Cape town: HE Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, affirmed that the State of Qatar has made significant efforts to promote and disseminate the culture of interfaith dialogue and achieve peaceful coexistence through education. He highlighted various Qatari institutions working in this field at both national and international levels.
According to Qatar News Agency, in a speech delivered during the G20 Interfaith Forum 2025 currently being held in Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Al Naimi emphasized that Qatar has several institutions promoting education that supports social cohesion and shared human values. These include the Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ICESCO Chair for Dialogue of Civilizations at Qatar University, which have pioneered specialized academic programs in religions and dialogue of civilizations.
Dr. Al Naimi also noted that Qatar's national school curricula incorporate lessons encouraging values of dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and acceptance of others. These efforts align with Qatar's broader national strategy to promote education that supports social cohesion and shared human and global values.
He highlighted Qatar's initiatives in making education a bridge toward peace and development, notably through the efforts of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and the Education Above All Foundation, which has provided educational opportunities to millions of children worldwide.
Dr. Al Naimi addressed the role of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in promoting dialogue and coexistence through its regular events and activities, such as conferences, seminars, and the peer-reviewed Adyan journal. He spoke of the "Dialogue in Universities" initiative launched in September 2024, which involved collaboration with major universities and media partners to discuss issues contributing to a shared and peaceful future.
In his speech, Dr. Al Naimi stressed that education and interfaith dialogue are complementary in fostering comprehensive human development. He highlighted global challenges, referencing UNESCO statistics on out-of-school children and International Labour Organization data on modern slavery, stressing the need for a values-based educational approach to address these issues.
Dr. Al Naimi also referenced the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the severe deprivation faced by its population. He called for global action to end hunger, restore rights, and build peace, emphasizing the need for forums like the G20 Interfaith Forum to transform religious and human values into tangible outcomes.
He proposed ensuring inclusive, high-quality education for all, integrating interfaith dialogue into national curricula, enhancing partnerships with religious communities, and incorporating ethical values and life skills into education. He concluded by advocating for concerted efforts among policies, education, and religious institutions to build more just and cohesive societies.
The G20 Interfaith Forum, concluding Thursday, gathers religious leaders, policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives from around the world. It aims to explore how education and interfaith dialogue can address humanitarian challenges, promote inclusive development, and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.