HBKU webinar explores role of faith after coronavirus

Experts reflect on the key roles of the distinct areas in shaping the world after the pandemic

A highly informative and wide-ranging discussion on COVID-19: Faith, Public Policy and Gender Nexus’ took place during a webinar hosted by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).

The online discussion shed light on the significant connection between faith, public policy and the gender nexus in relation to the current pandemic, which has dominated everything in the world for the past few months.

Experts re ected on the role of faith-based organisations in shaping the world post-COVID-19 and considered innovations that will help create new policies on both a local and global scale, all in relation to gender-based analysis of the virus.

Dr Evren Tok, associate professor and assistant dean of Innovation and Community Development at HBKU’s College of Islamic Studies, moderated the online discussion. Speakers included Dr Leslie Pal, dean of HBKU’s College of Public Policy Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network and Dr Khadijah Elshayyal, postdoctoral research fellow at Edinburgh University’s Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World.

Commenting on the webinar, Dr Tok, said: “The current pandemic has caused a major global disruption and uncertainty, completely changing the world as we once knew it. The online discussion provided an opportunity to explore how the faith, public policy and gender equality nexus works to mitigate the effects the coronavirus has had on all spheres of society.”

During the discussion, participants explored peacebuilding and con ict transformation processes in a post-COVID-19 world. The webinar also highlighted how con ict and gender-sensitive approaches can inform policymakers’ decisions on humanitarian interventions.

HBKU regularly invites local and international academics to share their expertise with the wider community and engage in knowledge transfer on a range of topical issues of global relevance.

Experts reflected on the role of faith-based organisations in shaping the world post-COVID-19 and considered innovations that will help create new policies on both local and global scales.