The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue
Received the former Tunisian foreign minister
Received the former Tunisian foreign minister
HE Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Naimi, Chairman of the Doha International Dialogue Center, received in his office HE Dr. Rafiq Abdel Salam, former Tunisian Foreign Minister and Director of the Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies.
The visit was part of the DICID’s policy aiming to set up a cooperation and networking mechanisms with institutions working in interreligious dialogue and Research Centers to promote the DICID’s activities, exchange ideas and discuss prospects for cooperation.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Al-Naimi praised the Minister ‘s experiences and his role in the field of dialogue. He said : “ Such meetings with politicians and experts in the field of dialogue contribute to the opening of new horizons of knowledge, exchange ideas, lead to maturity and generate more, our humanitarian mission is based on acceptance of the other, dialogue, and rejection of intolerance and alienation”.
Dr. Naimi praised the Tunisian experience, praising that Tunisia was the starting point for the Arab Spring, wishing more success for the experience of Tunisia, by establishing its fledgling democracy and achieving the people’s aspirations for freedom, economic prosperity, security and community safety from different sects and ideologies.
From his part Dr. Rafik Abdul Salam said : “despite of our reservations about Iranian policy in Iraq and Syria, but we have no choice but to do so,” said. “The sectarian politics in which some countries in the region are working to deepen the sectarian divide is not an appropriate policy for the Muslim world. We need to promote dialogue and communication between Islamic sects , and set up a common strategy based on convergence of views.
“On the religious side, we have to appeal to friends of different faiths,” he said. “There are balanced, moderate Christian figures and Jewish figures who are anti-Zionist. We must build bridges of communication and understanding among different faiths”.
“The internal differences between the Arab countries do not contradict the need for dialogue with the other,” he said. “We can only strengthen our ranks. It is important that we start an internal dialogue with the parties ready for dialogue as well as with friends abroad, through the Policy of reducing liabilities.
The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue is the leading institution in Qatar for interreligious and intercultural dialogue, capacity-building for dialogue and the culture of peace. In order to promote this trend, it is in contact with similar centers around the world, as well as delegations and elites representing all sects, religions and races.
The decision to establish the Center in June 2010 issued the Emiri Decree No. 20 of 2010 approving the establishment of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, which aims to support and promote a culture of interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence among religious adherents and activating religious values to address issues And problems that concern humanity.