Rabat- Morocco’s ambassador to the Vatican Rajae Naji Mekkaoui participated in the inaugural ceremony of the 36th International Meeting of Prayer for Peace of world religions in the Spirit of Assisi, under the theme “a Cry For Peace.”
The event in Rome is organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio, and took place between October 23 to 25.
The ceremony brought together leaders of European and world churches, including representatives of Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist religions and secular humanists, the embassy clarified in a statement.
Participants in the inter-religious event highlighted the importance of this meeting, held in a ”particular context marked by the war in Ukraine and the persistence of violence and conflict, particularly in Syria, the Horn of Africa and northern Mozambique.”
“It is urgent and necessary to make this cry for peace heard,” they added, noting that peace is the only solution to ensure the survival of the world.
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The Italian President Sergio Mattarella, called for the creation of “paths to peace with perseverance.”
He invited the international community to collectively commit to value dialogue, negotiations and the use of diplomacy instead of weapons.
Founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio Andrea Riccardi affirmed that when it aims for peace, every religion is at its best.
Riccardi quoted the words of late Pope John Paul II, during the 1986 meeting in Assisi, calling for overcoming mutual ignorance and conflicts between believers.
“Religion is a real influential force which, if misinterpreted, could be the cause of bloody wars throughout history” said the Secretary General of the Islamic World League Mohammad Abdelkarim Al-Issa, referring to the many attempts of religious discourse manipulation.
MWN With MAP
