Second Int'l Conference on Religious Freedom and Peacemaking kicks off

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Second International Conference on Religious Freedom and Peacemaking, organised by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, in co-operation with the Multifaith Neighbors Network, kicked off Tuesday in Doha over three days, under the slogan "From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility: Building Peace in a Conflicting World”, with the attendance of an elite group of religious scholars, academics, decision-makers, and religious leaders from around the world.In her speech during the opening ceremony, HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad stressed the extremely delicate and complex circumstances in which this conference is being held for the entire world, due to the expansion of conflicts and the growing challenges that threaten its stability and the safety of civilians.HE Al-Misnad considered the conference the best evidence that the problems of the world today and the military and intellectual conflicts have become border-less, and that the danger of their challenges has become a source of suffering and instability for the entire world, noting in a related context that today's conflicts have come to include countries that were recently considered relatively far from problems, to the point that talk now has become about cross-border challenges and threats, which makes everyone, each in his position and place, responsible for that confrontation and addressing the causes of those conflicts.HE Al-Misnad also pointed out that the wide international and regional participation in the conference, which provided an ideal opportunity for the distinguished elite of prominent religious leaders and senior thinkers and academics participating in it from all over the world. It indicates the distinguished position that Qatar enjoys among them, which always confirms its firm position calling for peace and achieving reconciliation between the parties to conflicts around the world, and its interest in achieving communication and dialogue and providing its means and mechanisms in all its forms and levels for everyone without exception "as long as they are willing to find solutions to stop the conflict and look forward to that.”She expressed her hope that the efforts of the conference participants would yield useful results that would help everyone continue to unite and co-operate permanently in order to build true peace in this "unfortunately” conflicting world. Stressing the need to study the best way to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations that will be issued from the conference’s dialogue sessions to achieve the desired goal and purpose that everyone aspires to.The conference also comes within the framework of the message of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue and Qatar's vision in promoting dialogue and understanding, at a time when humanity is facing unprecedented challenges, which requires a firm commitment to promoting dialogue, coexistence and mutual respect.