Beirut, Lebanon—UPF-Lebanon, under the auspices of UPF’s Interreligious Association for Peace and Development, held a meeting of 15 clergy leaders.

The meeting took place at the Palm Beach Hotel on September 16, 2023.

UPF-Lebanon President Thomas Schellen gave the welcoming remarks. Then each of the religious leaders offered their thoughts about the importance of interreligious harmony and the ways in which their Holy Scripture can serve as a basis for peace.

Sheikh Al Kotaa, an imam from Dar al-Fatwa, Lebanon’s Sunni authority, spoke about Islam’s perspective on peace.

Then Sheikh Sohip Alhapli offered some readings from Love and Peace, a book of quotes from UPF founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon that have been translated into Arabic.

After the clergy leaders spoke, Umberto Angelucci, the UPF Middle East regional chairman, spoke about Reverend Moon’s efforts to promote interreligious harmony as the foundation for peace.

The IAPD meeting concluded with a pleasant lunch.