Ethiopia's religious leaders are being called upon to take a leading role in resolving conflicts and promoting national unity. This message was at the forefront of the 4th National Peace Conference, which opened today in Harar under the theme "Religion for Peace, Unity, and Solidarity."

Priest Tagay Tadele, Chairman of the Ethiopian Religious Institutions Council, emphasized the crucial role religious institutions play. "This gathering provides an opportunity for religions to stand for a common purpose,"he stated, highlighting the goal of galvanizing religious groups to preserve the country's long history of mutual respect. He added that the conference aims to carry forward the "historical legacy of our ancestors without erasing their valuable contributions."

The two-day conference, jointly organized by the Ethiopian and Harari Religious Institutions Councils, comes at a time of ongoing challenges in the region, underscoring the critical need for interfaith cooperation.

Roza Omar, Deputy Governor of the Harari Region, echoed these sentiments, describing religion as the "very foundation of peace, unity, and solidarity."She noted that the Harari region has a strong legacy of interfaith harmony, a value passed down through generations. Roza expressed her hope that religious leaders will work to strengthen and sustain this established value nationwide.

The conference will feature discussions on peacebuilding and interfaith cooperation, bringing together prominent religious figures and community leaders from across Ethiopia.