American Delegation visits the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID)

20 Dec American Delegation visits the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID)

To discuss strengthening the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID)’s international relations, His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Naimi, Chairman of the Center’s Board of Directors, received Mr. Elan Carr, the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism on the morning of Tuesday, December 15 2020. The US delegation also included Ms Ellie Cohanim, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy and Mr. Micheal Schreuder, Political and Economic Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Doha.

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi began the meeting with a warm welcome to the center’s guests. He also stressed the importance of promoting interfaith dialogue, the need to work towards a clear vision, a strategy to spread values of love and peace throughout the world with the aim that love conquers hate, tolerance wipes out fanaticism, and integration takes the place of hateful community formation, so that humanity can live in harmony.

Mr. Elan Carr in turn praised the role of DICID and its efforts in spreading true religious values, promoting the culture of interfaith dialogue to achieve peaceful coexistence among its adherents, and in rejecting intolerance.

Dr. Al-Naimi also states that the Center, since its inception, has sought to create a platform for dialogue; to bring different religions and cultures together upon a common purpose so as to unify efforts in the face of challenges that threaten the security and peaceful coexistence among people. Following which Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi then presented the various activities conducted by the Center which include the annual international conference for interfaith dialogue, round tables that discuss issues related to communities in Qatar, the scientific journal Adyan issued by the Center, training activities for school students in the field of dialogue, especially religious dialogue, accepting the other and building bridges using communication, and cultural forums the Center organizes for different communities. Dr. Al-Naimi also touched on the status of religious freedom in Qatar where followers of all religions in Qatar are guaranteed practice of religious rites with ease and without any hardships.

Mr. Elan Carr touched on the importance of the principle of the Alliance of Civilizations and Interfaith Dialogue, and commended the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue for carrying out important and much needed work in this area. He called on followers of the monotheistic religions from various countries, to dialogue and cooperation in order to reach solutions for major issues that concern humanity, especially at a time when the world has been witnessing various ethnic and religious conflicts.

It is worth noting that DICID is considered one of the leading Arab centers in the field of interfaith dialogue, and is active in the field of interfaith, working in cooperation with all relevant institutions at the local, regional and international levels.