Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 38 ] — INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE FOR PEACE — diversified as they spread across the world and become a dias- pora. This includes Jews, Muslims, and many other migrants fromnumerous religious and ethnic groups. When a scientist or scholar considers the idea of unity, its definition should be founded on diversity — whether that diversity is religious, ethnic or any other type that comprises humankind. This concept also applies to the state because the state has a responsibility to encompass those diverse citizens that have migrated into it. I reiterate that, when the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) spoke about migration, his objectives were unity and statehood — objectives that model the first ever comprehensive and almost perfect constitution. The Prophet’s (PBUH) biography is filled with examples that showcase the peacefulness of our religion and the impor- tance placed on noble human values such as the strengthening of dialogue, and peaceful coexistence between citizens from all states, as well as building strong relationships with neigh- bouring countries through diverse agreements. This heavenly message aims mainly to preserve human diversity and to honour God in order to achieve happiness and peace for all humankind. This is why God said that humankind has been created differently from all other crea- tures, being elevated above them. This is why humankind should preserve all values, whether religious or otherwise, to which purpose God reminded the sons of Israel that they should understand the killing of one human being to be like killing the whole of humanity. Islam has never been interested only in Muslims, but rather in all of humankind, because we care, and Islam cares, for the interests and the good of each individual, based on the five pillars. I affirm that our religion is based on mercy, justice, respect. It is especially grounded on respect of the general system of the state and the cultural and religious identities of all humankind in relation to ethical legislation and rules. However, unfortunately in our era, we have suffered conflicts in different parts of the world, but mainly in the Middle East. These conflicts are related to a conflict of interest. Some extremist groups have misused religion for their personal, evil interests against all ethical norms and reli- gious values. However, religions have nothing to do with those crimes and those fanatic and extremist groups for which killing has become a legal and daily act based upon evil and violence. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has long endured the evil acts of those evil people, which is why we have, and we are still, making every effort required of us to establish and promote dialogue. Dialogue is one of our main objectives.This is why we have created a national centre for dialogue — which has become an international centre for dialogue — so as to enable each individual to enjoy a decent life under the umbrella of human diversity and coexistence for the common good and for the protection of all against extremism and violence. For this purpose, we rely significantly on the role of religious leaders. I would like to reiterate that KAICIID is under the patron- age and protection of our kingdom in addition to that of the Kingdomof Spain, the Holy See, and the Republic of Austria. My country has always stated that our religion, and all religions, have nothing to do with the bloody deviation of extremist groups that commit horrific crimes of destruction through terrorist attacks in any form. With the support of the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince, we have made huge efforts to reject these actions and to combat violence and extrem- ism, and to reject terrorism through local, regional and international organizations including KAICIID. Given these circumstances of extremist and evil thoughts that are threatening the common good, it is unacceptable for anyone, particularly those in leadership positions, to stand aside without acting. We need to work to restore coexistence, peace, and stability, and to defend religions so as to promote their true roles. One of the major threats faced by religious groups is of their sons being falsely mobilized by destructive and extremist teachings. These young people are often not mature enough to realize that they are being exploited as instruments of destruction rather than instruments of the word of God. We need innovative solutions to eradicate violence and extremism for the first time in our history, and the International Dialogue Centre together with the United Nations are at the forefront of that change