World dialogue conference in Madrid discusses important working papers

Participants hail King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue initiative

Conferees converge on need to stick to faiths to stand up against extremism, violence, immorality

The World Conference on Dialogue organized by Muslim World League in Madrid under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held in Madrid the first work session under the theme (Dialogue and Its Religious and Civilization Foundations).

The work session was chaired by Dr. Bawa Jain the Secretary General of Millennium World Peace Summit for Religious and Spiritual Leaders of the United Nations.

During the session, the participants discussed four working papers. Dr. Hussain Hamid Hassan, Shari’ah Observer at Dubai Islamic Bank talked about Dialogue in Islam. Also, Dr. Naguib Gabriel, Head of Egyptian Organization for Human Rights talked about Dialogue in Christianity. After that, Rabbi Arthur Schneir who is the Founder and Chairman of Appeal of Conscience Foundation in USA talked about Dialogue in Judaism. Then, Dr. M. M. Verma Director of Interfaith Foundation in India talked about Dialogue in Oriental Creeds (Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism).

Dr. Bawa Jain has underlined the significance of the World Conference on Dialogue under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

On his part, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who spoke on "Dialogue in Judaism" said "Dialogue will always remain an inevitable matter."

He noted that Judaism advocates dialogue with others and treating everyone with kindness. Schneier announced his rejection of the idea of civilizations conflict because that contradicts with the wish of God Almighty that calls for peaceful and harmonious coexistence among all people around the world.

He expected that conflicts will end and understanding among the followers of the revealed messages, cultures and civilizations will prevail. Schneier rejected injustice, violence, hatred and racialism, and condemned the attacks launched against Islam.

Meanwhile, Dr M.M.Verma, Director of Interfaith Foundation in India, said dialogue leads to love and peace.

The Second Session of the World Conference on Dialogue was held here today under the theme of 'Dialogue and Its Importance in Human Society' under the chairmanship of Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Humaid, the Chairman of the Shoura (Consultative) Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The session dealt with working papers, namely "Dialogue and Interaction of Cultures & Civilizations," by Rev.Nichiko Niwano, President, Japan Committee, World Parliament for Religion and Peace; "Dialogue and its Impact on Peaceful Co-existence by Prof. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, President of Cultural and Peaceful Foundation, Spain; "Impact of Religion on World Ethical Promotion by Congressman Jose De Venecia, Jr, Former Speaker of the Philippines House of Representatives; and "Dialogue in the Face of Calls for Clash of Civilization and End of History," by Dr. Redwan Naef Al-Sayyed, Chairman, International Institute for Islamic Studies, Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdel-Hadi al-Tazi, the member of the Moroccan Academy, also spoke on the impact of dialogue on the international relations.

The third working session of the World Conference on Dialogue was held here today under the chairmanship of Dr William F. Vendley, Secretary General, World Conference of Religions for Peace.

The session discussed four working papers.

Dr. Nihad Awad, the executive director of the council on American Islamic relations in the US, delivered a paper on "Ethical Reality in Contemporary Human Society".

Sheikh Mohammed Ali Taskheeri, Secretary General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools ff Thought in Iran, delivered a paper on Significance of Religion and Values in Combating Crimes, Drugs and Corruption.

Shankaracharya Onkar Anand Sraswati Ji Maharaj, leader of sanatan dharm, in India, spoke on the role of religion and the family in Stability of Society.

Rev. Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, Rector, Pontifical Institute for Arabic Studies, Vatican, delivered the fourth paper on Protection of Environment as a Common Human Duty.

The World Conference on Dialogue held its fourth session here tonight under the theme "Evaluation and Promotion of Dialogue", chaired by Rabbi Caudio Epelman, Secretary General , Jewish Congress in Latin America & Caribbean, Argentina.

During the session, the participants discussed four working papers as follows:

Dr. Izeddin Ibrahim Mustafa, Adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates for Cultural Affairs, presented a working paper on Muslim-Christian-Jewish Dialogue: its Future and Horizons.

Master Xue Cheng, Vice-Chairman of Buddhist Association in China, submitted a working paper on Dialogue with Oriental Creeds: Its future and Horizons.

Father Econos Nabbel Haddad, Executive Director, Jordanian Center for Religious Co-existence Researches, Jordan, presented a working paper on the Efforts of World Countries and Organizations in Augmenting Dialogue and Overcoming its Obstacles.

Mr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, President, Cultural Foundation of Peace, Spain, presented the fourth and today's last paper on Dialogue: Its Impact on Peaceful Co-existence.

The conference will hold its fifth session tomorrow morning to discuss the conference's fifth theme titled "Disseminating of Culture and Co-existence Dialogue which will be followed by the conference's final session.

In an address at the joint press conference with the Advisor to the United Arab Emirates President for Cultural Affairs Dr. Ezzedeen Mustafa Ibrahim, held after the conclusion of the conference, Secretary General of the Muslim World League Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsin Alturki, Chairman of the World Conference on Dialogue, said the Declaration of Madrid focused on a shared vision and on principles subject to the agreement of all, and its recommendations have been welcomed by all.

He stressed the need for the integration of both popular and official efforts to ensure the success of the dialogue so that religions, cultures and values have an effect on politics and global relations.

Afterwards, Dr. Alturki answered reporters' questions explaining that there is a desire to transform the dialogue and its importance through the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to become international because the Declaration of Madrid focused on some issues that require international measures and the United Nations is the organization that hosts all countries of the world.

Dr. Alturki said the Declaration of Madrid did not contain an invitation to hold another conference like this one, but focused on spreading the culture of dialogue through symposiums and conferences all over the world as it has called for the formation of a team to study the obstacles of dialogue and consider solutions to smooth these obstacles, adding that the recommendations of the conference are meant for all institutions of dialogue in the world.

He stated that the Muslim World League and other institutions in the Islamic or non-Islamic countries are concerned and will be happy to hold many symposiums or meetings on the issues of dialogue.

Dr. Alturki said the Jews are followers of a significant religion and Moses, peace be upon him, is one of the prophets respected by Muslims.

He added, "There is no problem between the religion of Islam and Judaism or Christianity, but the problem might lie in the conduct of the followers and their practices."

On the role of media in disseminating the culture of dialogue, Dr. Alturki stressed the importance for media people to be knowledgeable of world conditions as these relate to cultures, religions, or philosophies, so that media people can serve better in this field.

On the possibility of establishing a television channel devoted to dialogue, Dr. Alturki said this matter is of interest and under consideration and discussion. It might not be just one channel but more than one because dialogue allows for international communication among cultures and civilizations, and helps present better perceptions and knowledge of one another.

Dr. Alturki stressed the need for the media in various countries of the world to focus on the common human denominator because focusing on negative aspects leads to no results.

On the issue of continuing the dialogue, the Advisor to the United Arab Emirates President for Cultural Affairs Dr. Ezzedeen Mustafa Ibrahim said, "I heard the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Riyadh saying clearly that it will not be just one conference but will be followed by other meetings in other parts of the world."

The advisor added that there is a proposal to hold a meeting or conference in Japan adding that Islam promotes dialogue with anyone since it is open to all."