The role of Religious Leaders in Encouraging Reconciliation

Over the course of the three days, a number of presentations were given by international and Sudanese experts on promoting religious co-existence and reconciliation in Sudan. Dr Sigvard Von Sicard of Birmingham University in the UK, spoke about what Islamic and Christian religious texts and teachings say about peace, conflict, violence and reconciliation. Imam Sani Isah and Reverend Bitrus Dangiwa of the Inter-faith Mediation Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria, shared their experiences of religious conflict and presented Nigeria as a case study where inter-religious reconciliation had worked to great effect and had facilitated religious co-existence. Peter Dixon spoke about interreligious experience in other countries and regions. Each presentation was followed by a plenary discussion that was vigorous, frank and informed, resulting in the formulation of recommendations and practical proposals which will be used to draft a set of guidelines to assist Sudanese religious leaders in promoting reconciliation.