The Dialogical-Communicative Model that Khorchide proposes offers a compelling alternative. Here, God is understood fundamentally as a being of unconditional mercy and love, whose revelation initiates a relationship rather than simply issuing commands. The Quran itself points to this understanding when it describes God as “ar-Rahman ar-Rahim” (the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful)—words that Muslims repeat at the beginning of nearly every chapter of the Quran and countless times throughout their daily lives.
News
Buddhism’s holiest site erupts in protests over Hindu ‘control’ of shrine
Bodh Gaya, India — As he stood in a queue outside a makeshift tent kitchen for breakfast, 30-year-old Abhishek Bauddh could not help but reflect on the throngs of people around him in Bodh Gaya, Buddhism’s holiest site.
Bauddh has been visiting the town in eastern India’s Bihar state, where the Buddha gained enlightenment, since he was 15. “But I have never seen such an atmosphere. Buddhists from all over the country are gathering here,” he said.
For once, they are not in Bodh Gaya only for a pilgrimage. They are part of a protest by Buddhists that has erupted across India in recent weeks over a demand that control of Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple, one of the faith’s most sacred shrines, be handed over exclusively to the community.
11th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organisations in International Affairs
The World Council of Churches (WCC), in collaboration with UN agencies and interfaith partners, invites global faith-based actors, civil society leaders, policymakers, and international affairs experts to register for the 11th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs, to be held on hybrid mode in New York City on 3 April.
‘New Zealand’s darkest day’: Remembering the Christchurch mosque massacre, six years on
Friday, 15 March 2019, was a quiet autumn day in Christchurch, like any other — until it wasn’t.
At around 1.40pm, a lone gunman, live streaming his actions on social media, carried out the worst terror attack in New Zealand’s history, killing 51 people.
At the time, Imam Gamal Fouda had been leading Friday prayers inside Al Noor Mosque in Riccarton, a residential suburb in the city’s west, when the gunman approached. He was greeted at the door by grandfather Haji Daoud Nabi, who welcomed him saying “Hello brother”.
What is the Unification Church and why does it face dissolution in Japan?
The Unification Church is a church US intelligence said helped overthrow a government, invited Donald Trump to speak at its events and saw former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev meet its founder. The Unification Church, a religious movement derived from Christianity, has had deep connections to world politics for decades.
Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action
Religions for Peace is pleased to announce the Second Call for Nominations for the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award. This award recognizes the remarkable contributions of women of faith who are driving multi-religious collaboration for peace, human rights, and shared human flourishing.
Hope for Children Through Climate Justice
The urgency of the climate catastrophe demands strong and effective responses. With fossil fuels driving over 75% of global CO2 emissions, we need to hold accountable those who still finance their expansion, harming us and future generations.
This publication helps to empower people of faith and partners in World Council of Churches global constituency with the knowledge for legal action. It provides a menu of strategies particularly aimed at financial institutions, one of the most powerful levers to accelerate climate solutions. It is a call to answer the pleas of the scientific community and young people to tackle the root causes of harm to creation and protect future generation’s right to life.
Bridging Faiths: The Shared Mission of Ramadan and Lent for Social Justice and Unity
Australia celebrates diversity of cultures and faiths, as evidenced by the events of Harmony Week. The importance of fostering religious harmony is evident for establishing a peaceful and flourishing society. As our world continues to diversify, it is imperative that we embrace and respect differing religious beliefs to nurture social harmony. We must strive to create an environment that champions open-mindedness, tolerance, and mutual understanding among people of all faiths.
Google has dropped its promise not to use AI for weapons
Religions for Peace Australia has opposed the use of Killer Robots, and the growing trend of militarization of the resources of Artificial Intelligence and the arms industry – in Australia and elsewhere. Here, The Conversation reports on Google quietly abandoning a long-standing commitment to not use artificial intelligence (AI) technology in weapons or surveillance. While Artificial Intelligence has given immeasurable benefits in many dimensions of human endeavour, the use of artificial intelligence and robots should not, ever, have the final decision over a human life or many human lives. In this wise, Religions for Peace Australia sides with Pope Francis, who has condemned the use of artificial intelligence and killer robots in warfare or any other sphere of human life wherein robots or an intelligence algorithm decides whether or not humans may live.
Riding the wave that comes: the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Religion in Australia
A new essay from the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute explores how religious leaders and communities in Australia are engaging with artificial intelligence, using it as a tool while grappling with its ethical, theological, and practical implications for faith, authority, and human judgement.
Relational Remedy Framework: Australian Antislavery Sector
The Relational Remedy Framework for peer support was created by Survivor Connections in response to the need for a relational approach to recovery from experiences of modern slavery.
It recognises the unique capacity that survivors have to stand in solidarity with their peers. We learned that walking together can complement traditional service-recipient models, by providing the mutuality and reciprocity needed for relational healing.
Peers support providers draw on their lived experience to offer empathy and expertise. They help survivors navigate the challenges of accessing and engaging with service systems. A Webinar in supporting peer-led systems will be offered on 7th April 2025.
First Nations: Catholic organisations called to resume the journey
After a period of healing, reflection and discernment following the outcome of 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council and Caritas Australia are calling on Catholic organisations to rejoin the One Journey, Together initiative.