Understanding Each Other — Mulack to Continue Dialogue With Islamic World

RIYADH, 5 May 2005 — Dr. Gunter Mulack, the commissioner for the “Dialogue With Islamic World” in the German Foreign Ministry, will visit the Kingdom from May 20-24 to hold talks with Saudi authorities and institutions on various issues to enhance understanding between the two countries.

The talks are expected to correct erroneous threat perceptions, better understand the aspirations of the different groups and generate measure of confidence that would allow the resolution of problems and conflicts in a peaceful and effective way.

“This dialogue to some extent is an offshoot of Sept. 11. After the incident, there was an awareness in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs that our knowledge of the Islamic world is too limited. So a new section at the ministry was set up by Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer,” said Thomas Schneider of the German Embassy.

The section is exclusively responsible for dealing with the dialogue on culture and dialogue with the Islamic world. Dr. Mulack, who has much experience in the Islamic world, was named commissioner for the dialogue center.

Schneider said Dr. Mulack visited the Kingdom in January 2004 to have a dialogue with Saudi ministers, members of the Shoura Council and representatives from various sectors of society.

He said Dr. Mulack thinks that it is time to continue the dialogue not only to allow Germany to gain more knowledge about the Islamic world but also to inform more completely Saudi society about culture and politics in the West.

He noted that while many institutions in the West are dealing with Islamic politics and culture, there are none, if many, in the region to undertake Western studies.

“Dr. Mulack has been in his current position for the last three years and he has a good experience in dealing with the entire Islamic world. We are in contact with the Saudi authorities to prepare a good program during his visit,” Schneider said.

Dr. Mulack is also working with all German institutions active in the field of cultural exchange with the aim of helping them to shape their contributions to dialogue and conflict prevention, especially with the Islamic world.