Lubna Al Qasimi takes part at International Al Azhar Peace Conference

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, has stressed the importance of working harder to achieve peace and promote the values of tolerance, harmony, co-existence and mutual understanding among all the different races, colours, religions, cultures and beliefs.

She added that practical steps should be taken to achieve this global demand without relying solely on the theoretical aspects, noting that the UAE has done this thanks to the directives from its higher leadership.

"The UAE has taken multiple legislative, religious, cultural and media procedures, notably enacting the anti-discriminatory law issued in 2015," she said.

Sheikha Lubna made the remarks during her participation at the Al Azhar International Peace Conference in Cairo, Egypt, on 27th and 28th April, along with a number of religious leaders from around the world, led by the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb of Al Azhar Al-Sharif, Chairman of Muslim Council of Elders, and Pope Francis of the Catholic Church.

"This international conference on peace is based on the values of divine religions and noble humanitarian principles. It is, therefore, an important opportunity at a sensitive time to call on all peoples of the world to reject destructive ideas and beliefs that incite hatred, and discrimination, to build bridges of communication and dialogue among different religions, cultures and peoples, and promote tolerance, co-existence, peace and respect for the values of pluralism and acceptance of others intellectually, culturally and religiously,"

the UAE minister said.

Sheikha Lubna thanked the Muslim Council of Elders, led by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb of Al-Azhar, for the efforts exerted by the council to correct misconceptions about the tolerant Islam religion and promoting the culture of peace, tolerance and harmony, as well as consolidating communication and understanding with different religions, cultures, faiths and sects alike.

"Hence, the council has become a beacon of peace and a platform for dialogue and reference to correct misunderstandings. It is a source of strength and attraction, and enjoys universal acceptance among various religious institutions and international organisations, given its efforts in terms of holding events and conferences that contribute positively to bringing common concepts closer."

The conference dealt with a number of topics related to the role of religions towards the consolidation of world peace and promotion of the culture of dialogue. The four main axes focussed on the issues of marginalisation and exclusion, and their roles in fanning extremism, and seriousness of misinterpretation of religious texts and its impact on world peace. It also touched on poverty and disease as reasons for deprivation and internal conflict. The forum also discussed the culture of peace in religions between reality and hope.