SUBANG JAYA: Architects of Diversity (AOD) recently gathered 45 youths from various religious groups for the first Interfaith Youth Alliance (IYA) Gathering.
The one-day event here aimed to connect youth and interfaith leaders from different backgrounds, fostering a community for productive discussions on interfaith issues.
“The Interfaith Youth Alliance (IYA) is a platform to connect and empower youth from diverse backgrounds to promote interfaith harmony in Malaysia,” AOD said in a statement.
The gathering included youth representatives from various religious organisations such as Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM), Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM), and Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM), among others.
“The Gathering invited youth leaders and members of religious organisations as a new initiative to build bridges between groups that otherwise would have few opportunities to network and know each other. In the wake of rising religious tensions after the KKMart row and petrol bombings across Malaysia, the Gathering is a symbol of resistance to conflict and extremist narratives.
“It was a great platform to connect with fellow young people passionate about interfaith dialogue and positive change in Malaysia,” it added.
For media queries and interviews, contact AOD Programmes senior associate Awang Ilham at 013-2221548 or AOD Executive Director Jason Wee at 014-3186370.
