The Role of Inter-Religious Wisdom in Public Discourse
Universal Peace Federation UK Interfaith Conference – November 21, 2023 | 43 Lancaster Gate, London & Online
Featuring:
David Rennie: Milton Keynes Interfaith Administrator - Candle Lit Silent Prayer
Sheikh Dr. Hojjat Ramzy: Director, Oxford Islamic Information Centre
Rev. Dr. Datto Sumana Siri: Buddhist Cardinal of U.K. & Europe, Global Buddhist Realist Movement
Audience Questions and Answers
The Universal Peace Federation UK (UPF-UK) hosted an inspiring interfaith conference titled “The Role of Inter-Religious Wisdom in Public Discourse” at Lancaster Gate and online. This unique event brought together distinguished faith leaders, civic representatives, and Ambassadors for Peace to explore how inter-religious wisdom can guide dialogue, strengthen democracy, and promote community harmony. Convened by the Universal Peace Federation UK's Inter-religious Association for Peace and Development to participate in the National Interfaith Week in the UK.
Candle-Lit Silent Prayer for Peace
David Rennie opened the event with an interfaith candle-lighting and silent prayer, inviting participants to reflect on the suffering caused by global conflicts and the need for spiritual solidarity.
Listening and Local Dialogue – Canon Cllr. Ann Easter
Canon Ann Easter shared insights from her work in Newham, one of London’s most religiously diverse boroughs. She highlighted the importance of listening and building trust through local Faith Forums, which addressed issues such as public health during Covid-19, women’s experiences in faith traditions, gambling, and end-of-life concerns. She reminded the audience that “we have so much in common” across different traditions.
Inter-Religious Dialogue as a Force for Justice – Sheikh Dr. Hojjat Ramzy
Sheikh Dr. Hojjat Ramzy stressed that interfaith cooperation is essential for protecting dignity, aiding the vulnerable, and safeguarding religious freedom. Dialogue, he emphasized, does not erase differences but affirms mutual respect. He concluded that “this dialogue and understanding will eradicate any type of phobia.”
Wisdom Beyond Knowledge – Rev. Dr. Sumana Siri
Rev. Dr. Sumana Siri reflected on the difference between knowledge and wisdom, reminding participants that true wisdom is internal and transformative. He urged respect and reciprocity across religions, noting that superiority claims only breed division.
UN Reform and Spiritual Wisdom – Robin Marsh
Robin Marsh, Secretary General of UPF-UK, presented on the potential role of religious and spiritual wisdom in global governance and UN reform. This was an initiative of Rev Dr Sun Myung Moon and Dr Hak Ja Han, co-founders of UPF. He argued that a bicameral structure that includes inter-religious perspectives could provide the moral compass needed for peace, justice, and reconciliation.
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Universal Peace Federation UK (UPF) convened an interfaith conference titled, "The Role of Inter-Religious Wisdom in Public Discourse."
The event was an enlightening and enriching experience. At this conference, we explored the profound impact of inter-religious wisdom on shaping meaningful conversations in the public sphere. Distinguished speakers from various faith backgrounds shared their insights and experiences on how the rich tapestry of religious traditions can contribute to fostering understanding, empathy, and collaboration in our diverse society. There was an engaging panel discussion featuring experts from different faith communities as well as thought-provoking talks on the role of inter-religious wisdom in contemporary public discourse.
We had wide-ranging contributions from the audience both online and in-person audience.
David Rennie: Milton Keynes Interfaith Administrator - Candle Lit Silent Prayer
David Rennie led a period of representatives of different faiths lighting candles and silent prayer for the suffering people involved in the many conflicts in the world. He explained that he helped to organise a similar interfaith prayer meeting in Milton Keynes recently.
Canon Cllr Ann Easter talked about listening in her role with constituents and how to develop relationships that form the bedrock of community harmony. She spoke of Newham as a lovely Borough where almost everyone has a faith. There is a Muslim woman Mayor, Roxzana Fiyaz, in Newham. She had invited Canon Ann Easter to be the Commissioner for Interfaith Engagement. Her engagement began in the local faith forums where there is a chance to listen, learn and share. The faith forums just started before Covid 19 emerged and those forums were useful to tackle issues that arose during Covid lockdowns. Endless Faith Forum zoom calls occurred about safety and vaccinations etc. Faith Forums also discussed age expectancy. Urban centres have lower life expectancy than the suburbs but faith members have a longer life on average. Gambling was another issue as well as women’s experience in faith traditions. Representatives are usually male so she has often been a minority. End of life issues have also been discussed. Differences between the faith cultures arose in those discussions. Very important issues arose in very local forums. 60 people from the Borough attended many of those discussions.
This was very good local level dialogue about practical issues using the inter-religious wisdom of all their traditions. The common refrain is that ‘we have so much in common’.
Sheikh Dr Hojjat Ramzy perceives religion as playing a vital role in today’s society. Inter-religious and interfaith cooperation is developing in the UK with mutual respect and cooperation. He emphasised that mutual respect is needed to work together successfully to promote the dignity and life of human beings as well as aid the vulnerable in society. Religions can also work together to protect the rights and responsibilities of each other and caring for all creation.
The importance of inter-religious dialogue, he understands, is that it brings together all religions but does not create a uniformity of religious groups. Dialogue maintains religions and does not seek to change their individual faiths. Nations without fear of religious supremacy can seek inter-religious dialogue to maintain respect peace and justice both within its borders and with its neighbours. Those multi-faith nations extend respect to many different places of worship and their communities. Those communities then integrate within their nations and show a peaceful model to the wider world.
He highlighted that ‘this dialogue and understanding will eradicate any type of phobia’.
He spoke of the former US Secretary of State, John Kerry who said that one of the ‘interesting challenges’ of international diplomacy is to understand how the wide range of religious traditions across the world impact on foreign affairs. Kerry commented that he would study Comparative Religion rather than Political Science if he had the choice again.
Sheikh Ramzy concluded saying that the protection of religious freedom should be the priority of all democratic countries and that as a 40 year practitioner of inter-religious dialogue and interfaith relations, he understands its potential to bring both peace and justice.
Rev Dr Sumana Siri said that he is the first Buddhist Monk who is a Christian Theologian trained in Oxford and a Politician in Malaysia. His presentation was largely asking a series of questions to make the audience reflect.
The first question was, ‘How is wisdom different from knowledge?’
He explained that wisdom is what you realise from within yourself. It is not theoretical. Knowledge is gained by learning information while wisdom is transformational. In the Buddhist world you gain wisdom from within yourself.
He asked another question, ‘How can we become more wise?’
He said that the wise man will live righteously. They will not put trust in a treasure that anyone can steal away. They will not store treasures on earth. The moment you are bounded you are caught up. Reciprocity is the core of the universe. If you respect you will be respected. If you say, ‘my religion is the best.’ Then the other religion is discriminated against. There is no superiority or inferiority in Buddhism.