Representatives of religious leaders from Thailand attended the International Conference of Religious Leaders 2024, under the theme “Unity Within Diversity”, organized by the Government of Malaysia in collaboration with the Muslim World League (MWL) during 7 - 8 May 2024 at Sunway Resort Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

 

The Thai delegation, comprising 9 representatives from Islamic, Christian, Hindu, and Sikh religious organizations, namely the Sheikhul Islam Office of Thailand, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, the Church of Christ in Thailand, the Ramakrishana Vedanta Association of Thailand, the Namdhari Sangat of Thailand, was invited to the Conference. Mrs. Piyapin Niyomrerks, Minister of the Royal Thai Embassy, represented the Ambassador of Thailand to meet with the Thai delegation and participated in the Conference.

 

On 7 May 2024, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, presided over the opening ceremony. In his Inaugural Speech, he underlined the primary objective of the Conference in providing a platform for international religious leaders and experts to share perspectives and recommendations on ways to foster global peace. H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of MWL, underscored the significance of the Conference as a means to bridge religious and civilizational gaps, strengthen unity, and reduce conflicts, particularly amidst the current situation in Palestine.

 

During the session of Religious Leaders and Intellectuals Remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Priyakorn, Director of the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand & Academic Expert Committee, Sheikhul Islam Office, and Dr. Kittiphan Chaidee, Advisor to the Namdhari Sangat of Thailand, as representatives of Thai religious leaders, expressed gratitude to the monarchy’s contributions to Thai society, whereby successive Kings of Thailand have been the upholders of all religions, hence bringing peace and harmony under the royal benevolence.

 

The International Conference of Religious Leaders 2024, jointly organized by the Government of Malaysia and MWL for the first time, was well attended by over 2,000 participants from 57 countries.