Cabo Verde Conference organizes the 1st Forum on Religious Liberty

Posted on Juin 02 2025

Cabo Verde Conference organizes the 1st Forum on Religious Liberty

[Photo: Dr José Maria Neve_President of the Republic of Cabo Verde]
 On May 24 and 25, 2025, the Main Hall of the National Assembly, in Praia, was the stage for the 1st Cape Verdean Forum on Religious Freedom. This national event was an initiative of the Department of Religious Freedom of the Cabo Verde Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Churches.

[Ps Natalino Martins, President of Cabo Verde Conference]
[Speakers of the Forum]
The event was opened by His Excellency Dr. José Maria Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde. He was welcomed by pastors Daniel Njock, president of Western Sahel Union Mission and Natalino Martins, president of Cabo Verde Conference as well by a unit of Pathfinders Clubs. 
This unprecedented event in the country, organized within the scope of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of National Independence and the 90th anniversary of the Adventist presence in Cape Verde, was a meeting point for State ministers, religious leaders, representatives of public institutions, university students and researchers, legal experts, representatives of NGOs, journalists, business people and HR managers, and others interested in the topic.
[Pathfinders at the Forum]
[Leaders]
Its main objective was to encourage reflection and in-depth debate on religious freedom, understood not only as a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, but also as a natural right inherent to human beings, bequeathed by God, essential for the promotion of peaceful and harmonious coexistence in society.
The turnout was truly remarkable: on the first day of the event, there were more than 600 in-person participants and 1,1 thousand views on YouTube.  Even more impressive was the diversity of beliefs and perspectives represented. The Forum was honored to have participants from many religious denominations and schools of thought, including Muslims, Seventh-day Adventists, Assemblies of God, Roman Catholic Apostolic, Spiritists, Bahai Faith, Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nazarene, New Apostolic, Christian Rationalism, Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as Atheists/Agnostics, Baptists and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. This diversity profoundly enriched the discussions and deepened inter-religious understanding.



















[Group of Pathfinders offer gifts to the President of Republic]

In his speech pastor Daniel Njock, president of Western Sahel Union Mission, stated that "we must have a look of grace beyond our religious differences. It is necessary to recognize the reality that unites us, even though we are different in the way we think and in the way we live our faith." He thanked the Cabo Verdean authorities for the Religious Liberty believers enjoy in the country, for the respect of human rights and invited the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde to exercise advocacy for Religious Liberty in his meetings with his pairs. He also expressed his appreciation for the active presence of the Muslim community, praising the quality of their interventions and the concern shown regarding Religious Freedom. "I congratulate you on your presence and ask God to bless you," he declared.

[Forum audience]
[Muslim ladies at the Forum]
Pastor Natalino Martins, president of Cabo Verde Conference, highlighted that "this Forum was just the first step, but it already leaves a solid foundation and increased responsibilities for all those involved, churches, State and civil society in promoting Religious Freedom”. 

By Guilherme Lima,
Communication Director, Cabo Verde Conference.

Video links:

1-    Forum opening: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZLfpyltvNuY?si=6aSL73p2ss8h4pbh
2-    Interview of the director of the Religious Liberty department of Cabo Verde Conference to TVA, a private TV Station in Cabo Vede: https://www.facebook.com/share/14zoApaCBKS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
3-    President Natalino’s speech at the opening of the Forum https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LFcRb7WWn/
4-    President Natalino’s speech at the closing of the Forum: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ANxQVMfG7/
5-    Report on National TV: https://youtu.be/OygaBWaus7Y
6-    Pastor Natalino Martins on national TV : https://youtu.be/OygaBWaus7Y?si=2PuehVuUBikhJQ1s

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