The 14th Doha Conference For Interfaith Dialogue kicked off in Doha today under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani under the theme of "Religions and Hate speech... Scriptures and Practice." The conference will be attended by 300 scholars, religious leaders, academics, and invested media personalities from about 70 countries, in addition to their local counterparts.
HE State Minister for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi said in his opening speech in the conference that the State of Qatar believes that nations are founded on investment in man, through cooperation with his fellow man in order to build a harmonious society based on mutual respect and coexistence no matter their religious, cultural, or ethnical differences.
His Excellency elaborated that this year's event comes as part of a series of previous conferences that all stressed this principle, and this policy that aims to emphasize the culture of dialogue, and especially interfaith dialogue.
He asserted that the only way to coexistence and cooperation amongst individuals, groups, and states alike is through a constructive dialogue based on the recognition of otherness, respecting different peoples' cultures, beliefs, and sanctities.
The Minister of State stressed that "confronting hate speech is a serious matter, and that the destructive consequences of hate speech on our societies cannot be dealt with only by international laws, or just by quoting religious scriptures. Rather, it requires a united and serious effort by everyone including the religious leadership and civil institutions, to raise awareness and faith, consolidated by laws, and received by hearts and minds that realize that the only way for us to be delivered from the scary waves of hatred and conflict that we find ourselves in, to the world peace we all aspire for, can only come through a moderate religious rhetoric, and through a constructive, serious, and calm dialogue." To this end, his excellency added that "It is imperative that we all follow the serious discussions and deep surveys that we expect from all religious leaders, scholars, and thinkers present in this conference and its likes, with realistic action plans and initiatives through which we can confront all forms of hate speech; be it religious, philosophical, or legal, and to clarify its dangers on our societies, where we aspire that every person lives a free, safe, and dignified life regardless of their religion, sex, or color." He stated that religion is full of mercy, and that all prophets and religions called for peace between God and man, and between man and his fellow man.
He then added that "Therefore, the aspired peace we yearn for in our world today, can be manifested by highlighting the religious and humane values of life preservation, the rejection of violence, and the abandonment of fanaticism and hate speech, in addition to harboring a strong sense of belonging to humanity as a whole." The State Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed State of Qatar's gratitude towards the attendees for their participation in the conference, and his confidence that this conference will yield positive and fruitful results, as he also said that it is vital to find the ideal action plan based on the conference's recommendations, for the conference to fulfill its objective.
His excellency welcomed the participants in the preliminary session, and hoped that the supreme goal of this conference be reached, which is the coming together of people of faith, together with experts, for them to open up the horizons of dialogue and understanding, in order for peace and love to spread among mankind regardless of religion, ethnicities, and cultures.
The conference is organized by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, for the duration of two days, discussing three main topics: The first relates to the concept of hate speech, its causes and motivations, with the focus being on extremist religious rhetoric and its role in the wide spreading of hate speech, and the misunderstanding of religion. In addition to finding ways to solidify the moderate religious rhetoric, and, discussing the issue of the spread of extremist rhetoric amongst some religious and political leaders, and its effects on world peace.
The second topic is titled The Patterns and Forms of Hate Speech, where the participants will discuss the dangers of the spread of hate speech, the incitement of violence and terror, the political utilization of hate speech, the consequences of the spread of hate speech on coexistence and its generation of racism, specifically taking a toll on migrants, religious minorities, and women.
As for the third topic, the discussion will be about The Role of Leaders, Religious Institutions, and Journalists in Combating Hate Speech, The Responsibility of Religious Scholars and the Role of Acts of Worship in Raising Awareness of the Importance of Respecting Religions, and the Media Effect on Limiting Hate Speech, The Role of Religious and Moral Values in Combating Hate Speech, and The Culture of Peace, Coexistence, and Respect of Cultural and Religious Diversity.
Furthermore, the participants in the third topic will discuss the topic of international laws and treaties related to criminalizing hate speech, where the limits of the application of freedom of speech will be investigated, and The protection of freedom of speech in the international and humanitarian law, in addition to the religious and legal frameworks in combating hate speech, and the role of educational, cultural, and artistic institutions in confronting to hate speech, and the spreading of respect and acceptance of diversity.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs