Doha: The Community College of Qatar (CCQ), in partnership with the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), held a cultural symposium titled “Fundamentals of Interfaith Dialogue and Social and Cultural Communications.” Community College President Dr. Khaled Al-Horr, and Dr. Youssef Al-Siddiqi, Deputy Chairman of the Center attended the event. The symposium was also attended representatives from Qatar University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Lusail University, and Doha University for Science and Technology, along with a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and CCQ students.
This symposium is part of the Dialogue Initiative in Universities between Culture and Practice launched by DICID. The initiative aims to instill values of tolerance and constructive dialogue among university students, promoting openness and understanding among people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Al-Horr underscored the shared commitment of higher education insti
tutions in Qatar to fostering mutual understanding and respect among students. He emphasized that such events offer valuable opportunities for the exchange of ideas and encourage collaboration to build a more inclusive and diverse society.
He further added that through its academic programs and cultural and social events, CCQ aims to create an interactive environment that encourages students and researchers to exchange ideas and respect diversity. In today’s world of growing challenges and interconnected issues, dialogue is a key tool for building peace and achieving sustainable development.
Dr. Youssef Al-Siddiqi, Deputy Chairman of DICID, praised CCQ for hosting this symposium as part of the centers ongoing initiative. He highlighted the productive collaboration with CCQ, which reflects the colleges dedication to fostering intellectual awareness and promoting the values of dialogue and coexistence among its students and staff. He also stressed the importance of these gatherings in stimulating critical thi
nking and addressing key issues for students and scholars. In todays global village, where conflicts abound, dialogue between followers of different religions and ideologies without exclusion paves the way for peace and coexistence, based on constructive understanding and mutual respect.
The symposium featured a panel discussion moderated by journalist Mujahid Sharara of Al Jazeera Media Network. It featured contributions from Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Zain, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Dr. Youssef Benmehdi, Head of the Department of Islamic Creed and Dawa at Qatar University, and Dr Khadega AlAbdullah, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies at CCQ. The panelists emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue in promoting the principles of constructive engagement and peaceful coexistence across humanity.
They highlighted how religious, ethical, and intellectual values can be activated to address global challenges; it is a central message of Islam, wh
ich advocates for peace, tolerance, and coexistence. The speakers noted that human diversity in thought is part of God’s wisdom, which leads to differences in opinions and perspectives. This diversity is a natural part of human existence, and dialogue is the key to fostering understanding and coexistence without negating the other.
They also pointed out that, as moral beings, humans have an ethical responsibility to engage in dialogue with followers of different religions. Dialogue is not only a human necessity but also a moral and humanitarian obligation, given the many commonalities shared across cultures. Furthermore, the diverse ways of thinking that underpin human knowledge drive the continuous evolution of ideas. This further affirms that the foundation of all religions is rooted in societal and cultural communication, promoting mutual respect and shared living, regardless of cultural or ethnic differences.
Source: Qatar News Agency
