The international peace organization [HWPL] has called on young people to receive interfaith education so that they have a broad understanding of various religious and faith issues.
In a statement issued by HWPL and distributed to the media, it said that during the peace tour of Melbourne in Germany, HWPL met many young people and educated them about religion and faith.
The statement said the Youth Trip was held on January 18, 2025 with the main objective of bringing interfaith peace to gather young people at three places of worship in Melbourne for the participation of education and interfaith.
It said other reasons were to promote harmony through dialogue, education and peace building.
It said its World Alliance of Religions’ Peace [WARP] office promotes interfaith cooperation by bringing together leaders of different religions to reduce divisions, address misunderstandings and highlight common values, building peace through mutual respect and understanding.
The program aimed to inspire the next generation of peacemakers by promoting understanding and fostering dialogue between different religions.
The youth had the opportunity to visit a Muslim mosque, a Hindu temple, and a Sikh Gurdwara and learn about Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism in a fun and interactive environment.
The youth learned about the traditions, history, and core values of their respective religions. Religious leaders welcomed questions, fostering open and respectful dialogue.
The youth also observed traditions, understood the history and types of gods, and concluded with a quiz and traditional music.
“I didn’t just learn about different religions, I learned how much we are all similar. This experience showed me that peace begins when we truly listen and respect each other,” said Mr. Adam, a member of the International Peace Youth Group [IPYG].
Sheik Aamir said the essence of the program is that not all people here who believe in the same way have different perspectives and in the end it is better not to fight and love each other.
“The temple is always open to anyone to come and we welcome anyone. I would be surprised if any other religion was not open to meeting us and getting to know us,” he said.
Building on the success of the Melbourne Peace Tour, HWPL will continue to expand its interfaith initiatives with more programs in cities across Australia and beyond.
Future events will include workshops, discussions with religious leaders, youth-led peace projects to foster understanding and cooperation in the community.
