Bridging Divides: Social Cohesion in Polarised Times

Sheikh Al Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah is the current serving Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace. For the past 10 years, he has also worked under the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. A seasoned diplomat, he has been instrumental in establishing the Forum’s flagship programmes including the Marrakech Declaration, the New Alliance of Virtue, and the Charter for Inclusive Citizenship in Arab countries.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Sheikh Al Mahfoudh joined the first group of religious leaders to meet President Bush at the White House, after which he participated in several international training programs and conferences focused on countering violent extremism. He also played a pivotal role in the formative years of the establishment of Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts College in the US.

Adam Kelwick is a Muslim Chaplain and Humanitarian from Liverpool. He is a keen traveller and has been blessed to travel to almost 100 countries. He was formerly Muslim Chaplain to the High Sheriff of Merseyside and Merseyside Police and is often engaged as an international speaker and mentor teaching a variety of subjects with focus on spreading peace and promoting living in harmony with others.
He achieved national prominence in August 2024 in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings. Hostile crowds gathered outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool, where Adam is one of the Imams, but once the situation had calmed, Adam Kelwick and other worshippers took food to those present. Images of ‘beautiful interactions’ between Muslims and protesters went viral. Kelwick subsequently received a Beacon Mosque Award for his actions and was invited by the Prime Minister to lead prayers at an Iftar event for young, talented Muslims at no 10 Downing Street.
Since last summer, he has dedicated much of his time reaching out to different parts of society, including many of those who attended the summer riots, with the focus being on listening to each other, learning about each other and building friendships.