KAICIID Forum Advocates For Renewed Dialogue And Sustainable Platforms Globally

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) concluded its Global Dialogue Forum on May 16, emphasizing the need to renew dialogue efforts. The forum, held from May 14-16, aimed to establish sustainable, inclusive, secure, and vibrant dialogue platforms. These platforms are intended to enhance communication among followers of various religions, religious leaders, policymakers, and decision-makers.

The closing statement highlighted the essential elements of dialogue sessions aligned with KAICIID's mission. It underscored the significant role that religious and spiritual traditions can play in addressing global crises. The statement also stressed the importance of building extensive capacities for partners to utilize dialogue methods among followers of different religions and cultures to achieve long-term transformations in relationships and institutional contexts.

KAICIID, under the direction of Secretary-General Dr. Zuhair Al-Harthi and its board of directors, will actively incorporate the principle of dialogue necessity into its future programmatic work. The centre is committed to building alliances to enhance and deepen dialogue worldwide. The statement expressed pride in the determination of various partners who have been part of KAICIID's journey over 12 years of achievements and joint efforts.

Dr. Al-Harthi emphasized that the forum in Lisbon was KAICIID's first global forum since its relocation there. He noted the diverse participation of political, religious, media, intellectual, and civil-society leaders at the same table to promote peace through dialogue. "We are talking about a 10-year experience of the centre, where we feel a great interaction showing that the centre is an outstanding international organization achieving effective results not only in one or two countries but across multiple continents," Al-Harthi said.

Dr. Al-Harthi highlighted fellowship programs, training, and active engagements for peace in countries such as Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and Mozambique. He underscored KAICIID's commitment to spreading messages of dialogue and understanding while working towards global peace through collaborative efforts and constructive cooperation.

The forum saw attendance from a global elite of religious followers, influencers, and policymakers. It emphasized key elements crucial to KAICIID's mission and highlighted the contributions that religious and spiritual traditions can make in addressing global crises today.

KAICIID will continue its efforts under Dr. Al-Harthi's leadership to incorporate dialogue necessity into discussions and plans for future work. The centre remains dedicated to building alliances that enhance dialogue worldwide while celebrating its achievements over the past 12 years.

Dr. Al-Harthi concluded by expressing optimism about KAICIID's future initiatives aimed at promoting peace through dialogue on a global scale.

With inputs from SPA