Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ v ] n 26 February 2018, twenty-three of the highest religious authorities from Muslim and Christian institutions across the Arab region committed to work together to rebuild and protect their communities from the effects of violent extremist rhetoric and actions. In a historic initiative, they launched the first interreligious platform to advocate for the rights and inclusion of all communities in the Arab World, to combat ideologies exploiting anxiety, and instigating hatred, and sectarianism, and to jointly address the tough- est challenges their communities face. The dialogue platform is the pioneering initiative of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), an intergovern- mental organization based in Vienna, Austria. Designed to connect religious leaders with policymak- ers in the region, the platform will consist of three organs: a general assembly which will meet at least once a year, a representative committee, which will consist of the highest rank of religious leaders, and an administrative committee, which will be supported by KAICIID. The participating institutions of the platformhave agreed on a series of activities that include: v Working with local and national authorities to review existing policies and propose new policies to promote social cohesion and equal rights v Meetings with national and international policymakers to advocate for common citizenship and address the challenges in the region such as migration and resettlement v Training clergy (of all religions) on how to combat discourses of hatred and exclusion, especially when targeted at youth in their communities v Supporting a curricula of religious education adopted by member institutions that promote understanding and acceptance of those of other religions (through a focus on the historical religious diversity of the region) v Implementing at least 20 initiatives a year on issues of shared concern, with a special focus on activities that benefit young people and women. Founding Members HE Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdul-Aziz Aal-Al-Sheikh Minister of Islamic Affairs and Dawaa Dr. Ahmad Al Abbadi Secretary General, Al Rabita Al-Muhammadiyah Association for Scholars HE Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa Secretary General, Muslim World League HE Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalyleh Grand Mufti of Jordan HE Sheikh Jawwad Al-Khoei Secretary General, Al Khoei institute HE Sheikh Dr. Shawki Ibrahim Allam Grand Mufti of Egypt HB Cardinal Mar Béchara Boutros Al-Rai Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Head of Commission for Catholic Bishops of the Middle East Dr. Souraya Bechealany Acting Secretary General, The Middle East Council of Churches HE Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid Grand Imam of the Great Mosque of Mecca HE Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian Grand Mufti of Lebanon HE Sayed Ali El-Amine Grand Scholar Prof. Dr. Hichem Grissa Rector of El-Zitouna University, Tunisia HE Sheikh al-Aql Naim Hassan Head of the Druze Council in Lebanon HE Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine HE Abdul Amir Kabaln Head of The Supreme Shiite Council HH Catholicos Aram I Keshishian Head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia HB Patriarch Yoganna X Yazigi Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Rev. Dr Andrea Zaki President of the Coptic Protestant Community in Egypt The Platform O