DELAL REMEZAN

Hasakah- The Democratic Islamic Congress held the 2nd International Conference of Religions and Beliefs of Mesopotamia in Hasakah. On the first day of the conference held with the motto, “We spread human values with the fraternity of religions” on July 9, the participants discussed many issues such as the foundations of fraternity, the role of religions and sects in fraternity, the role of women in strengthening fraternity, the difficulties faced by women in some sects and the effect of customs and traditions.

On the second day of the conference, the participants discussed the active role of religion in the solution of social problems, the role of media in strengthening fraternity of religious groups, solutions and suggestions for the consolidation of fraternity and the role of women in the solution process.

At the conference, NuJINHA spoke to Aliya Al-Musa, one of the women attending the conference who is a Shia Muslim in North and East Syria.

‘We want all sects to unite based on fraternity’

Aliya Al-Musa told us that many people from other countries attended the conference. “Many issues have been discussed at the conference such as the role of women and young people in building fraternity and how to promote the status of women in religions and beliefs. Many women have been participating in the conference. People from all religions and beliefs have been attending the conference. They have shared their ideas with each other. We want all sects to unite based on fraternity. For example, killing of women and children is prohibited in Islam.”

‘We have learned many things about different beliefs’

Syrian activist Rehab İbrahim told NuJINHA that she decided to attend the conference because she “believes in the influence of religion in the Middle East.”

“We have learned many things about different beliefs and sects. Women attending the conference impress me. I am interested in the spaces of women in religions and beliefs and how they treat women. The patriarchal mindset has been trying to oppress women for thousands of years. It uses different ways and methods to oppress women. We say women are not one half of society, women are the entire society. Yes, women make up one half of society and they educate the other half. Therefore, the role of women in society cannot be ignored.”