Agenda Item 5: Promotion of constructive interfaith dialogue, consultation and exchange Oral Statement by the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) 6th Session Forum on Minority Issues, 27th November 2013 Thank you Madam President. I am speaking on behalf of the Interfaith Encounter Association a member association of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), an international organisation of over 70 member associations of religious and faith based organisations working for freedom of religion or beliefs in over 30 countries. My intervention on this agenda item focuses on eight good practices of constructive interfaith dialogue, consultation and exchange that is taking place in the Middle East, specifically between Israel and Palestine. In 2012 alone, these projects have overall conducted 195 encounters and events, engaging over 4000 participants. The overarching aim of the Interfaith Encounters is “citizens building communities”, and the goal of the organisation is to develop “mini-communities” to exemplify the desired relations of mutual respect and friendship while respecting and reinforcing the unique identity of each community, acting as models for their surrounding communities of how multiple faiths can live side by side in peace. Positive examples of interfaith dialogue and exchange The highlights of Interfaith Encounters initiatives are: • Womens Interfaith Encounters and Youth Interfaith Encounters, where Muslim, Christian, Druze and Jewish women, or young adults come together, as minicommunities, to learn from the perspective of the different religions. Their study is used as a vehicle for understanding, acceptance and respect, and becomes a source of strength and empowerment whereby women can recognise shared struggles and shared values. • God’s Holy Mountain initiative, is an independent study project aiming to transform the Temple Mount, from a place of contention and strife, to one that is truly God’s Holy Mountain, a house of prayer for all people.