5 days ago
Qatar exerts efforts to promote dialogue, peaceful coexistence: DICID chairman
QNA
Cape Town
Qatar has made significant efforts to promote and disseminate the culture of interfaith dialogue and achieve peaceful coexistence through education, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) HE Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi has affirmed, highlighting many Qatari institutions working in this field at both national and international levels.
In a speech delivered during the G20 Interfaith Forum 2025 currently being held in Cape Town, South Africa, Dr Al Naimi said that Qatar has many institutions that work to promote education, which supports social cohesion and shared human values, including the Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ICESCO Chair for Dialogue of Civilizations at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University, which launched specialised academic programmes in religions and dialogue of civilisations, and was a pioneer in offering these programs at the regional level.
He added that the national school curricula include lessons that encourage the values of dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and acceptance of others, reflecting Qatar's ongoing efforts in this path as part of national efforts to promote education that supports social cohesion and shared human and global values.
He pointed to Qatar's pioneering initiatives that have made education a bridge toward peace and development, foremost among them the efforts of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser through the Education Above All Foundation, which has provided millions of children around the world with the opportunity to learn and live a dignified life despite the challenges and difficulties they face.
Dr Al Naimi addressed the role of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in promoting the values of dialogue and coexistence through the events and activities it regularly organizes, such as conferences, seminars, lectures, the peer-reviewed Adyan journal, and regular roundtables.
He pointed to the centre's initiative 'Dialogue in Universities,' launched in September 2024 in cooperation with five major universities and media partners, which included nine events attended by students and professors from various religions and cultures to discuss multiple issues that contribute to building a shared and peaceful future.
He emphasised that education and interfaith dialogue represent two complementary wings in the path of comprehensive human development, stressing that education and interfaith dialogue work together to nurture individuals with empathy, wisdom, and social responsibility.
He also highlighted the global challenges facing humanity, citing UNESCO statistics showing that more than 258 million children and youth are out of education, and data from the International Labour Organization indicating that about 40 million people suffer from conditions described as modern slavery.
The DICID chairman felt that addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, values-based educational approach that pays special attention to marginalised groups such as refugees, minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, ensuring their ability to contribute effectively to their communities.
In reference to the humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Al Naimi warned that Gaza represents one of the most serious humanitarian crises of all time, where siege, famine, and destruction have deprived the population of basic needs and violated every principle of justice.
He noted that despite the suffering, a growing global awareness has emerged, uniting voices across religions and nations in shared solidarity, which requires moving beyond words to action to end hunger, restore rights, and build peace.
He also underscored the importance of making this forum a platform to transform religious and human values into tangible reality through education and interfaith dialogue as tools for dignity, peace, and equitable development, and integrating values derived from religious teachings into formal educational systems, describing this as a true lever for achieving sustainable human development by building global citizens with awareness, responsibility, and the ability to coexist peacefully.
In his proposals for the G20 Interfaith Forum, Dr. Al Naimi called for ensuring the provision of inclusive and high-quality education for all, integrating knowledge of interfaith dialogue into national curricula, enhancing partnerships with religious communities in education and social cohesion programmes, and incorporating ethical values and life skills that prepare youth for global citizenship.
He affirmed that contemporary global challenges facing vulnerable groups require concerted efforts at the level of policies, education, and religious institutions to build more just and cohesive societies, considering the forum a strategic opportunity to transform values of solidarity and mutual respect into sustainable practical initiatives that support peace and comprehensive human development.
The forum, which concludes today, brings together religious leaders, policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives from around the world to explore ways of using education and interfaith dialogue to address humanitarian challenges and promote inclusive development. Discussions also focus on contributing to sustainable development and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
