HWPL, an international peace NGO, hosted the International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) online on Friday, November 28, 2025, under the theme “Understanding Between Religions: The Path Toward Harmony.” The event aimed to reduce misunderstandings, build trust, and promote peaceful coexistence among religious communities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Participants included religious leaders and civil society representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.
IRPA is an educational program operated by HWPL to address inter-religious misunderstandings and establish a practical framework for dialogue. Participants study religious texts comparatively, identify shared values, and engage in open discussion to develop actionable principles for cooperation. The program also strengthens conflict mediation skills and community-based peace education among religious leaders and youth.
During the program, representatives of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism delivered presentations on birth, aging, illness, and death, followed by discussions comparing shared themes across religions. Participants explored religious perspectives on life and death and reviewed principles of coexistence outlined in sacred texts.
The MENA region continues to face complex instability driven by sectarian tensions and geopolitical conflicts, with the recent escalation of the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza heightening mistrust among religious communities. Eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, is also experiencing ongoing religious and ethnic conflicts amid political instability. In this context, IRPA seeks to provide a practical framework for communication and dialogue among religious leaders to reduce misunderstandings and prejudice.
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Pastor Marcos A. Daka of the Ethiopian Church of Jesus stated, “Establishing a cooperative structure based on mutual understanding among religious leaders is essential, and this program provided valuable guidance for developing such collaboration.” Blessen Kairian, a member of Ajman Church in the UAE, added, “In complex conflict environments, an integrated network linking religion, politics, and civil society is crucial, and IRPA helps lay a practical foundation for such cooperation.”
HWPL, registered with the UN ECOSOC, operates IRPA to promote dialogue, resolve interfaith misunderstandings, and establish peaceful agreements. The organization will hold the Interfaith Peace Prayer Meeting on December 6 and continue follow-up initiatives, including annual education plans with regional religious leaders, a regular IRPA curriculum, and academic forums examining religious conflict cases.
