The conference was held as part of the 8th General Assembly of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace under the theme “Hate Speech and Violence: The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Nation-Building.” The Interfaith Code of Conduct provides a shared, values-based approach to preventing hate speech, promoting responsible religious leadership, strengthening peaceful coexistence, and supporting national cohesion. It responds to the religious, ethnic, political, and social tensions affecting communities and public institutions across Nigeria. Convened by the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, in collaboration with the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID, the conference brought together religious leaders, such as H.E. Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, CFR, Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and Most Rev. Dr Daniel Okoh, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, peacebuilding actors, government representatives, civil society, journalists, as well as women and youth representatives from several communities. The Interfaith Code of Conduct, launched in Abuja on 23 August 2023 through the collaboration of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) and KAICIID, provides important, shared principles for dialogue, mutual respect, peace and peaceful coexistence. Rev. Dr Ibrahim Yusuf Wushishi, World Council of Churches programme executive for Peacebuilding in Africa and coordinator of the WCC Africa Regional Programme Office in Abuja, Nigeria, represented the WCC at the conference. “The launch of the Interfaith Code of Conduct gave me three important personal lessons,” he said. "First, interfaith engagement must be built on mutual respect, love and human dignity.” Wushishi noted that, although we belong to different religious traditions, we share a common humanity and can work together to promote peace. “Second, religious leaders have a personal responsibility to promote peace and reject hate speech,” he said. “Our words and actions can either heal or deepen divisions.” Wushishi urged people to speak responsibly, avoid religious and ethnic stereotypes, and promote mutual understanding. “Third, dialogue must go beyond meetings and lead to practical cooperation,” he said. “Genuine interfaith engagement requires building relationships, listening to one another, addressing tensions early, and working together to promote peaceful coexistence in our communities.” Integrated into the Abuja Peace Conference, the urgent need for both state and non-state actors to address hate speech and violence as threats to peace was the main topic of discussion. With the role of collaboration among religious leaders to achieve democratic consolidation and nation-building, being touted as a key path to harmony among communities. The Peace Conference included a panel discussion on the current Nigerian context and the practical application of the Interfaith Code of Conduct in responding to division, harmful narratives, and conflict risks. Developed through a Nigerian-led interfaith process in collaboration with KAICIID, the code sets out ten core values for Christian and Muslim engagement: mutual love and respect, protection of the sacred, human dignity, prevention of hate speech and blasphemy, peaceful conflict resolution, justice, integrity and ethical conduct, transparency and accountability, respect for lawful authority, and compassion and empathy. “For us at KAICIID, this moment is deeply meaningful. Since the establishment of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace back in 2015, we have been privileged to accompany and be part of the journey Nigerian religious leaders have been doing as they continue to demonstrate that dialogue is courage,” stated Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro, acting secretary general at KAICIID. KAIDIID: Interfaith Code of Conduct, Nigeria | 
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