DOHA: The 13th Doha Interfaith Conference will start on February 20 under the theme “Religions and Human Rights”.
The two-day event will take place at the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID). Chairman of (DICID), Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi (pictured), announced in a press conference held recently that the Fourth Doha International Award for Interfaith Dialogue: 2018 will be presented to the selected recipients at the 13th Doha Interfaith Conference.
Al Nuaimi also expected that 500 important figures from 70 countries, including some 240 participants from outside the country, including religious scholars, politicians, academics, researchers and those interested in dialogue issues, will attend the conference.
A number of research papers will be presented at the conference. “More than 80 research and work papers will be discussed in the conference.”
He also added that the conference will discuss three main themes; the first theme is the vision and concept of human rights in religions. This theme will focus on topics related to freedom of religion, the rights of minorities, and the right to a peaceful coexistence between people of different faiths.
The second theme will focus on the position of religions on violations of human rights. Talks will focus on issues such as religious views on extremism and terrorism. Another subject, he said, that the second theme will focus on will be the violation of individual and group freedoms. The chairman said that the third theme will discuss human rights issues between divine laws and international conventions. It will focus on topics such as religious teachings and the promotion of international human rights laws.
He stressed the need to protect and preserve human rights every time and in times of conflict and the importance of avoiding violation under the pretext of maintaining security.
“The conference is serious and sincere work to serve the current issues being faced by the humanity,” Al Nuaimi said adding that the continuation of the conference over the past years and so far confirms without doubt the great success achieved by the diversity of participants.
He said that continuous organizing of the Conference reflected that Qatar is a country that is interested in dialogue and seeks to give space to religious scholars to present their views on the current issues.
Regarding The Fourth Doha International Award for Interfaith Dialogue, he said: “It is a no secret that human rights violations are rampant in today’s world. Human rights violations come in many forms. They occur due to numerous conflicts and wars that are taking place.”
“They also occur due to poverty, ignorance, or political upheavals. Human trafficking, suppression, exclusion, illegal siege, and detentions add to this unending list.”
He said that the Award is an affirmation that religions, and their principles, are an important stronghold and their role and impact must not be loosen in addressing human rights issues. “It has become evident that human rights violations are a major issue not only in international legislation but also in religious texts and principles.”
Therefore, the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) has decided to dedicate the 2018 Fourth Doha International Award for Interfaith Dialogue to: “Successful experiences of religious leaders and human rights institutions in addressing human rights violations.”
The award amount is $100,000. In addition to that, winners will receive medals and certificates from the DICID.
Among the award objectives, he said, is to support the move of leaders and officials towards the use of religious values and teachings to enact laws that address human rights violations. “Also to utilize religious values to address human rights issues and violations suffered by humanity are among the objectives of the Award in addition to expand the circle of dialogue to include all those interested in the relationship between religious values and human rights issues.”
