(MENAFN- HWPL) HWPL, an international peace NGO, hosted the International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) on Friday, November 28, 2025 online, under the theme “Understanding Between Religions: The Path Toward Harmony.” The event was held to promote conflict reduction and mutual understanding among religious communities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with participation from religious leaders and civil society members from the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.
IRPA is an educational program operated by HWPL to address misunderstandings among religions and establish a practical framework for dialogue in regions where diverse religions coexist. The program focuses on deriving shared values and applicable practices through scripture comparison and open discussion. IRPA is structured to strengthen conflict mediation and community-based peace education capabilities among religious leaders and youth.
The program consisted of presentations by representatives of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism on the topic of birth, aging, illness, and death, followed by discussions comparing shared themes among religions. Participants examined interpretations of life and death from religious perspectives and reviewed principles of coexistence presented in religious scriptures.
The MENA region continues to face complex instability driven by sectarian tensions and geopolitical confrontation, and the recent escalation of armed conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has intensified distrust among religious communities in the region. Eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, is also experiencing ongoing religious and ethnic conflicts amid political instability. In this context, IRPA aims to establish a practical framework for communication and dialogue between religious leaders to reduce misunderstanding and prejudice.
Pastor Marcos A. Daka of the Ethiopian Church of Jesus stated that “Establishing a cooperative structure based on mutual understanding among religious leaders is important and the program provided reference points for developing such collaboration.” Blessen Kairian, a member of Ajman Church in the United Arab Emirates, remarked “An integrated network linking religion, politics, and civil society is necessary in complex conflict environments and IRPA contributes to forming a practical foundation for cooperation.”
HWPL is an international peace NGO registered under the UN ECOSOC, operating IRPA with the objective of resolving misunderstandings among religions and deriving peaceful agreements. HWPL will hold the “Interfaith Peace Prayer Meeting” on December 6 and plans to continue follow-up initiatives, including establishing annual education plans with regional religious leaders, operating a regular IRPA curriculum, and organizing academic forums that examine religious conflict cases.

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