Interfaith ConferenceADIC – La Sorbonne, Paris13 June 1994 Preliminary remarks by Dr. Ali El Samman President of ADIC Dialogue. I never heard a word that has been so brought into disrepute. Even if it is true that according to general principles holding a dialogue helps to avoid negative forms of confrontation, the definition of the...
Category: Speeches
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The Need for Specialized Dialogue
International Symposium on Dialogue among Civilizations for CoexistenceIslamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) – Damascus18 – 20 May 2002 I have reservations about the idea of dialogue among civilizations as I believe that every time we hold a seminar, a meeting or a conference on this subject it is more or less in reaction...
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Image of Islam in the West
19th Congress of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs – Cairo27 March 2007 Introduction All monotheistic religions come from one source, God, who created the universe, sent us prophets and messengers and revealed scriptures. In all of them He ordered us to worship no one but Him whatever our faith. Islam teaches respect for the...
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Religious Values and World Peace
5th Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue – Doha, Qatar7 – 9 May 2007 I express my profound gratitude to His Highness the prince, the government of Qatar and the officers of this Doha Conference, represented by Dr Aisha El Mannai, president of the preparatory committee. I have read the Ten Commandments and understood the divine...
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The Role of Media and Civil Society in Achieving Democratic Practices
Impact of Culture on New GenerationsBibliotheca Alexandrina – Alexandria, Egypt2 March 2008 Allow me first to say that democracy is not a starting point in the evolution of society, rather it is something that develops in the later stages. When responsible individuals and groups play their role in supporting and encouraging civil society, when the...
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Towards a new language of dialogue to strengthen security in Islamic society
20th Conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs – Cairo16 March 2008 Considering the elements that would ensure security in Islamic societies, there is not enough time for me to cover them all here today. So, I will focus on just one of these elements – the relationship between Muslims and the other. In...
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The role of media in cultivating understanding among peoples
People to People International – Cairo2 April 2008 I prefer to speak about the cultivating of intercultural understanding through dialogue before discussing the role of the media. Whenever I talk about promoting a culture of mutual understanding I must mention Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of a former American president, who is considered one of the pioneers...
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Media and Violence
Religious Values: Perspectives on Peace and Respect for LifeSixth Doha Conference of Interfaith Dialogue – Doha, Qatar16 -18 July 2008 Violence that is used to force an individual or a group to comply with the perpetrators’ demands must be rejected by individuals, communities and the state. This sort of violence is used to break the...
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Shaping and Developing the Dialogue
Paper presented to World Council of Dialogue Conference – Madrid18 July 2008 I would like to express my appreciation and respect to the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saoud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for his historic initiative that represents a turning point in the course of interfaith...
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May the spirit of dialogue prevail
Mediterranean Peace Forum – Lecce, Italy27-29 November 2008 Ladies and gentlemen, you have chosen the Mediterranean as a target, a framework and a forum for dialogue. Such ambition for this region is justified, perhaps more so than anywhere else in the world, as the Mediterranean is perfectly placed for intercultural and interreligious exchanges. I recognize...