JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s deputy culture minister met with the head of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) for talks on joint cooperation initiatives. The meeting between Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez and the high representative for the alliance, Miguel Angel Moratinos, took place at the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s headquarters in the historic Al-Bujairi district of Diriyah.
The United Nations
Underlining that “diversity is a richness, not a threat”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for greater investment in promoting social cohesion and tackling bigotry in a message on Wednesday to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
“We must continue to push for policies that fully respect human rights and religious, cultural and unique human identity”, he said in a pre-recorded video broadcast during a commemorative event held online, organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“As the Holy Quran reminds us: nations and tribes were created to know one another.”
‘Epidemic’ of hatred
Nearly 60 countries are members of the OIC, which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Campaign aims to foster respect for religious freedom, sites
The project is part of a global call to action to foster solidarity and protect religious sites and worshippers Catholic News Service Updated: February 25, 2021 04:58 AM GMT
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UNAOC was launched in 2005. (Photo: armacad.info)
Catholic Extension has joined the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations to engage youth around the globe in raising awareness of religious freedom and cultivating interreligious respect through a campaign called #forSafeWorship.
The campaign is part of a global call to action to foster solidarity and protect religious sites and worshippers.
Catholic Extension is collaborating with the alliance, known as UNAOC, through a special storytelling project designed to celebrate the universality of religious sites as symbols of our shared humanity, history and traditions, said a news release from the Chicago-based organization.
The International Judo Federation, represented by Mr. Marius L. Vizer (President) and the United Nations of Civilisations, represented by H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos (High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to unite their forces, to 'explore the roots of polarisation between societies and cultures today and to recommend a practical programme of action to address this issue,' as stated by the UN organisation.
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“Around the world, deep-seated discrimination, acts of intolerance and hate crimes persist against people simply because of their religion or belief, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation”, he said in a video broadcast during a commemorative event, held online.
Describing these “vile acts” as an affront to human rights and UN values, he underscored how cultural diversity and freedom of belief are part of the “rich tapestry” of humanity.
“As we commemorate the International Day of Human Fraternity, let us commit to do more to promote cultural and religious tolerance, understanding and dialogue.”
Dialogue across ‘the faith spectrum’
The designation of 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity is the result of a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in December, which was co-sponsored by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).