For Christian communities facing hostility, dialogue represents both principled witness and practical wisdom. By engaging other faiths respectfully while maintaining a clear identity, Christians fulfill their calling to be salt and light. They create conditions where persecution becomes less likely and stand for human dignity, justice, peace, and creation care in ways that transform not just individual lives but entire societies. The path forward requires courage, commitment, and creativity — moving beyond platitudes to meaningful engagement with religious difference. In a world where isolation breeds conflict, dialogue offers a pathway toward reconciliation, renewal, and restoration of our broken world.
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Appreciating Australia: resolving to make the best of our opportunities
Bishop Philip Huggins has an adjunct professional presence at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, in Canberra. In Canberra during this Budget week he offers reflections on what it means to be Australian – including immigrants and those in the endless waiting room of obtaining permanent residence. A strong democracy has a lot to offer Australians and those whom we interact with by way of international trade and multilateralism. We cannot allow a “She’ll be right, mate” attitude towards our planet, our climate and the incremental damage of rising temperatures impacting all on Earth.
Crimes of the transatlantic slave trade ‘unacknowledged, unspoken and unaddressed’
The transatlantic slave trade may have ended centuries ago but its legacy is ever present, the UN Secretary-General said on Tuesday, marking the International Day of Remembrance for its victims.
Cardinal Parolin: ‘There is no longer any respect for humanitarian law’
The Holy See Secretary of State expresses concern about the “systematic violation of international law”, especially the bombing of civilians and the killing of aid workers. He also comments on Pope Francis’ recovery, saying the Pope will continue to work on the most important issues, but needs time to rest.
The Need-for “Dialogical-Communicative Model” of revelation in Islamic theology
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.
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.