Bilbao is hosting the V Congress of FIVASCO (Islamic Federation of the Basque Country) under the theme "Society and Religion". The event brought together representatives from various administrations and religious confessions, including Nerea Melgosa, Minister of Welfare, Youth, and Demographic Challenge; Iñigo Zubizarreta, Councillor for Human Rights and Coexistence of the Bilbao City Council; Aziz Messaoudi, President of FIVASCO; Maixabel Albizu, Director of the Ellacuria Foundation; and Kerman López, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bizkaia.

Aziz Messaoudi explained that "Talking about religion is not just talking about faith, it also implies talking about society and our shared responsibilities. From FIVASCO, we advocate for encounter and for a commitment to a more cohesive society. We want to open a space where active listening allows us to build bridges instead of barriers".

Minister Nerea Melgosa emphasized that "The dialogue between the Basque administrations and the Islamic community has been and continues to be constant. As a result of this relationship of listening and participation, we have managed to advance in identifying the needs of the Basque Islamic community and in commitments to guarantee religious diversity in Euskadi. I want to thank FIVASCO for its work in favor of integration and coexistence; you are an ally in the fight against discrimination. It is time to say yes to peace".

In the words of Maixabel Albizu, interreligious dialogue is "a key to building this Euskadi we live in". She added that this dialogue and the intention to contribute are "a call to action and a reality for positioning ourselves in the construction of society". "Giving depth to life is an unavoidable alternative to avoid the violent movements they want to place us in, which is why dialogue is so important", concluded Albizu.