Inter-faith groups embark on religious exchange in Juba

Inter-religious organisations in South Sudan have joined hands to promote women’s rights to engage in religious issues.

The churches include the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, the Pentecostal Church, the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, the Islamic Council, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The event, hosted by the South Sudan Islamic Council, brought aboard women’s rights champions and faith leaders to challenge gender-discriminatory social norms and promote women’s rights in South Sudan.

The one-day interfaith exchange visit was conducted by the Christian Agency for Peace and Development (CAPaD) in partnership with the Faith to Action Network (F2A).

Speaking during the opening session, Mr Peter Malir Biar, the Executive Director of the organization, said the interfaith experience sharing was instrumental in achieving gender parity across various denominations.

“We want to make sure that there is no difference between Muslims and Christians.” This is all about peace. We must unite as a faith and support women’s rights, “he explained.

“If we can work together, we can bring peace, and this is what we are trying to demonstrate,” he added.

According to Mr Malir, it is high time for faith-based groups to work together in a bid to support and achieve women’s rights.

Bansio Amum Deng, the Deputy Secretary-General of the South Sudan Islamic Council, commended the program. He revealed that women’s rights were clearly covered in the interfaith provisions and that the interfaith groups should embrace and promote them.

 “Women’s rights are intended to be promoted in the Bible and the Quran.” So, rather than leaving the knowledge here, let us carry it forward and teach our people,” he stated

Throughout the sessions, women’s rights champions and religious leaders engaged in peer-to-peer learning and sharing of experiences related to the promotion of women’s rights.