The Ministry of Culture organized a symposium entitled “International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures”. 2013-2022 H.E. Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Naimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, Dr. Nozad Abdulrahman Al-Haiti, an expert of the Qatari Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations, and Ms. Maryam Yassin Al-Hammadi, Director of culture and art department in the Ministry of Culture.
His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Naimi stated that the theme of promoting the spirit of tolerance and openness to others is an important element of the social development pillar, which is one of the four pillars of achieving Qatar’s National Vision 2030, as well as human development, economic development, and environmental development.
His Excellency said: “As we approach a global sporting event led by my country, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the State of Qatar and indeed the world at large and these days and days to come, especially looking forward to the beloved State of Qatar, it is the world’s kiss and the modern. Any diversity is greater than hosting the world at large, with their colors, genders, religions, and cultures. Enough is a witness. “
In his intervention, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue outlined three elements: The concept of cultural diversity and its terminology, the Islamic attitude to cultural diversity and the State of Qatar’s handling of cultural diversity, noting that Qatar is with cultural diversity and pluralism in line with Islamic morality and our inherent Arab values, as well as dealing with issues of pluralism, diversity, coexistence, tolerance, acceptance of others and issues of pluralism, civilization and dignity.
His Excellency Dr. Al Nuaimi pointed out that the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue seeks to reflect Qatar’s vision and demonstrate its efforts in promoting these values and ethics.
Dr. Nuzad Abdulrahman Al-Haiti spoke about the role of culture in sustainable development, noting that this term emerged in 1987 after the promulgation of the Brundtland Commission relative to the Prime Minister of Sweden in the 1980s. (Roe Harlem Brundtland) When the then Secretary-General of the United Nations appointed her to examine the problems facing the world at that time, a report entitled/Our Common Future/was issued by that Commission.
He stressed that cultural diversity was a source of enrichment for society, indicating how Qatar had contributed to the preservation of Qatar’s cultural and human heritage, while noting that the Qatar World Cup embodied sustainable development at a number of levels, whether social, environmental or economic.
In turn, Ms. Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi addressed “cultural diversity and the promotion of expression”, noting that this symposium is part of the focus on achieving the aims of culture and helping to address the most pressing global challenges through intercultural and interreligious dialogue to promote understanding and cooperation for peace, identify gaps and find more appropriate solutions for more peaceful and inclusive societies.
The International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures was based on the great momentum of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, which placed on people the need to develop a comprehensive global awareness away from stereotypes and prejudices, which was the only way to achieve peace through understanding.
Qatar had signed the Convention on the Promotion of Cultural Diversity in 2009 and was undertaking a number of initiatives to promote cultural understanding among societies through conferences such as the Conference on Cultural Diversity, which had been devoted to the Asian Dialogue in September 2019, the Cultural Years Program, which celebrated the tenth year and various cultural programs in the fields of culture and the arts through cultural centers, support for cultural policies, the promotion of cultural expression and civilization.