DICID Organizes Second Event of the Dialogue Initiative in Universities

03 Oct DICID Organizes Second Event of the Dialogue Initiative in Universities

Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), in collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and participating universities, organized the second event of the “Dialogue Initiative in Universities” titled “Principles of Religious Peaceful Coexistence.” The event took place at the Minaretein building of the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU on Monday, September 30, 2024. The first event of the initiative was held at Qatar University on September 15, 2024.

H.E. Prof. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Naimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DICID, stated: “DICID chose the theme ‘Principles of Religious Peaceful Coexistence’ to instill the culture of dialogue and reinforce the principles supporting it among students. This activity is part of DICID’s commitment to engaging youth in events where they actively participate. It aims to empower future generations to understand the importance of dialogue and peaceful coexistence in diverse societies, and to contribute to building bridges between different religions and cultures.”

This event is part of DICID’s initiative designed to foster a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding among university students from various religious and cultural backgrounds. The session began with a welcoming speech by Prof. Recep Şentürk, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU, who discussed the concept of coexistence in Islamic civilization and its general core principles. He focused on the Islamic principle of “sanctity by humanity” as endorsed by the majority of scholars and also referenced the Shafi’i view, which emphasizes that sanctity is based either on faith or protection.

The event featured a unique participation by university students, who shared their personal experiences of peaceful coexistence in their home countries, including a presentation of Islam’s presence and the percentage of Muslims in their respective nations. Most of the students belonged to religious and cultural minorities. The dialogue was moderated by Dr. Muhammad Modassir Ali, a Senior Researcher in Muhammad Bin Hamad Al Thani Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization (CMCC) at College of Islamic Studies – Hamad Bin Khalifa University, who added depth to the discussion, with active engagement from the audience, who enriched the conversation with questions and contributions.

Twenty-five (25) students from five local universities attended the event, including Qatar University, Community College of Qatar, Doha University for Science and Technology, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and Lusail University. These students were chosen using criteria developed by “the Initiative Follow-up Committee,” which includes representatives from participating universities as well as Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. It is worth noting that the effort intends to encourage student dialogue, build a culture of peace and pleasant engagement, and provide opportunities for effective interaction.

The idea for this initiative was announced at DICID’s Ramadan Ghabga event last Ramadan. The first event was held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Qatar University. The event’s theme was “Towards Establishing a Culture of Interfaith Dialogue among Academic and Intellectual Elites,” with an emphasis on academics and administrative staff. The third event, slated for October 15 at the Community College of Qatar, will focus on the fundamentals of interfaith dialogue and the promotion of social and cultural communications.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Sekou Touré, a Senior Researcher in Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), provided general guidelines for dialogue in Islam, explaining that Islam in minority contexts offers a significant example of the need for interfaith dialogue. He also highlighted the benefits of dialogue in securing the rights of Muslims in non-Muslim-majority countries, in addition to being an opportunity to showcase Islamic values and contribute to societal welfare alongside other religions.

The event concluded with a recognition ceremony, where Ms. Nadia Al-Ashqar, Conference Coordinating Officer at Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), presented certificates of appreciation to the participating students in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts and contributions.

This event reflects DICID and HBKU’s commitment to promoting concepts of peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among diverse religious and cultural communities, underscoring the importance of dialogue in achieving a more harmonious and pluralistic global society.