: Building Communities of Advocacy and Action.”

The purpose of this conference is to highlight issues related to coexistence, religious freedom, and religious pluralism from the standpoint of human rights, legislation, and religious perspectives. Different faith communities will exchange practices and approaches to understand each other’s perceptions and address existing global issues and problems. In addition, ways to move from religious freedom to religious responsibility will be discussed, and communities will be formed to advocate for this cause and take further action.