Recent statistics estimate that, by 2050, the youth population in Africa, already the largest in the world, will double to nearly a billion people, accounting for more than 75 per cent of those under the age of 35. This buzzing youthful population is undoubtedly a great asset as it is capable of spurring the continent to realise the Agenda 2063 of “The Africa We Want” as set out by the African Union, thanks to their energy, innovativeness and creativity. However, on the other hand, it is also a population that, if not well managed, can plunge the continent into an unprecedented situation that could potentially harm the entire society. This is primarily attributed to the fact that the youth remain a population that is mainly vulnerable to manipulation by elements seeking to cause harm, such as those driving narratives that seek to divide people along religious lines.

With such a large population of active but vulnerable young people, supportive and proactive programmes and policies on inclusive youth development and engagement on issues affecting society today, like religious intolerance, are critical now more than ever to help shape the youth in Africa and mould them into ambassadors of peace, peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance.

In Western Kenya, for instance, a region that is known for its religious and cultural diversity, there has been growing tension, suspicion and mistrust, particularly between the various religious communities that call this region home, including Christians, Muslims and African Traditional Religions (ATRs). This is manifested mainly among young people as they grapple with accepting the religious other – a call for intervention to help turn around the situation and mould them into ambassadors of peace, peaceful coexistence, and constructive Christian-Muslim Relations in the region. That is precisely what PROCMURA has embarked on in its three-year programme in Western Kenya in partnership with the United Society Partners in the Gospel and Mission EinWelt, starting with the launch of the PROCMURA Western Kenya Youth Forum.

_{A section of the youth engaging in outdoor activities during the launch of the PROCMURA Western Kenya Youth Forum.} 

The forum, which was launched during an inspiring three-day youth training in Western Kenya that brought together religious leaders and youth leaders from sixteen churches, sixteen Mosques, five institutions of higher learning, and several community-based organisations, will provide a platform for the young people to champion the cause of religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony with a keen focus among the young people at the community levels.

_{Rev. Winny Metto, PROCMURA Youth Coordinator, in one of the indoor sessions during the training.} 

While reiterating the need and importance of equipping young people with the right and necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude if we are to have a community that respects the faith and rights of one another, the Team Leader of PROCMURA Ms. Joy Wandabwa, noted that the youth, being the future of Africa, sit central to PROCMURA’s Vision of seeing a continent where Christian and Muslim communities in spite of their differences, work together for justice, peace and reconciliation, towards the holistic development of the human family and the environment.

_{Ms. Joy Wandabwa, PROCMURA Team Leader, facilitating a session.} 

The training, facilitated by renowned religious leaders, scholars, and government officials, provided an invaluable space for youth leaders to engage in in-depth discussions on the essence of religious tolerance, the role of youth in mitigating religious tensions, advocating for interfaith harmony at the community level and drawing an actionable action plan that will guide the activities of the newly formed Youth Forum going forward.

Sheikh Malik Muhammad Kipsang, the Chief Imam of the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) in Western Kenya and an Imam at the Tawhid Mosque in Bungoma, called on the youth leaders to be agents of peace and interfaith harmony in their respective communities, noting that Christianity and Islam will exist until the end of time.

_{Sheikh Malik Muhammad Kipsang, the Chief Imam of the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) in Western Kenya, addressing the media on the side-lines of the training. He also facilitated the training and officially commissioned the Youth Ambassadors under the PROCMURA Western Kenya Youth Forum.} 

This approach by PROCMURA - targeting young people at the grassroots to advocate for interfaith harmony in communities where religious intolerance is cropping up, is the best I have ever seen. We share the same continent, the same country, and the same village. We need one another. Let nobody lie to you; Christianity, just like Islam, is not going anywhere. So, we need to coexist in this space that God has given us. We have more that brings us together than divides us,” Sheikh Malik, who also facilitated the training and officially commissioned the PROCMURA Western Kenya Youth Forum, noted in an interview with the PROCMURA Communication team.

As the PROCMURA Youth Coordinator, Rev. Winny Metto, noted, the decision to engage youth leaders at the community level is deliberate because they have influence within their different spaces. They can easily use their spheres of influence to effectively train other young people by passing down the knowledge and skills they will get from the programme.

_{Rev. Winny leading some of the activities during the team building session.} 

Rev. Dr. John Peter Bwire, a lecturer at Kenyatta University in Kenya and one of the religious leaders who facilitated the launch of the programme, also added his voice, rallying the youth leaders behind the call to be ambassadors of religious harmony, irrespective of their religious affiliations. While emphasising that Christianity stands for love and Islam for peace, Rev. Dr. Bwire called on religious leaders to guide and empower young men and women in their churches and mosques with sound religious morals, thereby carrying forward the torch of religious tolerance in society.

_{Rev. Dr. John Peter Bwire, a lecturer at Kenyatta University in Kenya, interacting with the youth during his presentation.} 

The interactive sessions during the training, which marked the beginning of the three-year programme, allowed participants to share personal experiences and perspectives, fostering a spirit of mutual understanding in an environment initially marked by myths and misconceptions about the religious other. Many participants shared how the training shifted their perspectives and deepened their understanding of coexistence and Christian-Muslim relations.

_{A section of the youth reacting to a point.}

Simiyu Hillary, a Christian youth leader who confessed that it was his first time attending such a forum, noted, “I came here with preconceived notions about religious differences. I didn’t have even a single Muslim in my phone contact list, but I am leaving with a new perspective. We are more alike than different, and celebrating our differences is the key to understanding. Unlike when I came here, I’ve now made friends with my Muslim brothers and sisters.”

_{Simiyu Hillary, a Christian youth leader, fielding questions from reporters.}

Additionally, Mohamed Juma, a Muslim youth leader, shared how the programme would influence their work as a Youth Forum, bringing young people from across religious divides at the community level: “I now feel equipped to promote religious tolerance, mediate religious conflicts, and foster unity among young people. This forum has given me the confidence to promote peace and peaceful coexistence in my hometown.”

_{Mohamed Juma, a Muslim youth leader, making a presentation on behalf of his group after a breakaway assignment.}  

Beyond theoretical discussions, the programme included team-building sessions and hands-on activities to prepare the youth leaders for real-world advocacy. Role-playing exercises simulated conflict resolution scenarios, and group projects encouraged interfaith collaboration, with the youth working together to develop community-based initiatives and approaches that promote religious harmony.

_{The youth enjoying team building activities.} 

On behalf of the more than 120 youth leaders, Pheobe Kitutu, one of the leaders elected to steer the PROCMURA Western Kenya Youth Forum, reaffirmed their unreserved commitment to being active proponents of religious tolerance in their various communities. They committed to launching grassroots initiatives to build lasting religious tolerance in their communities and using their voices to counter divisive narratives. They also pledged to use the forum to reach out to and work closely with religious and community leaders to create the lasting change they desire in the Western Kenya region.

_{Pheobe Kitutu, one of the PROCMURA Western Kenya Youth Forum leaders, receiving a certificate of participation from Sheikh Malik.} 

Their commitment to promoting religious tolerance and constructive, healthy Christian-Muslim relations is a testament to PROCMURA’s endeavour to work with young people around Africa to build a more peaceful world where no one is judged or discriminated against based on their choice of religion.

Follow this link to watch the full documentary on this programme.