Penang: The State of Qatar, with its prudent leadership, believes in peace as the rational and moral option and in constructive dialogue as the path toward ensuring a more cooperative and safe future among peoples, HE Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Naimi, has said. He was addressing the two-day International Conference on Peace Among Followers of Religions 2025, hosted by the State of Penang, Malaysia, under the theme: "Cultural and Religious Pluralism: A Pathway to Peace and Harmony in a Turbulent World".
According to Qatar News Agency, HE Al Naimi touched on the Israeli aggression against residential compounds of several leaders of Hamas in Doha, Qatar, which has been working to achieve peace and stability in the region. He emphasized that Qatar would continue these efforts despite various challenges. This conference is an essential gathering, resulting from the consultations of the 15th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue 2024 and the Second International Conference on Peace Making 2025.
Interfaith encounters are not just about exchanging knowledge; they also transform thought and behavior and build commitments to advance peace, he mentioned. HE Al Naimi highlighted the difficult situation Palestinians in Gaza face, stressing the ongoing siege, war, displacement, and starvation. He noted that DICID has launched an awareness campaign on deliberate starvation in Gaza, hoping to end this crisis.
He stressed that peace is a joint moral and human responsibility, and the conference should lead to real transformations, practical partnerships, and global efforts that support coexistence and harmony. Organized by the Coalition of Islamic Non-Governmental Organizations in Malaysia, in collaboration with the State Government of Penang and under the auspices of DICID, the conference gathers over 200 dignitaries, including officials, religious leaders, academics, and civil society representatives globally.
HE Al Naimi highlighted that the partnership with DICID in organizing the event embodies the center's objectives to promote dialogue and understanding among religions. The center has a presence in numerous countries, including Western and Arab nations.
Convening in Malaysia and other East Asian countries is a natural extension of Qatar's efforts in dialogue and peace-building, addressing new challenges, Al Naimi noted. He emphasized the conference's goal to promote peace and harmony through sharing expertise and initiatives, strengthening coexistence and mutual respect, and supporting cooperation networks between civil society organizations globally.
He added that there is a need for shared work and dialogues to embody peace values in communities and create an environment of respect and coexistence. Malaysia's experience in unity and peace provides a perfect opportunity for interfaith dialogue, given its multi-ethnic and multi-religious context.