UPDATED

Melaka, 09 August 2026

More than 200 religious leaders, academics, policymakers, youth representatives and civil society figures from Malaysia and several countries gathered in Melaka for the International Interfaith Peace Conference (IIPC) 2026, calling for greater understanding, mutual respect and practical cooperation among people of different faiths and cultures.

The fifth edition of the conference was held under the theme, “Melaka and Malaysia as a Meeting Point of Faith, Culture, Diversity and Harmony Towards Cohesive Nation Building.” It was organised by the Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGOs Malaysia (Accin), in collaboration with the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) and Malaysia’s National Unity Ministry.

The conference was officially opened by Melaka Governor Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam, with National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and Accin chief executive officer and IIPC 2026 chairman Ir Mohd Jamaludin Shamsudin among those attending.

Jamaludin said the choice of Melaka was particularly meaningful given its long history as a meeting point of civilisations, cultures, religions and international trade. For more than six centuries, he noted, Melaka had demonstrated that communities with different identities and beliefs could live together peacefully.

He described the state’s multicultural heritage not only as a source of pride for Malaysia but also as an example that could offer valuable lessons to the wider world at a time when societies were facing increasing divisions and conflicts.

The conference brought together around 20 international speakers and panellists from Qatar, Australia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and other ASEAN countries. Discussions focused on transforming interfaith dialogue from an academic exercise into a practical mechanism for building trust, addressing misconceptions, reducing prejudice and strengthening cooperation between communities.

Aaron emphasised that diversity should be regarded as a strength rather than a source of division. He stressed that interfaith dialogue was not intended to alter anyone’s religious beliefs or create uniformity, but rather to encourage people of different faiths to understand and respect one another while remaining committed to their own principles.

DICID participated as a principal organising partner for the second consecutive year, following its involvement in the 2025 conference in Penang. Its continued engagement reflects Qatar’s broader commitment to promoting international dialogue and understanding among different religious and cultural communities.

DICID Chairman of the Board Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi said the Centre’s expanding partnerships across Asia, Europe and the Americas reflected its belief in dialogue as an important instrument for peacebuilding.

The conference also placed particular emphasis on young people as potential bridge-builders between communities. Participants explored shared values, stronger cooperation and practical recommendations aimed at promoting sustainable peace and cohesive societies.

The Melaka gathering ultimately reinforced a simple but important message: meaningful dialogue is not merely about conversation among religious leaders, but about building trust and creating conditions in which diverse communities can live together with greater respect, confidence and understanding.