On Saturday, 21 Sept. 2024, on the International Day of Peace, UPF Finland held an event in Helsinki on the topic: “Religion as a tool for world peace.”
Four speakers presented their views:
Rev. Lauri Oinonen and Pastor Anthony Kapindula representing evangelical Christianity,
Imam Abdoul Tahirou-Varjonen from the Finnish Muslim Forum and an Associate Professor Emeritus of the Helsinki University,
Dr. Faruk Abu-Chacra, of Druze background, addressed the theme.
The presenters discussed aspects of their respective faith traditions for enhancing peace building. The connecting point of the presentations was that religion should ignite human responsibility in addressing conflicts and exercise its capacity for reconciliation.
This call to religion comes from their understanding of the human condition of being called to goodness but being ridden by conflict.
An audience of twenty participants from various backgrounds was interested in the issue. Especially after the event, a lively discussion took place, resulting in a fruitful discovery of common interests for networking and further communication.