12th Doha Interfaith Conference Concludes, Issues Final Statement

18 Feb 12th Doha Interfaith Conference Concludes, Issues Final Statement

The 12th Doha interfaith Conference, held on Tuesday and Wednesday themed “Spiritual and Intellectual Safety in the Light Religious Doctrines” with the participation of Muslim, Christian, Jewish leaders, alongside leading thinkers and academics in interfaith relations, The conference started with a noble speech by HE Dr. Hassan Bin Lahdan, Al Hassan Al Muhannadi, the Minister of Justice of the state of Qatar, who stated that conference was held under the patronage of the Emir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

During the conference Doha International Center of Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) gave the 3rd Doha award for interfaith work, divided this year between three international associations and two individuals for their work in interfaith relations to foster understanding and whose activities protect the security and spirituality across the world.

After two days of talks and 5 open sessions, 9 small group seminars and 108 papers dealing with the topic, the conference concluded with final statement that emphasizes the importance of Interfaith Dialogue to Spiritual and Intellectual Safety in the Light of Religious Doctrines.

The statement also stressed a commitment to the brotherhood of the divine religions; to commend cooperation among the followers of these religions in the search for peace, love and stability.

It warns against radical and terrorist speech, both intellectually and socially. The statement calls for provision of suitable media and academic resources to strengthen tolerance and the values of enlightenment; to work against insult of religion and offence and to distinguish between freedom of speech and insulting religion.

It calls for genuine partnership between international and local associations, committed to interfaith dialogue and promote the value of common action.

The statement also calls for a re-evaluation of the school curricula, especially to remove anything that calls for violence and to emphasize the values of tolerance, peace, mercy amongst humanity.

It calls for solidarity with those countries under terrible conflict, especially Iraq, Syria Yemen and Libya and to support international efforts to resolve their problems and bring back stability and security To call for solidarity with the Palestinian people and support their rights to end occupations and build their national state.

The statement calls upon representatives of all religious, including their sects and denominations, to confront all forms of what people hold sacred as well as speech which promotes hatred and bigotry. (QNA)