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Interfaith meeting focused on ways to address conflicts
A number of thinkers taking part in an international interfaith conference under way in Madrid underlined the importance of the event to help bridge differences between followers of different religions and cultures.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 00:06 July 18, 2008
- King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, right, shakes hands with Spain's King Juan Carlos, left, at the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Dialogue at the Pardo Palace in Madrid.
- Image Credit: AP
Madrid: A number of thinkers taking part in an international interfaith conference under way in Madrid underlined the importance of the event to help bridge differences between followers of different religions and cultures.
The three-day conference is being organised by the Makkah-based Muslim World League.
Several speakers emphasised that the meet showed how people were eager for a way out of the conflicts and crises engulfing many parts of the world.
Nehad Awad, director general of the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), reaffirmed that the Islamic message was not confined to a certain race or geographical boundary or ethnic background.
"We, as Muslims in the United States experience this on a daily basis and Muslims in the United States are a [source of] pride for the Islamic nation and for America and our genuine strength lies in our religion and faith," he said.
Key foundations
For his part, Mohammad Ali Al-Taskhiri, secretary general of the Iran-based World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thoughts, recalled that the Makkah conference for interfaith dialogue, held earlier this year had laid the key foundations for dialogue between people regardless of their religion or sects.
"Disintegrating families and erosion of moral values lead to the collapse of societies and nations and the conference will lead to the consolidation of joint values," said William Baker, chairman of the US-based Christians and Muslims Camp for Peace.
Abdul Hameed Bulfaat, an Algerian expert in cultural and international affairs, said that the meet represented a qualitative shift in Saudi Arabia's efforts to bring together people of all diverse faiths. He urged organisers of the conference to continue their good work of fostering dialogue and coexistence.
He called for consolidating the culture of dialogue and to instill faith in the younger generation that it offered humane solutions to crises instead of leading to violence, extremism and terrorism.
Politics blamed
Calls for dialogue dominated the second session of the World Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Madrid yesterday.
Rev Nichiko Niwano, president of the Japan Committee of the World Parliament for Religion and Peace, underlined the importance of narrowing the gap between peoples of the world.
Jose De Venecia, Jr, former Philippine parliament speaker, lauded the role of the Makkah-based Muslim World League in forging peace in his country.
Dr Redwan Naif Al-Sayed, chairman of the International Institute for Islamic Studies in Lebanon, rebuffed talks of the so-called clash of civilisations. Global conflict was rooted in political and colonialist agendas, he said.
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