New York: Europe and the Arabs
What is the role of young religious leaders in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality? And how do they contribute to promoting common human values ​​and building more tolerant and peaceful societies? These questions and more were the focus of an event co-organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, on the sidelines of the Future Summit at the United Nations headquarters. According to the United Nations News Bulletin

The event was titled "Youth Responses from Different Religions to the Greatest Challenges of the Century: Contributions of Religious Institutions to the Future Summit" and was held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program, Religions for Peace, in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Gambia, and the Agency for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to the organizers, the event was a platform to explore how interfaith cooperation, with the participation of governments from around the world, can address critical global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality.
Youth in the Muslim World Suffer from Violence
In an interview with UN News, Taha Ayhan, President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, stressed that the Future Summit and the UN General Assembly meetings provide crucial opportunities for youth organizations to address pressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change and economic inequality. He highlighted the unique challenges facing youth in the Muslim world, including conflict and instability.
He noted that many conflict zones are in OIC member states, where youth bear the brunt of violence and instability, stressing the importance of youth playing an active role in finding solutions, despite facing barriers such as limited opportunities and participation in decision-making processes.
Taha Ayhan cited Gaza as an example, expressing his regret at the lack of serious measures to address the humanitarian crisis in the Strip, which he described as a “man-made disaster.” He noted that global youth, including those living in the Muslim world, share common challenges such as inadequate education and limited access to markets.
With nearly a billion young people under the age of 35 in the Muslim world, Mr. Taha Ayhan called for urgent action to provide education, opportunities and alleviate poverty. While acknowledging the current bleak situation, he expressed hope that ongoing initiatives would improve the future of Muslim youth and humanity as a whole.
Youth are crucial to fostering a peaceful world
In an interview with UN News, the Gambian Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Badjie, emphasized the crucial role of interfaith dialogue in promoting development and peace, highlighting the urgent need to engage youth and faith-based organizations to combat global religious violence and foster a peaceful world.
As the Future Summit aims to address issues that will affect future generations, including environmental challenges, climate change and conflict, Badjie emphasized the need to address issues affecting youth, such as violence and instability, especially in the context of sub-Saharan Africa, which he said is plagued by numerous conflicts. He stressed the importance of democratic values ​​and the use of religion as a tool for coexistence and peace.
The Gambian Minister emphasized the importance of empowering African youth through education. He urged young people to seek knowledge and take advantage of the opportunities offered by digital economies to improve their lives. Bakari Badji expressed optimism about the future, calling for youth participation in peacebuilding and development efforts.

Eliminating “Digital Structural Violence”
Hannah Block, representative of the Faith for Earth Youth Council of the United Nations Environment Programme, spoke about the role of young people in promoting climate and social action through the track on achieving a digital future for all, which is one of the five tracks on which the Future Summit focuses. She stressed the importance of integrating moral and spiritual values ​​into technological progress, noting that technology should enhance human flourishing rather than exacerbate inequalities.
Block said that technology affects 70% of the Sustainable Development Goals, making the role of young people, especially “digital natives”, crucial to achieving these goals. She spoke about what she described as the “digital structural violence” that our world is currently witnessing, referring to the gaps and disparities in the digital field between developed and developing societies. To combat this “digital structural violence,” Blok called for greater accessibility and inclusion in technology discussions, stressing the need for digital literacy training within religious communities to ensure marginalized voices are heard in policymaking. She emphasized the crucial role of religious leaders in bridging these gaps.
“No future without peace and coexistence among religions”
Ambassador Hameed Opeloyero, Permanent Observer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to the United Nations, told UN News that “there is no future without peace and coexistence among religions,” noting that such events are essential to mobilizing the energies of youth from all backgrounds, especially religious communities, who he said play a very important role in implementing development resolutions and goals.

To achieve these goals, Ambassador Hameed Opeloyero stressed the need to make efforts in various areas such as peace and security, legal migration, education and women’s development.
He also stressed the need to seek a solution to the Middle East issue, including the issue of Palestine and Muslim minorities in the world, saying that the OIC is making efforts in all these aspects. He also touched on the importance of South-South cooperation.

Eradicating Islamophobia

Speaking to UN News, Dr. Fadila Qrein, Senior Advisor to the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, said that speakers at the event stressed the need for human conscience to unite and lead us to peace, prosperity and sustainable development. She said that young people have a role to play in ending hate speech and Islamophobia and spreading the values ​​of peace and coexistence among religions, ideas and cultures. She added that human conscience should address all issues affecting young people, especially young people in areas such as Gaza and Yemen. She said that young people in the OIC region are being ravaged by wars. She continued: “As an Arab woman participating in the Future Summit, I feel very sad that I am leaving behind an Arab region that is suffering more than ever from war, devastation and destruction and from the danger that threatens the future of young people and children.” Dr. Fadhila Qurain stressed the need for the Future Summit to raise the voices of Arab youth and include them in the important decisions it will issue. She continued by saying: “I hope that the leaders participating in the Future Summit will not turn a blind eye to these deprived youth in the Arab region. I believe that Arab leaders will also participate strongly, and for the first time, the League of Arab States will meet with the Islamic group to convey important voices on the issue of Gaza, Palestine and thorny Arab issues. This makes me very proud.”

The role of spiritual values ​​in addressing global challenges
Mr. Francis Kuria Kajima, Secretary-General of the African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace, also spoke to UN News, stressing the importance of interfaith dialogue between youth in order to create a brighter future.

From the perspective of different religions and Christianity, he highlighted the need to recognize the integrity of humanity, including spiritual assets and virtues such as love, mercy and compassion. He stressed the importance of these qualities in order to enhance the well-being of individuals and promote shared prosperity.
Kajima called on young people to leverage these spiritual assets to collaboratively shape a prosperous future, emphasizing the role of spirituality in addressing global challenges and enhancing collective humanity.