Doha: Under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, 14th Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue: ‘Religions and Hate Speech: Between Scripture and Practice’ will begin today in Doha.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, said that the two-day conference was scheduled for March 3 and 4, 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic.
“This annual conference is held periodically and is attended by more than 300 personalities from about 70 countries, in addition to participants from Qatar. This conference is the regular academic and discursive forum between thinkers and representatives of the three monotheistic religions, a select group of religious scholars, academics, and leaders of centres of interfaith dialogue from around the world,” said Dr. Al Nuaimi.
He said that hate speech is a violation and undermining of human rights which are among the most important religious and humanitarian issues of today that need to be highlighted and emphasised. Therefore, he said, the aim of this conference is to discuss the problem of hate speech and its dimensions as well as the positions of religions against it and to call for respect, tolerance, and compassion.
The conference will be attended by religious scholars, former civil servants, academics, heads of institutions, academics, students, charitable institutions, civil society organisations, as well as representatives from the countries most affected by hate speech.
Dr. Al Nuaimi said that the fourth Doha International Award for Interfaith Dialogue will be presented during the conference. The title and theme of the award were chosen in line with the objectives of this year’s conference: ‘Outstanding Contributions to Spreading the Culture of Moderate Discourse’.
The awardees are selected based on their achievements in spreading the culture of moderate discourse, bringing together people and followers of different religions, and refuting hate speech, incitement, discrimination, racism, extremism, and terrorism. Dr. Al Nuaimi pointed out that the speakers and participants of the conference will focus on the commonalities, and call for a common word between the monotheistic religions, to find a basis for coexistence for the benefit of humanity in general, away from discussing the ideological issues of each religion.
“Respect for the origins of other religions requires us to respect them now, and we invite them to a dialogue that reflects positively on the reality of the followers of different religions inside and outside their countries,” he added.
Dr. Al Nuaimi said that the results of this dialogue will lead to a decrease in hatred between the followers of these religions, especially that of hate speech towards Islam and Muslims, and what has become known as Islamophobia or the unjustified fear of Islam and Muslims which plague the Ummah in non-Muslim countries. Addressing these issues are the goals we are striving for and have begun to achieve.
He pointed out that Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue has become a source of pride for every Qatari citizen and every Arab and Muslim.
