JISRA and SUPKEM Hosts Workshop to Promote Freedom of Religion, Interfaith Peace, and National Dialogue- July 31,2025. By Urban Shihemi, August 1, 2025 The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA), in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), held a two-day stakeholders’ workshop in Nairobi bringing together religious leaders, civil society actors, and youth representatives from across the country. The workshop, which concluded yesterday, focused on promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), strengthening interfaith peace, and advancing national dialogue at a time when Kenya continues to grapple with issues of social polarization and political tension. The event drew participation from religious leaders representing all of Kenya’s 47 counties, underscoring the national scope and urgency of the initiative. Ali Ibrahim, the Acting Chairman of SUPKEM – Nairobi region, emphasized the unity and inclusivity fostered by the workshop. “This gathering has brought together voices from every corner of our nation, Muslims, Christians, Hindus among other leaders united in the belief that our diversity is our strength. We are here to explore ways to unite the country and ensure that no Kenyan is marginalized based on faith or background,” he said. Alice Wangari, Executive Director of the Blue Lotus Dialogue Forum, praised the event for going beyond rhetoric and pushing for tangible outcomes. “This workshop was not just about dialogue, it was about meaningful and solution-driven dialogue,” she noted. “We need to move beyond talking and start building frameworks that allow people to express themselves and find solutions to the problems they are facing.” Several speakers at the workshop called for an intergenerational dialogue, stressing the need to include youth voices in shaping Kenya’s national discourse. With the majority of Kenya’s population under 35, leaders said youth must be actively involved in crafting solutions to issues like religious intolerance, political instability, and economic exclusion. The JISRA programme continues to work across multiple counties in Kenya to support faith-based actors in promoting tolerance and dialogue as tools for peacebuilding.