Doha, October 16 (QNA) – The Ministry of Culture organized Sunday a symposium entitled “International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2013-2022”, with the participation of HE Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, and Dr. Nowzad Abdul Rahman Al Hiti, an expert of the Qatari Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations and Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi, Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture. The writer Jamal Fayez moderated the symposium.
HE Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi explained that the issue of promoting the spirit of tolerance and openness to others is an important element in the pillar of social development, which is one of the four pillars of achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, in addition to human development, economic development and environmental development.
He said that they are hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 event, and that the State of Qatar and the whole world are looking forward to it, and what diversity is greater than hosting the entire world, with their colors, races, religions, and cultures which is a great opportunity to share called the authenticity of Qatar, Arab and Islamic values and morals.
In his intervention, Chairperson of DICID referred to three elements: cultural diversity and pluralism in line with Islamic ethics, authentic Arab values, as it deals with issues related to pluralism and diversity, coexistence, tolerance and acceptance of the other, and issues related to pluralism and diversity in civilization, and dignity.
For his part, Dr. Nowzad Abdul Rahman Al Hiti spoke about the role of culture in sustainable development, stressing that cultural diversity is a source of enrichment for society, that Qatar has contributed to preserving cultural and human heritage, and that the World Cup in Qatar embodies the achievement of sustainable development on social, environmental or economic levels.
In turn, Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi, touched on “cultural diversity and the promotion of expression”, noting that this symposium comes with a focus on achieving the desired goals of culture and helping to address the most pressing global challenges through intercultural and interreligious dialogue to enhance understanding and cooperation for peace and identify gaps and finding more appropriate solutions to create more peaceful and inclusive societies.
She explained that the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures builds on the great momentum generated by the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, which places on people the need to develop a comprehensive global awareness that is free from stereotypes and prejudices, which is the only way to achieve peace through understanding.
She stated that the State of Qatar signed an agreement to promote cultural diversity in 2009, and is also undertaking initiatives to enhance civilized and cultural understanding such as the Cultural Diversity Conference, which was devoted to the Asian Dialogue in September 2019, and the Years of Culture Program, which celebrates this year’s 10th year and which focus on common human values such as human dignity and respect.
(QNA)