Some Arab societies are witnessing violence and political conflicts, which gravely threatens to weaken the region’s social and cultural fabric. In June 2014, the KAICIID Dialogue Centre brought together many of the religious, inter-religious and civil society institutions currently engaged in supporting and strengthening peace building and dialogue in the Arab world.



KAICIID Secretary General Faisal Bin Muaammar noted that “All of our relations depend upon trust. Trust results from inclusive dialogue, bringing together religious leaders, governments, teachers and civil society towards strengthening common citizenship for Muslims and Christians in the Arab world based on equality and respect for human rights.”

Participants

The participants included: the Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue; the Adyan Foundation; the Arab Reform Initiative; the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services in Egypt; the Center of Christian-Muslim Studies at Balamand University; Diyar Consortium; the Forum for Religion and Cultures for Development and Dialogue; the Global Center for Justice and Humanity; the House of the Egyptian Family in Al Azhar, the Iraqi Council for Interfaith Dialogue; the Iraqi Institute for Human Rights; the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; the Middle East Council of Churches; the Pontifical Council of Inter-religious Dialogue; the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies; the Syrian League for Citizenship; the World Council of Churches

Recommendations

• Request KAICIID to foster, facilitate and coordinate local and regional initiatives focusing on citizenship and respect of diversity, especially providing space for exchanging and highlighting the successful and positive experience of the various institutions in the Arab world;
• Launch a special initiative for dialogue to engage youth to ensure sustainability and continuation of the young generation in this field;
• Launch a special campaign to reach out to Arab society through social media. Dialogue and common citizenship through social media can reach further and beyond existing audiences;
• Engage political and religious institutions and leaders to seriously adopt and implement dialogue and common citizenship.