Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Holds Annual Gathering in Haifa, Emphasizing Coexistence

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community convened its 29th annual gathering in Haifa on Thursday and Friday, drawing prominent figures including Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, religious leaders, academics, Knesset members, former mayors, and cultural and social activists. The event also hosted ambassadors and international guests. The second day featured a delegation from Jordan, led by the community's head in the Hashemite Kingdom, Mr. Ghanem Ghanem, and a large delegation from the West Bank.

The gathering's theme was "The Medina Charter Model, Between Prophet Muhammad and the Jews," focusing on its relevance to coexistence, inter-community relations, shared responsibility, and the role of religion in peacebuilding. The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the Holy Land, Muhammad Sharif Odeh, delivered a speech highlighting peace, justice, and coexistence, and how the Medina Charter's principles can foster Muslim-Jewish relations and strengthen diverse societies. He emphasized four core principles: sustainable peace is not imposed by force, religion is not a tool for coercion, human sanctity precedes stone sanctity, and attachment to land is both a right and a moral responsibility.

President Herzog addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of interfaith meetings and commending the Ahmadiyya community's promotion of peace, tolerance, and Jewish-Islamic dialogue based on respect. He expressed hope that the world could witness such a gathering promoting love, brotherhood, and peace. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav described Haifa as a place that "lives coexistence" rather than just talks about it. Other speakers, including India's Ambassador to Israel and Professor Shimon Shetreet, discussed interfaith dialogue, mutual respect, and the components of a culture of peace.

A panel discussion titled "From Faith to Shared Responsibility, The Role of Religion in Peacebuilding" included religious leaders from various faiths, who discussed how deep religious commitment can foster recognition of the other, self-restraint, compassion, and respect for human life, even amidst conflict. They also addressed the responsibility of religious leaders and the role of education and dialogue in translating peace principles into practice.

Pre-conference workshops explored topics such as "From the Medina Charter to a Civil Charter of Shared Responsibility" and "From Disagreement to Dialogue, How Do We Stay Together Even When We Disagree?" These sessions provided a platform for open dialogue on identity, power imbalances, differing narratives, and the role of media in shaping intergroup perceptions, either through fostering fear or building bridges.

The gathering concluded with prayers and a final session where the Amir and other speakers addressed the community. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community affirmed that invoking the Medina Charter was not to present a literal historical model but to stimulate thought on principles for managing differences and building a society based on justice, respect, and shared responsibility. They stressed that coexistence does not require agreement on all issues but a framework of rules and principles allowing for disagreement without escalating into confrontation.