Politics · Saudi Arabia · 4 hrs ago
Al-Issa urges religious leaders to counter polarisation at G20 forum
Muslim World League Secretary-General Muhammad Al-Issa addressed the G20 Religion Forum in Utah, held alongside the G20 summit in the United States.
Religious leaders and their representatives attended the forum, which discussed how faith can support peace and social cohesion.
Al-Issa warned that polarisation and incitement can use distorted religious messages to encourage violence.
He said religious leaders have a special responsibility to challenge these risks.
The Muslim World League has worked to build understanding between peoples, including through a 2023 conference at the United Nations in New York.
That conference focused on cooperation between East and West, and Al-Issa said work is continuing to carry out its recommendations.
He also pointed to humanitarian initiatives with international organisations and a first-ever World Economic Forum dialogue on religion’s role in global issues.
Mohammed Al-Issa urged religious leaders to help counter polarisation and promote global peace at the G20 Religion Forum in Utah.
He warned that polarisation, incitement and violence often prompt distorted religious discourse.
The forum brought together religious leaders and their representatives as the G20 summit took place in the United States.
Al-Issa highlighted the Muslim World League’s work to build understanding and cooperation between East and West.
He said religious diplomacy should be active in addressing international issues.
- Who
- Mohammed Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and head of the Association of Muslim Scholars, spoke at the forum.
- What
- He urged religious leaders to counter polarisation and discussed the role of religions in supporting peace and social cohesion.
- When
- In 2026, during the G20 summit in the United States.
- Where
- Utah, United States.
- Why
- Al-Issa said religious leaders have a special responsibility because polarisation, incitement and violence often prompt distorted religious discourse.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Muslim World League conference on building understanding and cooperation between East and West was held at United Nations headquarters in New York.
The G20 Religion Forum took place in Utah alongside the G20 summit in the United States.
- Forum location
- Utah, United States
- Forum speaker
- Mohammed Al-Issa
- Forum context
- Held alongside the G20 summit
- UN conference
- Held in New York in 2023
- Forum focus
- Religion’s role in global peace and social cohesion
What people are saying
Religious leaders bear a special responsibility, because the concepts of polarisation, incitement and violence often call for distorted religious discourse
This reflects the belief in the importance of religious diplomacy being present and active