The multi-faith workshop was a wonderful success! We saw around 50 representatives from at least 11 different countries represented in the workshop. We saw clerics from 5 separate USA cities present. Many of the evangelical pastors had never met an Imam. Most of the clerics had never been to the Middle East. In one situation (Dallas/Fort Worth) two clerics served at congregations that bordered one another, and yet they shared that they would have never met except for this effort.
As a result of the workshop, we saw great relationships built and we saw them work together to develop more than 30 measurable, actionable projects that will be executed over the coming year.
The clerics from the U.S. and many of the speakers had never been to Qatar. They were incredibly impressed with the city, the religious freedom that they saw, and the faiths represented within Qatar at the event. The people-to-people diplomacy dynamic was extremely strong. They left with a very positive view. They were also impressed with DICID and how many years it has been doing this good work which underscores our premise that most people do not recognize the role of Qatar in the global conversation of religious freedom and multi-faith engagement.
The Religion and Rule of Law track witnessed more than 50 scholars and practitioners from more than 20 countries come together to discuss how religion is related to dignity, peacebuilding, and the rule of law. Old relationships were renewed, and new ones began, as one and all sought new ways for societies and states to flourish and thrive.
There were spirited discussions around the three R’s that Dr. Chris Seiple referenced in his opening remarks: Religious freedom, Relational diplomacy, and the Rule of law. Each unique faith, culture, and location present brought in different stories of success, challenges, and opportunities to work together in fresh ways.
One of the highlights was Jennifer Murtazashvili who grew up at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh that was attacked in 2018. She was able to compare lessons learned and apply them to the peacemaking work she has done in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.