Doha, April 16 (QNA) - The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), in collaboration with Qatar University, convened a distinguished scholarly seminar on Thursday examining the shared challenges confronting religions. Held under the theme "A Scientific Analysis and a Vision for Dialogue and Solutions," the symposium formed part of the "Dialogue in Universities" initiative and brought together representatives from a range of universities and academic institutions.

In his opening address, HE Chairman of DICID, Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi lauded the enduring and productive partnership between the Center and Qatar University. He underscored the significance of their joint efforts in hosting a series of high-impact intellectual and dialogue-driven events, which have enriched public discourse and served the interests of scholars, practitioners, students, and the wider community.

Dr. Al Nuaimi further emphasized the indispensable role of dialogue in addressing both convergent and divergent issues with intellectual honesty and realism. He highlighted the imperative of fostering social cohesion, drawing attention to a recent DICID roundtable titled "Strengthening Social Cohesion and Building Community Resilience in the Face of Crises," which explored the vital role of residents in standing in solidarity with the State of Qatar in times of challenge.

For his part, Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Ansari, Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University, reaffirmed the strength of institutional cooperation between the university and the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. He stressed the intellectual relevance of the symposium’s themes and commended the depth and rigor of the contributions presented by participating scholars.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Al Ansari elaborated that the seminar sought to critically engage with the evolving landscape of interfaith dialogue and the multifaceted challenges it entails. He drew particular attention to the complexities arising from non-systematic transformations within religious contexts, including their intersections with political and economic shifts. He further noted that the symposium provided a vital academic forum for researchers, students, and stakeholders to articulate, interrogate, and refine constructive responses to these pressing concerns.

The seminar featured a series of presentations addressing a broad spectrum of issues central to interfaith engagement. These included justice, equity, tolerance, coexistence, human rights, and international relations, as well as intellectual, epistemological, methodological, and societal challenges. Speakers also explored the Islamic perspective on these matters, emphasizing the principles of mutual understanding, cooperation, and the cultivation of shared ground as foundational pillars for meaningful and sustainable dialogue. (QNA)