HUC Principal’s Address to the Workshop on Law, Education, and Interfaith Relations in Kenya
Hekima University College Principal Rev. Dr. Marcel Uwineza, SJ, warmly welcomed participants to the workshop organized by Center for Interfaith Studies in Africa (CISA), Hekima University College, 18–19 September 2025 by grounding his address in a powerful historical reflection on the Holocaust, where law, education, and religion—intended to uphold justice and truth—were instead manipulated to spread hatred and violence. Yet, amidst that darkness, acts of courage and compassion by individuals of different faiths showed that these same forces can also defend human dignity. This story, he emphasized, challenges Kenya today to ensure that law, education, and interfaith relations remain instruments of justice, compassion, and peace.
He highlighted the interdisciplinary and interfaith nature of the workshop, bringing together legal scholars, theologians, educators, policymakers, civil society leaders, and faith representatives to explore the interconnections between law, education, and religion in Kenya’s plural society. Kenya’s legal and educational systems, he noted, are sites of both opportunity and tension—especially regarding personal status laws (marriage, divorce, inheritance) and issues of religious expression in schools.
Dr. Uwineza honored the diverse expertise of the speakers and participants, including keynote speakers Prof. Wandia Njoya, Bishop Naftali Gitonga, and Sheikh Salim M. Charo, as well as other distinguished panelists and civil society advocates. Together, they represent the broad spectrum of voices essential to addressing these multidimensional issues.
He outlined five key objectives of the workshop:
- Analyze reforms in personal status laws and their implications for interfaith relations.
- Examine education policies on religious expression and their impact on identity and national cohesion.
- Apply multi-level analytical frameworks to Kenya’s plural context.
- Develop actionable policy recommendations for inclusivity and conflict prevention.
- Engage in balanced sessions—keynotes, panels, and case studies—leading to a conclusive roundtable discussion.
Dr. Uwineza invited participants to engage deeply, sharing their insights and experiences while reflecting on crucial questions surrounding law, religious identity, fairness, and coexistence. These are not abstract debates, he stressed, but issues that shape the daily lives of millions of Kenyans.
Closing his address, he drew inspiration from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ vision in “The Dignity of Difference,” calling for a world where diversity is celebrated, the law safeguards all, education nurtures empathy, and faith traditions collaborate for the common good.
He expressed hope that the workshop would be fruitful, inspiring, and transformative, helping build a Kenya—and a world—where every person’s dignity is upheld, every community feels safe, and differences become sources of enrichment rather than division.
