The recently concluded 13th Doha International Interfaith Conference, held under the theme “Religions and Human Rights”, stressed the importance of not taking religions as a pretext for acts of extremism and violence, and called for preserving human dignity, love, peace and solidarity among the followers of the three semitic religions, and excluding extremism and hatred.
The two-day conference, organised by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), with a participation of over 500 delegates from 50 countries, was graced with the presence of leaders and academics from the three major monotheistic religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, discussing and sharing their thoughts about religious values and addressing the basic issue of human rights.
Central topics at this year’s gathering included the concept of human rights in religions and religious views on human rights violations. To discuss these topics, the conference also hosted international law specialists, human rights advocates and media professionals.
Addressing the opening session, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, stressed the need for countering religious and ethnic fanaticism and solving disputes by peaceful means. He also said that the aim of the meet should be to consolidate the values of moderation and tolerance and to modernise moderate religious discourse.
In the final communiqué the DICID has called for the implementation of religious values and strengthening of international law to protect human rights and stop violations, no matter the perpetrators are the states, individuals or groups.
Compassion, empathy and human love are the basic values of religion and its followers must overcome all stereotypes and negative restrictions that harm these values.
The conference also called on the international community to provide necessary protection for children, women and people with special needs, and family, especially those who are subjected to violations during war and conflict.
It is a fact that rights violations are afflicting many countries and threatening security and stability. Wars and armed conflicts are not only creating unending refugee issues, it also result in ethnic cleansing and human trafficking.
The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue was established in 2011 with the aim of promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence between religions and applying religious values to the challenges facing humanity.
By organising the interfaith meeting every year, Qatar is spreading the message of dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the followers of religions, based on Islamic values.
