Religious leaders from around the world convened in Kuala Lumpur on June 13 for the Third International Summit of Religious Leaders, urging the consolidation of ceasefires in global conflict zones and calling for sustainable peace efforts rooted in dialogue and mutual respect. The summit gathered approximately 1,500 participants, including scholars, policymakers, and community leaders from 31 countries, with Kuwait’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Rashid Mohammad Al-Saleh, among the attendees.

In the summit’s concluding communique, participants emphasized the urgent need to halt arms races, particularly those involving weapons of mass destruction, and advocated for the use of international mechanisms and peaceful legal channels to resolve escalating crises. The group expressed deep concern over recent tensions in the Middle East, highlighting economic ramifications and humanitarian consequences, especially the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The communique called on the global community to take responsibility for protecting civilians in compliance with international law and to put an end to ongoing violations.

The participants warned that accelerating global transformations, increasing polarization, extremism, and a pervasive sense of fear among younger generations necessitate balanced and prudent approaches grounded in shared human values. They stressed the importance of combating hate speech, racism, and extremism while expanding human partnerships and regional integration to foster societies embracing religious and cultural diversity. The goal, they said, is to uphold human dignity and transform differences into opportunities for cooperation and understanding.

Youth empowerment emerged as a central theme, described as both a civilizational demand and a strategic investment. The communique underscored the need to enhance intellectual resilience among young people, promote ethical values, develop skills, and responsibly leverage modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, while addressing their social and ideological risks.

Religious leaders reaffirmed the enduring role of religion as a foundation for ethical responsibility and a guiding force toward reform and sustainable development. The summit welcomed initiatives such as the Makkah Document and efforts to build bridges between Islamic schools of thought, viewing these as vital for promoting social peace and combating extremism.

Additionally, the summit announced the launch of a global award for religious diplomacy, supported by international organizations and the Muslim World League. This initiative aims to recognize individuals and institutions contributing significantly toward global peace, moderation, tolerance, coexistence, and conflict resolution.

Opening the event, Malaysia’s Deputy King Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah highlighted challenges facing youth in a world marked by conflict, displacement, economic uncertainty, digital polarization, and declining institutional trust. He cautioned that hate speech and extremism are increasingly transmitted to young people through algorithms and AI-driven misinformation, urging religious institutions to engage youth in accessible and relevant ways.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim observed that ceasefires frequently fail to endure, with military operations often continuing amid negotiations, pointing to what he described as a profound moral crisis in the international system. Citing ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon, he called for a more active role for religious leaders in defending moral and humanitarian values and influencing global decision-making.