Speech of Mansoor Saleh Al Minhali, Special Representative of the General Agency on Islamic Affairs and Awkafs (Religious Endowments) of the United arab Emirates

In the name of Gracious and Merciful Allah! Glory to Allah, the Lord of all worlds! May Allah bless our prophet, his family and his associates!

On my own behalf and on behalf of my colleagues, members of delegation of the United Arab Emirates, I would like to express my appreciation to His Excellency Mr. President Nursultan Nazarbayev for the invitation to participate in this forum, which unites world religious leaders. Also I express special gratitude for warm welcome and hospitality.

Taking an opportunity I would like to accentuate the value of inter-religious dialogue. All of us agree with you that such dialogue is very important for us and it is a unique sensible way, which can bring mankind to peaceful co-existence, security and to exception of all forms of demonstration of extremism and violence.

An importance of meeting of leaders of world and traditional religions proceeds from the fact that there are conflicts in the world managed on behalf of religion and belief. Wars are unleashed under the pretence of religion.

Religions and God cover everyone who wants to make something. The value of meetings of leaders of world and traditional religions consists in resisting to this tendency, which is used for unleashing of conflicts and wars.

The second moment, on which I would like to stop. What pushes leaders of world and traditional religions to dialogue? It is because between followers of different religions is much common. This is belief in one God, the creator of this world and the manager of it. All are unanimous in value of human rights, justice, good actions, mercies, respect to eldest, mercies to youngest, and that there is no discrimination on color of skin, races or ethnos. All these principles, human, humane, moral, are common for all religions. The general spaces between us are great. If to use this space and if there is good intention and good strong will, sincere will in the given direction, then we could use this general space and transform it into projects of mutual cooperation. Undoubtedly, this cooperation between religions will transform into appreciable reality. It is the second moment of value of inter-religious dialogue.

The separation form distinctions, especially on account of belief and faiths, is among the principles, which should be provided in inter-religious dialogue. The Koran tells: "You have your own faith, I have my own faith". The Moslem cannot become a Christian or a Jewish. The Christian cannot become a Moslem. The Jewish cannot become a Christian or a Moslem. These questions are not subject to discussion. It is the best way to carry on a dialogue on common issues, which concern the common interests. Perhaps, the most general interest up today in the world is a peaceful co-existence and destruction of any attempt of unleashing wars, collision of civilizations. Among practical steps, which religious leaders should undertake is the encouragement of justice and proclamation of the rapprochement principle between religions.

In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation once more to the Republic of Kazakhstan for this action. I want to note that we have what is necessary for tolerance, freedom of worship and that all believers follow postulates of their religions in the United Arab Emirates due to the help of Allah and in accordance with the heritage left by the founder of this state.

Thank you for attention.