The Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGO Malaysia (ACCIN Malaysia) and the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) successfully hosted the ‘International Interfaith Peace Conference (IIPC 2025) at the Bahang Bay Hotel in Penang on 13-14th September 2025. This year’s conference centered around the theme: Embracing Multicultural and Multi-Religious Unity Towards Peace and Harmony in a Troubled World. The event saw collaboration from various organizations including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Penang.
The Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow emphasized the importance of inter-faith dialogues and peacebuilding programs particularly involving civil and faith leaders, policymakers and communities. This call comes amid the rising global conflicts, including the genocide in Gaza, ongoing war in Ukraine, and recent unrest in Southeast Asia. CM Chow said, “Peace is not an abstract dream, but it is a daily practice rooted in justice, compassion, and shared responsibility”. The Chief Minister said that Penang is well-positioned to serve as a platform for interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives, thanks to the strong presence of civil society and NGOs in the state.
His Eminence Cardinal Dato’ Seri Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, graced the panel to discuss the theme: Imagine a World of Peace and Harmony: Is it a dream? Cardinal’s discourse reflected that dreams and visions are prompted by the Spirit of God, where in Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams”. Where there are no Vision/Dreams, people perish!
A Vision/Dream based on a Belief/Creed is the basis for outreach, creativity, inclusivity, bridge building and pure spirituality. This compels us – both individually and collectively – to extend our hands to victims of innocent suffering everywhere, the hungry, the thirsty, the unclothed, the stranger, the prisoner and the sick. Cardinal urged, “So dear people, imagine, dream, visualize and ‘turun padang” (go down to the ground) to achieve what was envisioned by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar - Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb in the Abu Dhabi Declaration 2019 - Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. Cardinal Sebastian concluded by quoting the African proverb, “When you pray, Move your feet”. A reminder that faith without action is incomplete.
Rev. Deacon Paul Kang of City Parish, presented on the topic ‘Achieving Peace and Harmony, by avoiding a zero-sum game in a Troubled World’: Deacon Paul delved into the quote by Mother Teresa - Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1979 “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other”. Deacon Paul also referenced Pope Francis who emphasized, “Peace is made with our hands, it is not only built by the powerful with their choices and their international treaties, but we too can build peace, in our homes, in the family, among neighbors, in our workplace and in the neighborhood, we live”. Paul concluded by introducing the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi – Prayer for Peace.
Also in attendance was Qatar’s Ambassador to Malaysia His Excellency Salah Mohammed Al-Sorour, DICID Board of Directors Chairman H.H Prof. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi, Special Representative of the Foreign Minister on Peace Building and Countering Islamophobia – Dato’ Dr. Abdul Razak Ahmad.
ACCIN Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Ir. Mohd Jamaludin Shamsudin expressed his hope that the message of interfaith harmony and the universal desire for peace would reach ordinary people through this conference. Further efforts must be taken to organize conferences and youth training program in schools, universities and communities. Additionally, he advocated promoting site visits to different places of worship to foster mutual understanding. Mohd Jamaludin highlighted that the IIPC 2025 conference marks the 4th edition and the first to be held outside the Klang Valley. There are plans to host the next conference edition in Kuching, Sarawak.
By Christopher Kushi
