In 2001 the Republic of Macedonia faced an armed conflict. The inter-ethnic component was always highlighted during the conflict, while inter-religious relations were not that evident, though were used to stir up the conflict (attacks on churches/mosques, etc.).

Several religious temples were destroyed during the conflict. Because of the lack of communication between the religious communities and their leaders they have not been able to stand together and condemn these destructions.

Attempts were made to urge the religious leaders to make a joint appeal for peace (DCA partners in Macedonia, MCIC were involved in this activity), but several months had to pass to come to a mutually acceptable solution.

On the other hand, during the conflict, some antagonistic statements made by the members of the religious communities could have deteriorated the conflict. The lack of knowledge about the religion of the other, the deficiency of contacts among the religious communities (their clergy) as well as the prejudices are often a reason for this type of conduct and reactions and could usually be more influential for the general public.

Some isolated activities, such as the Inter-religious Conference in May 2002, staged in Skopje, showed how little they know of each other, but also provided examples of how these relations may improve. The exchange lectures by the Deans of theology faculties (both the Orthodox and the Islamic one), which happened for the first time was an inspirational attempt to find an appropriate model for deepening the contacts and the cooperation among the different religious communities.

Following this positive example of the exchange lectures between the deans of the two theology faculties, as well as identifying the need for strengthening the knowledge about the other religions among the students of the Orthodox and Islamic Faculties, MCIC in cooperation with the religious communities has developed the Bridging religions in Macedonia programme. The choice to work with the lower level of religious hierarchy is made because we think that students as future priests should learn how to understand and communicate with the other religions, and they should be able to transfer this knowledge to their believers. The programme is directed to the future and the methodology should provide models and examples of basic communication and mutual understanding.