Prof. Ibrahim Al-Naimi gives a presentation at a regional conference on “The Role of Religious Leaders and Actors in Combating Hate Speech

07 Sep Prof. Ibrahim Al-Naimi gives a presentation at a regional conference on “The Role of Religious Leaders and Actors in Combating Hate Speech

Within the framework of the international participation of Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in everything related to spreading the culture of dialogue and strengthening the role of the State of Qatar in combating hate speech and supporting all efforts aimed at enhancing the value of world peace, and at the invitation of the Office of the UN Human Rights Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) located in Lebanon, His Excellency Prof. Ibrahim bin Saleh AlNaimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, delivered a keynote address at the regional conference on “The Role of Religious Leaders and Actors in Combating Hate Speech,” held on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

The paper His Excellency delivered at the fourth session of the conference dealt with “Initiatives to Combat Hate Speech in the Arab Region” and was entitled: “The Initiatives of the State of Qatar and Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue to Combat Hate Speech”; the paper addressed relevant initiatives in line with the “Fez Process,” where the “Fez Process” refers to a series of consultations organized by the United Nations Office for the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect between April 2015 and December 2016 with religious leaders, faith-based and secular organizations, regional organizations, and experts from all regions of the world. The recommendations contained in the Action Plan were developed by the religious leaders and stakeholders who participated in these consultations.

Prof. Al-Naimi began his presentation with an introduction on the importance of the role of religious leaders and actors in combating hate speech, and then went into detail about the initiatives of the State of Qatar to combat hate speech, followed by the efforts and initiatives of Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in the same framework.

The paper concluded with a series of suggestions and recommendations for developing the role of religious institutions in combating hate speech, including: “Religious institutions must open up to the various institutions of society and cooperate with each other to spread a culture of tolerance, moderation and coexistence. Organizing conferences, seminars, workshops, and training courses in schools, universities, and youth meeting centers, and setting up youth camps or round tables involving academics, religious scholars, and influential figures in society and among the youth. And more attention to education about Dialogue, diversity, differences and coexistence.

His Excellency stressed the importance of continuing to hold such conferences through which “we can create a network of effective relationships and partnerships aimed at crystallizing a common vision for collective action in promoting the values of tolerance, combating hatred and spreading a culture of peace in our societies, especially those that have suffered the scourge of various conflicts, so that they can return to the path of development and reconstruction.

It is worth noting that this conference took place in the framework of the Advocacy Week, with the participation of several parties and numerous activities organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with its partners, to raise awareness and stimulate Dialogue on dealing with hate speech and promoting a culture of peaceful and effective social Dialogue on the role of religious leaders and actors in preventing the spread of hatred and combating incitement to it, by bringing together leaders and representatives of various actors in the Arab region to share knowledge and experiences among themselves. The conference will address the progress made in efforts by religious leaders and actors in the Arab region to combat hate speech and promote tolerance and respect for diversity.