Visit of the Panamanian Ambassador to the Center
Visit of the Panamanian Ambassador
The Panamanian Ambassador Oreste Del Rio Sandoval visited the Center on Sunday 12 November 2017 and met with Dr. Ibrahim Al Naimi, Chairman of the International Center for Interfaith Dialogue.
The Panamanian Ambassador suggested that a delegation from his country participle to the 13th Conference of Interfaith Dialogue, to be held in Doha on 20-21 February 2018, while Dr. Ibrahim welcome this proposal, and informed that invitations were already sent to all Embassies represented in Qatar.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi presented a short overview about the DICID’s activities that includes events in local as well international levels . At the local level, the DICID has been regularly organizing training courses for students and teachers in independent and private schools to empower them on dialogue and communication skills, in addition to lectures and Roundtables targeting communities residing in Qatar . The Center produces a number of publication such as the interfaith specialized journal “Adyan” published in Arabic and English, the periodical Newsletters , and translation of books and selected letters, related to interfaith matters . In the international level the DICID organizes the Doha international interfaith Conference, and initiated the Doha international Award for Interfaith dialogue, the DICID regularly takes part to the interfaith meeting organized by similar organizations.
The Panamanian Ambassador then gave an overview of the experience of interreligious dialogue in his country, where diverse religions coexist, including Christians and Muslims Jews and Traditional religions followers . It’s worth to mention that the Panamanian Constitution has guaranteed religious freedom and tolerance for all communities. The ambassador hoped to collaborate with the DICID, and embody Panama and Qatar common interfaith experience trough joint initiatives .
For his part, Dr. Ibrahim stressed the commitment of the Center to enhance cooperation with the various parties in Panama in order to achieve greater representation of the cultural and religious diversity in the country and thanked the Ambassador for his proposal to participate in the activities of the Center, particularly at the forthcoming Doha Conference. He also hoped that the cooperation will extend to a partnership through which the institutions of both sides can benefit from the exchange of experiences and support joint initiatives and projects aimed at empowering and developing local and civic communities.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed on coordination and follow-up to reach the implementation of the points dealt with during the meeting.