Addressing Anti-Semitism: Religious Leaders Unite for Global Peace at World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue
Baku, Azerbaijan recently hosted the World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue for the sixth time. The forum aims to build connections and dialogue between leaders of different religions, including Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and others, in order to promote global peace and security. Over three days, the conference featured plenary sessions and panel discussions with government officials, international organizations, cultural figures, journalists, religious leaders, and intellectuals from around the world.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents worldwide. A joint report from the Ministry of Diaspora and the Fight against Anti-Semitism, the Zionist Organization, and the Jewish Agency showed a 235% increase compared to the previous year. Most of these incidents occurred in North America and Europe. The rise in anti-Semitism has been linked to ongoing conflict known as ‘Iron Swords’ war.
Gadi Gronich CEO of European Rabbinical Conference Foundation emphasized on religious leaders taking responsibility for promoting understanding tolerance partnership during his speech at World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue. He urged leaders to speak out against hatred and anti-Semitism highlighting that interreligious dialogue can repair relationships damaged by recent events. Nihal Saad Chairman of Alliance of Civilizations at UN also emphasized UN stance against racist hate crimes targeting religious communities during his speech at World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue in Baku.
The conference served as a platform for discussions on combating anti-Semitism promoting interfaith understanding cooperation. With tensions on the rise globally there is an urgent need for religious leaders to work together addressing root causes of hatred discrimination which was highlighted by many speakers at World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue held in Baku .
