Muslim World League launches West Africa social peace initiative
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The Muslim World League has launched an initiative to promote social peace in West Africa, bringing together religious, political and civil society leaders under a joint plan to strengthen coexistence and prevent conflict.
The initiative was launched by Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, after the league’s international conference in Abuja.
The conference, titled “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future,” was held under the patronage of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It brought together Muslim and Christian religious leaders, ministers, parliamentarians and civil society representatives from the region.
The gathering ended with the unanimous adoption of the Abuja Declaration by religious leaders representing West Africa’s faith communities.
Joint action plan
The declaration sets out a joint plan involving government institutions, religious leaders and civil society organisations.
It focuses on preventing conflict, strengthening social cohesion and protecting national unity in a region shaped by religious and ethnic diversity.
The declaration also calls for more scientific, training and media programs linked to the Charter of Makkah, with the aim of addressing challenges to peace, coexistence and social stability.
It also seeks stronger partnerships to prevent conflict and preserve the social fabric of communities across West Africa.
Monitoring progress
A coordinating body made up of religious and civil leaders, along with institutions from across West Africa, will be formed to follow up on the plan.
The body will monitor implementation, coordinate programs linked to the declaration and carry out regular assessments of progress.
The initiative also focuses on addressing the root causes of intellectual and social problems, including extremist ideologies.
It seeks to support long-term cooperation through binding agreements among governments, religious institutions and civil society organisations.
Charter of Makkah
The Muslim World League, based in Makkah, is an international nongovernmental organisation representing Muslim peoples and scholars around the world.
It includes Muslim scholars and representatives of Islamic organisations and institutions, and works to promote understanding, coexistence and cooperation while countering extremism and encouraging dialogue among faiths and communities.
The West Africa initiative forms part of the league’s wider work to promote the principles of the Charter of Makkah.
The charter was adopted in 2019 by Muslim scholars and leaders from around the world as a framework for moderation, coexistence, respect for religious and cultural diversity and rejection of extremism.