Morocco’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, met, here Wednesday, with a delegation from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Peace, to explore enhanced collaboration in managing religious affairs, which both sides see as crucial to promoting peace and combating extremism.
Cooperation between Morocco and Ethiopia in the religious sphere is an efficient lever for bolstering international peace and promoting dialogue between religious, Toufiq told the press.
He also reaffirmed Morocco’s stance on partnering with other nations for peace and security.
Ethiopia’s Minister Delegate for the Ministry of Peace, Kairedin Tezera Adera, praised Morocco’s model of Islam, which emphasizes moderation, peace and tolerance, values shared by all religions. He also spoke of the good ties between the two nations.
Kairedin stressed the importance of religious leaders, particularly the Ulema, in fostering dialogue between different faith communities and countering violence and extremism. He noted that during their visit, the Ethiopian delegation was able to witness firsthand the values of moderation and tolerance deeply embedded in Moroccan society.
For his part, Sheikh Haji Ibrahim Tufa, President of the Ethiopian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, commended Morocco’s status as a peaceful nation known for its longstanding tradition of Quranic scholarship. He lauded the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema for its efforts in uniting Muslim communities across the continent.
Philipos Achagere, representing the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of religion in promoting peace, calling for greater collaboration between African nations to strengthen the human values of tolerance, coexistence and justice.