Hundreds gathered for Bible event to discuss Africa's big challenges

Some 150 people from 20 African nations attended the fifth African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) conference in Lilongwe, Malawi, from September 15 to 18.

Around 500 people were present at the opening ceremony of the conference, which focuses on issues of leadership in Africa.

The President of Malawi, Mr Arthur Peter Mutharika, opened the forum. He was greeted by a fanfare of trumpeters and drummers as well as turquoise-clad dancers and drummers in the street.

The event was attended by Lord Paul Boateng, a member of the House of Lords and current moderator of ABLI. He was joined by James Catford and David Smith, from the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS).

“HOPE FOR A FUTURE IN AFRICA”

The President admitted that politicians had often failed Africans: “Our people are expecting so much and we promise so much, but unfortunately sometimes we are unable to deliver.”

The President of Malawi, Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika. / Bible Society, Clare Kendall

He said that the Arab Spring and the refugee crisis in Europe required African leaders to make “a change in the way we do business.”

According to Mutharika, Africa’s current conflicts have resulted in a lot of young men and women “fleeing our countries, seeking a better future elsewhere. (...) We must do all that we can in our respective countries to avoid the exodus of our people”, he added.

“In the light of the refugee crisis, it’s very meaningful for the President to acknowledge that African governments can do more to offer their young people hope for a future in Africa”, David Smith, Head of International Programme for BFBS, declared.

“CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS TO WORK TOGETHER”

On the second day of the forum, the main topic was the relationships with the Muslim community, and the impact Daesh (the so-called Islamic State) is having in Africa and all around the world.

“Muslims must stand up to extremist groups killing Christians in Africa, argued Ali Mustafa, Secretary General of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), because we have to deal with the misuse of Islam to justify violence against others, against Christians.”

Mustafa believed that Daesh, Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram not as religious-based groups, but as ‘bigoted individuals’. “Islam has been misinterpreted and misused to justify blood-letting!”, he said.

A youth discussion panel. / Bible Society, Clare Kendall

The solution, he added, was for “Christians and Muslims to work together”. “If we do not work together for peace, we will not get very far”, he concluded.

AFRICA'S ROLE IN THE REFUGEE CRISIS

Migration, corruption and relations between Christians and Muslims were top of the agenda in the closing ceremony of this fifth ABLI conference.

To close the event, Lord Paul Boateng, read from the final declaration that the 150-strong gathering had backed.

“We appeal to all African societies to welcome the strangers in their midst”, the statement said, “particularly migrants and refugees fleeing persecution. Equally, we challenge the oppressive regimes of this continent to respect the right to life, the rule of law, freedom of belief and freedom of speech”, it continued.

ABLI closing ceremony. / Bible Society, Clare Kendall

Regarding the Muslims, the declaration “offer our hand to the Muslim communities in our midst and say; we respect you, and we love you. So let there be no compulsion in religion, let each person follow their conviction and let us live in peace. “

“HIGHEST STANDARS OF BIBLICAL INTEGRITY”

The final declaration stressed the crucial role of the Bible “to be found the wisdom, guidance, inspiration and injunction to moral courage through which Africa can prosper.”

The members of ABLI, reaffirmed their “belief that the Bible has an important role to play in the Public, and not just private, life.”

The statement exhorted “all African Leaders to set an example for the next generation in both actions and words, and to offer a hopeful vision such that they are inspired to continue the job of building the Common Good in Africa”, and “call on the international community to stand with and not over Africa.”

“We commit ourselves to the highest standards of Biblical integrity. We refuse to be complicit in corruption in either personal or professional lives”, the ABLI forum declaration concluded.

You can see more pictures of the ABLI 2015 event here.