UAE partakes in religious pluralism and peaceful co-existence conference in Athens

ATHENS, 21st October, 2015 (WAM) – A UAE delegation, headed by Al Sayed Ali Al Hashemi, Advisor for Religious and Judicial Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, is currently attending the International Conference on "Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Peaceful Co-existence in the Middle East" being held in Athens from 18th to 20th October on the initiative of Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Kotzias. The UAE delegation also includes Sultan Mohammed Majid Al Ali, UAE Ambassador to Athens and Dr. Mohammed Matar Salem Al Kaabi, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf. Participants at the conference included Greek President, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, religious leaders and figures of the Muslim and Christian worlds, as well as distinguished representatives of international politics, the academic community and civil society. The conference tackles promotion of a peaceful inter-religious co-existence, through dialogue between cultures and religions. In his speech, Al Hashemi stressed that Islam is a religion that advocates the concept of peaceful co-existence between various faiths. "This approach is characterised by tolerance and deep respect for the beliefs and practices of followers of other religions. It is sure that Islam is completely innocent from all evils of bigotry. In fact, it advocates the utmost level of tolerance of other faiths to an extent that is beyond simple imagination," he added. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395286949740.html