NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said on Thursday that the reaffirmation of common human values would ensure the security of mankind.
“It is now incumbent on all participants to declare to the world that difference must not result in confrontation,” Prince Saud said at a press conference at the closing of the United Nations General Assembly session on interfaith dialogue.
The special session on interfaith dialogue rejected the use of religion to justify the killing of innocent people and acts of terrorism, violence and coercion, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who also attended the press conference, said. A declaration issued after the event called for building a “harmonious world” in which various religions and cultures can co-exist. The 192-nation assembly adopted the declaration reiterating strong support for all faiths while warning that extremism has intensified, causing communal strife and polarizing societies.
“The challenge now is to go beyond powerful positive words we have heard these past two days,” Ban said. “I pledge my full support to these efforts,” he added.
“King Abdullah’s initiative has come at a time when the need for dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations has been greater than ever,” Ban added.
Heads of state and senior officials of more than 75 UN member states participated in the interfaith dialogue meeting called by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The declaration called for setting up a committee to implement the pledges made in the debate.
“Establishing the committee on interfaith dialogue proposed by King Abdullah would help enlist the principles of tolerance, dignity, family and integrity, common to all faiths to combat a host of world ills,” said Prince Saud.
Answering a question on how politicization of the proposed committee would be avoided, the prince said that participants in the dialogue would establish operating modalities to ensure its independence.
“All related initiatives should work together to maximize harmony,” said the UN chief. “This is not the end, it is just the beginning.”
The dialogue that began in Madrid was not centered on theology or dogma but on common ethics of religions, the UN secretary-general added. “Those common values opened the way to cooperation and understanding that had not previously existed and helped world leaders to look at problems from the same perspective,” he said.
Prince Saud said the venues of further meetings would depend on the wishes of the participants.
US President George W. Bush, who addressed the conference on Thursday lauded King Abdullah’s initiative, saying, “he has persuaded us all to meet here and to talk about faith and I do appreciate realizing the real strength of faith.”
Bush thanked all representatives of countries and organizations that participated in the conference.
“Through dialogue we can work for peace and through dialogue everyone will feel the dignity bestowed on him by Allah Almighty,” Bush said.
Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, speaking at the UN, described the initiative of King Abdullah as the most important in the present world saying, “the initiative will positively contribute to the ongoing international efforts for bringing about peace and to enhance understanding among nations and followers of various religions.”
