Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace between East and West
His Excellency Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, opened an event titled “Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace between East and West” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event was attended by His Excellency the Chairman General Assembly of the United Nations Saba Koroshi, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations as the representative of his deputy Amina Mohammed, His Excellency the High Envoy for the Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Moratinos, and His Excellency the United Nations Special Adviser on Multiculturalism and Religions Arthur Wilson, along with senior leaders of the United Nations, representatives of permanent missions of member states, religious leaders, civil society bodies, organizations, and academia.
Importance of Strengthening Civilizational Union
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Dr. Al-Issa emphasized the importance of strengthening the civilizational union. He stated that each civilization has its own identity and its right to exist must be understood, regardless of disagreement with it. He also emphasized that civilization is a set of beliefs, ideas, and behaviors that constitute the beliefs and behavior of the general public and not the beliefs of specific individuals or groups. His Excellency pointed out that communication for acquaintance and cooperation between nations and peoples is a divine call in all divine laws, and specifically in Islam.
Promoting Understanding, Cooperation, and Peace
His Excellency Dr. Al-Issa emphasized the importance of promoting understanding, cooperation, and peace among nations and peoples. He urged everyone to carefully study human history and read it correctly. He stressed that the Muslim World League strives through the document of Mecca Al-Mukarram to emphasize the truth of Islam to the followers of religions, civilizations, and a number of important issues in our world.
Urgent Need for Civilizational Union
His Excellency stressed that the promise of a civilizational union between nations and peoples, while understanding the private life of each civilization, without interfering in its affairs and without offending its followers, is an urgent need for the peace of our world and the harmony of its national societies. He also called on the Member States of the United Nations to accept the proposal to set aside a global day for a civilizational union between East and West to motivate the nations and peoples of East and West to greater mutual trust, understanding, and effective cooperation in confronting the instigators and beneficiaries of the escalation of the pessimistic ideas of the collision theory.
Positive Influence of Religious Organizations and Associations
His Excellency President of the United Nations General Assembly Saba Qoroshi praised the valuable efforts of the Muslim World League and His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Al-Issa, noting that all religious organizations and associations are united by their remarkable ability to positively influence various social circles. He also expressed his concern about children suffering from hate speech broadcast on the Internet.
Dialogue between Cultures Contributes to Mutual Respect
During a speech by His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered on his behalf by His Excellency Deputy Secretary-General Amina Muhammad, he thanked His Excellency Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, for this initiative. She emphasized that dialogue between cultures contributes to mutual respect between peoples.
Religious Leaders Must Play an Important Role
His Excellency Miguel Moratinos, Supreme Envoy of the Alliance of Civilizations, confirmed his support for this event dedicated to dialogue between civilizations and religions as a tool for building bridges of understanding and peace between East and West. He explained that religious leaders must play an important role in mobilizing societies to increase mutual respect and understanding.
United Nations Complements the Voice of the Muslim World League
In the same context, His Excellency Arthur Wilson, United Nations Special Adviser on Multiculturalism and Religions, affirmed that the United Nations complements the voice of the Muslim World League and calls for a genuine and comprehensive peace between East and West through bridges of mutual understanding. He called for the launch of educational programs and social initiatives.