Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities (MBZUH) has concluded its participation at the inaugural International Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The summit, held in cooperation with the Ethiopian Ministry of Peace and the Interfaith Council, took place on 4-5 November 2024 and gathered ministers, ambassadors, as well as leaders from different religions. The event provided a platform for interfaith dialogue, spreading the global values of tolerance, citizenship and peace in line with the UAE’s strategic directions.
The conference aimed to provide a platform for open dialogue on enhancing interfaith understanding, spreading the values of tolerance and peace, and supporting comprehensive citizenship, in line with the UAE’s experience in consolidating coexistence and building bridges of cooperation between different cultures.
The conference witnessed the announcement of the launch of the Addis Ababa Document for Tolerance, Citizenship and Peace with the participation of religious leaders, which is considered a covenant of peace and tolerance. The document is regarded as a major step towards achieving true solidarity that enhances national integration as well as moral and human solidarity as a fundamental foundation of religious dialogue, respect for beliefs and religious pluralism, and the promotion of the concept of citizenship.
The document is also perceived as an essential pillar in interfaith understanding and building bridges for open dialogue and communication. The declaration marks a new historical and civilisational achievement that Ethiopia is presenting to the global community.
The conference witnessed also the signing of a cooperation agreement between MBZUH and the Ethiopian Ministry of Peace. The agreement affirmed the university’s commitment to enhancing scientific cooperation with Ethiopia and supporting initiatives that contribute to promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the region.
His Excellency Taye Atski Selassie, President of Ethiopia, has praised the UAE’s initiatives on fostering tolerance, citizenship and global peace at the inaugural edition of the International Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Addis Ababa, organised by Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities (MBZUH).
President Selassie’s statement was made on the opening day of the conference, in which he lauded the UAE’s efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and upholding the values of tolerance and coexistence, as well as its interest in building bridges of cultural communication in the international community. The President also extended thanks and appreciation to the MBZUH for its efforts in supporting cultural and scientific projects in Ethiopia.
Other important highlights of the opening day included the speech delivered by His Excellency Dr Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of the university, in which he emphasised that the conference’s themes were consistent with the strategic directions of the UAE, and with the vision and initiatives of the MBZUH in promoting tolerance, coexistence and peace. His Excellency Al Dhaheri said that the conference represented an important platform for promoting interfaith dialogue, encouraging peaceful coexistence and national unity as well as consolidating the values of tolerance, citizenship and peace in the world.
During the two-day conference, a wide range of activities were also organised for university students. The conference had an accompanying exhibition that highlighted projects and initiatives related to coexistence and tolerance by ministries, institutions and organisations from Asia, Africa and Europe. This reflected international interest in the values of tolerance and coexistence and reinforces the university’s keenness to build bridges of scientific and cultural communication among peoples.
Dr Karima Al Mazrouei, Associate Professor at MBZUH, also delivered a presentation on The UAE’s Strategic Model in Building Peace and Tolerance, where she explained the UAE’s approach to their strategy in promoting the values of coexistence and peace at the local and international levels. Al Mazroui called on participating countries to adopt a similar strategy, and leverage the power of education and cultural communication as effective tools for achieving mutual understanding and respect, noting that the UAE considers these values an integral part of its renaissance and progress.
