Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Interfaith conference to focus on common values
The forthcoming Global Interfaith Dialogue Conference will be part of the Makkah-based Muslim World League's (MWL) serious efforts to highlight the significance of religion for humanity, according to its secretary-general Dr Abdullah Al Turki.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 23:53 July 10, 2008
Riyadh: The forthcoming Global Interfaith Dialogue Conference will be part of the Makkah-based Muslim World League's (MWL) serious efforts to highlight the significance of religion for humanity, according to its secretary-general Dr Abdullah Al Turki.
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will open the three-day event in Madrid, capital of Spain, on July 16. King Juan Carlos of Spain will be among the key dignitaries addressing the opening session, Dr Turki said. MWL is the main organiser of the event.
Speaking to Gulf News before leaving for Madrid Dr Al Turki said the conference has attracted significant international attention.
He said the conference would focus on common values of different communities and explore ways to achieve peaceful coexistence. "The conference will discuss prospects of dialogue among Muslims, Christians, Jews and followers of other religions," he said.
According to Dr Al Turki, dialogue is an effective way to promote peaceful coexistence among followers of various religions. He said the proposals of the conference will be submitted to the United Nations for further action.
The call for an interfaith dialogue conference was made by King Abdullah after he won the backing of leading Islamic scholars from across the world at the International Islamic Dialogue Conference in Makkah earlier last month.
Key figures representing the monotheistic religions and eastern civilisations will attend the global gathering. They include former US presidential candidate Al Gore and Archbishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa.
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