UPF Interfaith Meeting Calls for Unity and Religious Freedom
- khwang562
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 24
Seoul, South Korea – From August 5 to 8, 2025, the Universal Peace Federation hosted the Interfaith Leadership Conference under the theme “Religious Freedom and Universal Values” at the Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, South Korea. This gathering brought together more than 250 religious leaders from South Korea and abroad, including 65 delegates from the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. Among them were archbishops, bishops, pastors, and interfaith leaders representing a broad range of spiritual traditions and regions.
The conference was the first of a series of gatherings scheduled to be held twice a month through December, with an expected participation of over 4,000 global faith leaders. Together, they committed to defending the sacred principles of religious liberty and spiritual dignity that bind all humanity.
Dr. Tageldin Hamad, president of UPF, addressed the conference with the following reflections:
“The 2025 Interfaith Leadership Conference held in Korea was, for me, a moment of urgent moral clarity. As president of the Universal Peace Federation, I was deeply moved to welcome religious leaders and policymakers from around the world in response to a growing concern we all share: the erosion of religious freedom and spiritual values.
“I was honored to stand with our interreligious partners. Alongside the Universal Peace Federation, the organizers of the conference are the American Clergy Leadership Conference, the World Christian Leadership Conference, the Korean Clergy Leadership Conference, and the Korean Religious Association. Together with more than 80 international faith leaders and 250 Korean civic and spiritual representatives, we affirmed the Declaration of the 2025 Conference for World Religious Leaders.
“Across continents I see that people of faith are increasingly facing censorship, marginalization, and ideological suppression. The flame of religious liberty, once bright and unwavering, is flickering. I believe the time has come not to retreat in silence, but to rise in shared purpose and courage. This conference was not merely a ceremonial event. It was a declaration that sacred truths must not be erased, that spiritual heritage cannot be redefined for political or ideological convenience. We must not allow the global conscience to grow numb or silent in the face of hostility toward religion.
“Religious freedom is not a political privilege. It is a God-given right, essential to the dignity of every person. People of faith are not the problem; we are indispensable to the solution. I have seen that when religion is suppressed, the conscience of democracy is also weakened. The foundations of justice and freedom are shaken.
“At UPF, we hold that moral leadership does not arise from status or strength, but from reverence, humility, and the willingness to listen. I am convinced that the strength to forgive, the courage to love, and the humility to learn form the true pillars of peace. I offered my deepest appreciation to those who have spoken the truth when it was dangerous to do so, and to communities that have remained steadfast under pressure. Their courage lights the path forward for all of us.
“As one whose life has been transformed by the teachings and example of our founders, Dr. Hak Ja Han and the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, I feel a deep personal sorrow that Dr. Hak Ja Han has not always received the honor and recognition her contributions deserve. In a time when the feminine dimension of leadership is more essential than ever, we must acknowledge her unparalleled impact with sincerity and repentance.”
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to mobilize. Participants left resolved to defend truth, protect religious communities, and lead the world toward a future grounded in spiritual integrity and peace centered on God. They affirmed that sacred values must not be traded for convenience; faith must not be silenced. This declaration is a call to action. Let the world hear it clearly: “We are one family under God, and we must rise together for the sake of that sacred bond.”
The work of this conference is only beginning. As these gatherings continue in the months ahead, UPF invites all religious leaders, believers, and people of conscience to join this movement for truth, dignity, and peace. Let us be unwavering in our faith, unrelenting in our solidarity, and united in spirit, for the sake of future generations and the sacred values that sustain our shared humanity.
