Korean religious groups seek to dispel Islam fears

An interfaith group in South Korea organized a seminar to help people clear misconceptions about Islam, including wearing the hijab, to forge better ties with the minority faith in the country.

The Korean Religious Peace Conference held a public seminar on the dialogue between Korean religions and Islam titled “Islam: Approaching Peaceful Coexistence and Future” from Dec. 5-6 in the capital Seoul, the Catholic Times reported on Dec. 7.

In his opening address, Kim Dong-eok, president of the Korean Muslim Association, emphasized that Islam is a “religion of peace.”

“There are people who misunderstand the true meaning of Islam in Korean society. I hope that many people will understand and cooperate with Korean Islam through this seminar,” said Kim.

The interfaith event was established in 1965 by leaders of six religious groups with an aim to promote dialogue and harmony among followers of various religions.

Muslims in South Korea are estimated to number around 200,000, or 0.4 percent of the 51.7 million population, according to the Korean Muslim Federation.