Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Sarajevo

28 Jun Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Sarajevo

Prof. Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi, Chairman, Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue – DICID and Prof. Dr Faruk Caklovica, Rector of University of Sarajevo, signed on June 27, 2011, the Memorandum of Understanding between the two aforesaid institutions.

By signing of this MoU, the possibility for the coordination of collaborative research, monitoring and data exchange between the parties in the field of interfaith and inter-religious dialogue in the Balkan Area and the Arabian Gulf Region has been given. This MoU, among others, includes organizing interfaith conferences, forums and symposiums, the cooperation of parties in the scientific Journal “ADYAN-RELIGIONS” published by “DICID”, setting of research and studies in numerous and various fields, cooperation on translation services, and collaboration in the other programs, such as educational programs and youth activities related to the dialogue including cultural trips, youth camps and student exchange.

Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, Chairman, Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue, pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina was the right place for the establishment of cooperation where the East and West were meeting, a place rich with cultural, historical and artistic heritage. Through this collaboration, the Center wants to help the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in building of a better and brighter future. This Center’s activities were also represented via the corresponding video presentation.

Rector Prof. Caklovica expressed his pleasure with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which was establishing cooperation with the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), and thanked the distinguished guests for the visit, stressing that it was the exceptional honor for the University in Sarajevo to be recognized by this Center as a future partner, by which the cooperation began that would provide opportunities for both sides to development and promote the interfaith and interreligious dialogue. By the appropriate film about the University of Sarajevo, its actions, plans and resources were represented.

Prof. Dr Pavo Jurisic, Dean, Faculty of Catholic Theology, also addressed to the guests, a higher education institution that has recently become a joined member of the University of Sarajevo, saying that such meetings helped to realize the truth in dialogue without any shred of political interests or bias. This will be the impulse for the education of generations who will not be burdened with historical problems.
During the visit, the deal was stricken on organizing joint conferences on how to use social media to better participate in the dialogue between religions that will be held next year in Sarajevo.

The University of Sarajevo is the first university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, originally established in 1531 as an Islamic law college, with a modern university being established and expanded on top of that in 1949. Today, with 23 faculties and around 55,000 enrolled students, it ranks among the largest universities in the world in terms of enrollment.

The original establishment of the University of Sarajevo dates back to the 16th century, as an Ottoman institute of higher education. It was called the Ottoman Medresa of Sarajevo and was recognized as a university in the confines of the Ottoman Empire, the Islamic world, and several European countries. In 1949, the modern University of Sarajevo was established. It is now the largest and most prestigious university in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The signing of this Memorandum was attended by the Vice-Rector of the University of Sarajevo, University of Sarajevo’s Academic Council Chairmen, and a representative of the Qatar Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.