Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 39 ] — RELIGIOUS LEADERS’ PLATFORM — You, ladies and gentlemen, are leaders. We are gathered here as individuals, activists, and political and religious lead- ers, with the help of God and the noble and religious values that have clearly been inspired by the ideals of peaceful coex- istence, justice, peace, generosity and common citizenship. Hence, the importance of raising awareness against fake or erroneous thoughts about religion that allow some to commit horrible acts in its name. Therefore, I would like to praise the many efforts made by KAICIID, and I wish the Dialogue Centre every success in its endeavour to support peaceful coexistence and common citizenship — support that is evi- denced by inviting all of these highly distinguished people to participate in these discussions and to exchange experiences. The launching of the campaign, United Against Violence in the Name of Religion, is especially significant in addition to many other important initiatives that constitute a quality and quantum leap in contributions to enhance dialogue and peace. We have a duty to combine our common tasks so as to send a message of peace and peaceful citizenship to the entire world, and to implement all of those common values on the ground so as to achieve peace for all humanity, and peaceful coexistence and positive exchange and interaction between all civilizations, religions and cultures. HE Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid Grand Imam of the Great Mosque of Mecca His Excellency is a former President of the Saudi Shura Council and former Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council, and is also a member of the Arabic Language Academy, Mecca. In 2016 he won the Service to Islam award from the King Faisal International Prize. Presently, His Excellency serves as Adviser to the Royal Court. He has authored more than 10 publications on Islamic studies.