Engaging Faith Scholars to Promote Tolerance

From February 15, 2018, to July 14, 2018, the Masjid Council for Community Advancement (MACCA), in collaboration with USAID’s Obirodh: Road to Tolerance Program, united 240 faith scholars and professionals from Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Adivasi, and other communities across all 8 divisions of Bangladesh. This initiative addressed growing social polarization by empowering faith leaders to champion tolerance and counter communal discord.

Key Activities

• Organized 8 divisional workshops in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh (spelling corrected) to identify faith leaders’ roles in combating intolerance.
• Facilitated interfaith dialogues to design actionable strategies, such as community-led peace pledges and youth mentorship programs.
• Ensured 35% female participation to amplify women’s voices in religious and social leadership.

Impact

The project fostered unprecedented collaboration:

• 15 joint interfaith initiatives were launched, including cultural festivals and crisis mediation teams.
• 85% of participants reported improved trust and coordination with leaders from other faiths.
• Faith scholars in Sylhet and Rangpur partnered to resolve 12 local disputes rooted in religious misunderstandings.

“Diversity is our strength; dialogue is our tool. Together, we can silence hatred.”
– A Hindu Faith Leader Participant

Partner with Us

To support interfaith harmony initiatives, contact MACCA at +8801733-067253.