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Former president opens summit

03 Feb 2007 19:55:06 GMT
Source: Norwegian Church Aid - Norway

Background

• Somalia troubles

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The historical Muslim and Christian leaders' peace conference on Somalia started off on a high note with the official opening by former Tanzanian president Al Hajj Ali Hassan Mwinyi.

By Isaiah Kipyegon in Dar es Salaam

In his opening speech, the former president called on religious leaders to play a leading role in bringing lasting peace not only in Somalia but in the whole Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa.

"Religious leaders are able to address conflict even more than anyone else because they reach many people everyday, people listen to and respect them. Additionally, religious leaders have the capacity, the constituency, the respect and the goodwill of people in the communities," said Ali Hassan Mwinyi.

All religions for peace
The former president reiterated that none of the religions in Africa advocate for violence and conflicts; but all of them teach harmony. He asked the religious leaders to be wary of some elements that have misinterpreted religious beliefs and used them to cause conflict and mistrust between the different religions.

Speaking during the official opening also was Rev. Fred Nyabera from the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA), who said that the presence of the many religious leaders in the meeting was a demonstration of their commitment to peace in the region.

No religious conflict in Somalia
"I urge you to stand in unity and send out the message that the conflict in Somalia is not a religious conflict as it has been depicted," said Nyabera.

On the agenda after the official opening were presentations from key religious leaders, scholars, and peace workers from the countries of eastern Africa including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, and Sudan among others.

The leaders' conference is organized and hosted by religious leaders in Tanzania in conjunction with Norwegian Church Aid and partners.

For more information, contact:

Odd H. Evjen, regional representative for NCA Eatern Africa, Tel. +254 733 609936

Isaiah Kipyegon, regional communication and advocacy coordinator for NCA Eastern Africa, Tel. +254 723 938133

Fredrik Glad Gjernes, country representative for NCA in Tanzania, Tel. +255 78 7770811

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Mon Feb 5 12:54:00 2007