Religions and human advancement do not contradict each other, UAE's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed said, stressing that the current stage requires rational faith that gives the human being a peace of mind.
Speaking at the closing of the first day of the 7th World Government Summit in Dubai, Sheikh Abdullah said Saudi Arabia is a model for achieving a balance between religion and development.
He added that the Kingdom serves the Islamic religion through its local and international religious institutions, while presenting a unique model for civil development.
Sheikh Abdullah addressed the recent visit of Pope Francis to the UAE and his meeting with Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmad al-Tayeb, saying it has opened a new page in the history of religious dialogue.
He added that the meeting “pushed inter-religious dialogue into new era.”
Religions never incite hatred and violence, but have been misused by extremists to distort public perceptions, Sheikh Abdullah indicated, urging leaders to take up responsibility of peace and be brave to end conflicts.
As of next year, the Human Fraternity Document, signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam, will be part of the educational curriculum in schools and universities.
The document calls on people across the globe to unite to bring about inter-faith harmony and achieve peace.
Sheikh Abdullah hailed the “Zayed International Fund for Co-existence” announced last week, explaining it will financially support initiatives that fulfill the points outlined in the Human Fraternity Document.
A training program to educate teachers to become messengers of peace and reduce tensions in communities to lead people away from violence will also be developed, he said.
