Ms. Amina Bello gives a presentation on behalf of UN Women.

The existence of religious violence is unjustifiable. Recognizing the need to address and mitigate its occurrence, the commemoration of the International Day of Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief was held on August 22, 2024. Over 50 diverse participants attended the event organized by the UN Mission in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, and other civil society organizations.

The program included several impactful speeches, panel discussions, and an experience-sharing session. Each segment was designed to educate and engage attendees as peacebuilders to increase interfaith cooperation, foster a sense of community, improve religious tolerance, and promote peaceful coexistence.

Several speakers offered their unique insights into addressing and mitigating religious violence. UN Resident Coordinator Mohammed Fall emphasized the importance of collectivity. Emeka Mbah, deputy director of IPCR, outlined the importance of resilience and reflection on current human rights frameworks. In his keynote presentation, “An Analysis of Religious Violence on Interfaith Social Relations,” Dr. Philip Hayab stressed the importance of peacebuilding in Northern Nigeria. Dr. Amina Bello of UN Women addressed the need for inclusive dialogue and empowerment of women to overcome the negative impact of religious violence.

Sheikh Maraya (center) responds during Q&A session next to Rev. John Joseph Hayab (right).

In the panel discussion “Building Peace and Protection in the Face of Religious Violence,” GPF Nigeria Country Director Rev. John Joseph Hayab identified religious freedom as a fundamental human right that, when denied, often results in violence. Emphasizing the alignment of human rights protection with the vision of GPF (One Family under God) he called on religious leaders to address religious intolerance with honesty and humility and avoid personal agendas.

Adding to the discussion, Sheikh Halliru A. Maraya, northern coordinator of GPF Nigeria, spoke on how ignorance and the manipulation of religious teachings contribute to religious violence. He challenged religious leaders to use wisdom and moderation to produce collective harmony.

UN Women facilitated an Experience Sharing session, offering useful insights for helping victims and promoting resilience. In addition, UN Women concluded the event by presenting a Communiqué summarizing the discussions and recommendations followed by closing remarks and a vote of thanks.

GPF Nigeria hosts a roundtable commemorating International Day of Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

The diverse attendees were engaged throughout the event with several testimonies underscoring its success in emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue in peacebuilding. According to Pastor James Ndukwe, “The program’s emphasis on interfaith dialogue has significantly strengthened our collective efforts towards peace, fostering a deeper understanding and cooperation among different religious communities.”

Further, championing the need to empower women and children, Fatima Aliyu of UN Women stated, “The discussions and recommendations provided a clearer pathway for addressing the unique challenges faced by women and children affected by religious violence, ensuring they receive the protection and support they need.”

The commemoration of the International Day of Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief highlighted the importance of a collective approach to addressing and mitigating religious violence. From the alliance of the event’s organizers to the attendees, everyone has a role in peacebuilding to foster interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance to create peaceful coexistence.

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