Skip to main content

Religion and policy collide in Saudi-hosted interfaith forum

The G-20 interfaith forum will be virtually hosted by Riyadh this year, while the kingdom faces mounting criticism for human rights violations and religious persecution.
Unidentified guests attend a meeting of Finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 nations in the Saudi capital Riyadh on February 23, 2020. - The deadly coronavirus epidemic will dent global growth, the IMF warned, as G20 finance ministers and central bank governors weighed its economic ripple effects at a two-day gathering in Riyadh. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia is presiding over a global forum this week that marries faith and policy and invites religious representatives to address the coronavirus pandemic, inequality, climate change and other societal challenges. The event began Oct. 13 and welcomes Christian priests, Muslim clerics, Jewish rabbis and other religious figures to a virtual space that is hosted as part of the kingdom’s yearlong presidency of the Group of 20 (G-20).

“The potential of religious communities as a partner for policymakers often goes unrecognized,” said Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muaammar, secretary-general of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, in a statement.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.