Last week the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted an important intercultural and interfaith dialogue at the Czernin Palace in Prague. The topic was “Freedom of Religion or Belief to Build Peace, Counter Islamophobia and Radical Ideologies.”

The event was attended by ambassadors, government ministers, religious leaders, academics, and civil society actors from around the world. Moderating the opening panel, RFI’s Miles Windsor presented briefly on the task at hand and introduced the keynote speakers: Mr. Eduard Hulicius, Deputy Foreign Minister for the Czech Republic; H.E. Sheikh al Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace; Ms. Mariah Mercer, Deputy to the U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom; Ms. Nadine Maenza, President of the IRF Secretariat; and Dr. Mats Braun, Director of the Czech Institute for International Relations.

Reflecting on the conference, Windsor said:

We live in an era of division and discord. Recent statistics on anti-Muslim hate crimes are shocking, along with an extremely disturbing escalation of anti-Semitism, and abuses against other faith communities. UK Home Office figures show that religious hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales have risen by 25% over the past year.

The foundational principle of religious freedom has, at its heart, the value and dignity of every human being, regardless of their religious identities or convictions. Religious freedom acknowledges fundamental disagreements on ultimate questions, but works toward respect and peaceful coexistence in spite of our differences. Those fighting in this cause are remarkably diverse in their faith backgrounds, nationalities, ethnicities, and political positions. It is incumbent on us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, speaking out for our neighbour, united by our vision and determination to build a more stable, secure, and peaceful world. Of course, this conference did not resolve every challenge, but we hope it was the start of an important process and may contribute in some small way to the task ahead.