The Network, in collaboration with Finn Church Aid and the Parish Unions of Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki, hosted the second interfaith iftar dinner event. 60 representatives of different religious communities came together to advance interreligious dialogue throughout Finland. This event is hosted to advance the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement of Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes.
The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, Finn Church Aid (FCA) and the Parish Unions of Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki hosted their second interfaith ifar dinner at the end of May. The iftar event aimed to promote interreligious dialogue by bringing together 60 representatives from different religious communities and peace organizations based throughout Finland. This successful event is anticipated to be held on a yearly basis during the month of Ramadan, with the event location rotating between the cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki.
This iftar dinner serves as an initiative to advance the Network’s thematic focus on interreligious dialogue and cooperation. This thematic area of Network activity aims to support the UN Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement of Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes. This plan of action was developed in cooperation with the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.
The Network and FCA collaboratively hosted their first iftar dinner in conjunction with UN Special Advisor Adama Dieng’s visit to Helsinki in 2018. To continue to support and advance the initiatives of the United Nations, the Network is providing assistance in organizing the fall 2019 Plan of Action meeting of the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect held in Helsinki.
Interreligious dialogue is a key area of focus for the Network. The Network’s work and activities in Finland focused on supporting local and national authorities to form need-based analysis of the best practices and support needed, and to engage with people and families affected by violent extremism on the local level. The Shoulder-to-Shoulder model for community-based inter-faith collaboration engaged with the religious communities and promoted dialogue on collaborative inter-faith action, and the need for support for religious minorities.
25 June 2019