Trends Research and Advisory in partnership with the Ministry of Tolerance and the University Platform "PLURIEL" "Islam and Human Fraternity" Conference ends after 3 Days of Dialogue

The "Islam and Human Fraternity" conference, organized by Trends Research and Advisory in partnership with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, and the University Platform for the Study of Islam "PLURIEL", concluded yesterday evening in the presence and patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

The conference, which coincided with the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity and the International Day of Human Fraternity, was attended by 86 specialists and researchers from 40 universities and research institutions from 4 continents and 27 countries.

The conference dealt with core topics related to human fraternity, through 12 research seminars and 5 lectures, focusing on: the geopolitical challenges of the document on human fraternity, the  problem of understanding it, its link to minority rights, the theological origins and repercussions of human fraternity, experiences and analyses in different national contexts, dialogue challenges in the document on human fraternity.

The final statement of the conference stressed the importance of the Human Fraternity Document as a global reference for promoting tolerance and coexistence among religions and cultures, and called for its activation through practical programs and initiatives at various levels.

The participants said that the conference ended the isolation between research institutions in the Arab world and the West, by providing a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas on important issues such as human fraternity and peace.

The conference stressed the importance of scientific dialogue among different cultures and civilizations to promote human fraternity and achieve world peace. The conference called for the development of a critical and pluralistic approach to evaluate the Human Fraternity Document, and to emphasize the importance of Arab discourse in studies related to human fraternity.

The conference also stressed the need to identify the challenges facing human fraternity, such as the rise of extremist currents. It called for the publication of research papers submitted in three languages, French, Arabic, and English. It called for continuous promotion of the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of Trends Research and Advisory, praised the efforts made by the conference participants, and stressed the significance of continuous work on the message of the conference in the future.

Dr. Al-Ali thanked all those who supported the conference, especially His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church. Dr. Al-Ali thanked the experts, specialists, researchers and media professionals who contributed to the conference and its discussions. This level of active contribution highlights the impact of the Human Fraternity Document for Coexistence, its future prospects and the necessity of the practical application of its principles.

"As I pointed out at the opening of the conference, its effectiveness will not end today, but will extend until the publication of the research papers submitted to the conference in three versions: in French at the Institute of Oriental Studies in France and Egypt, in Arabic at Trends Research and Advisory, and in English at Routledge Publishing house.

The discussions continued for the third day. The first theme was about the origins and theological repercussions of human fraternity, where Abdullah Hamed Al-Afri, of the Heritage Center, University of Science and Technology, Egypt, presented an analysis of the terms and reconsidered some ambiguous texts. He stressed that the legal texts affirmed human fraternity in Islam, and confirmed that it entails rights and duties.

Samir Arbache, of the Catholic University, in Lille, France, said that religious texts emphasize human fraternity, while Marie-Dominique Menassian, from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, referred to the experience of the region of Tibhirin (Algeria), which offers a way and approach to coexistence in the face of the darkest circumstances and the most difficult challenges.

Stefano Luca, member of the Interprovincial Theological Study Program of Laurentianum, Venice, stressed the importance of rethinking Christian and Islamic theology in the light of the Document on Human Fraternity. He referred to what he called rational fraternity, which can be achieved through dialogue.

Abdelaziz Rajil, of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Casablanca, Morocco, touched on the story of the Prophet Joseph, peace be upon him, in the Holy Qur'an, as an introduction to human fraternity. The story highlights in part the basic requirements of human fraternity, which the Prophet Joseph, peace be upon him, actually embodied in his actions and relations with his social environment.

Emmanuel Pisani, Institute of Dominican Oriental Studies, Egypt and France, presented an experience in fraternity. He indicated that by following the life and the writings of Christian de Cherge, we obtain a theoretical and practical example of open fraternity between Christians and Muslims.

Dominique Avon, from the Sorbonne University, Paris, noted that the Document on Human Fraternity opens a window for hope, while Jean-Jacques Perennes, Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies, in Cairo, explained that the Document on Human Fraternity is an attempt to find what religions can contribute to the path of peace and human fraternity. He said the document consolidates and expands the Catholic approach to Muslim-Christian dialogue.

Patrice Brordeur, University of Montreal, Canada, spoke about the new official initiatives of Catholic-Muslim Dialogue in Canada following the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. The initiatives aim promote dialogue between local Catholic and Muslim communities across Canada, and to monitor critique and deconstruct media coverage of extremist behaviors.

Ibrahim Gemeah, from Al-Azhar University, stressed the importance of the role of religion and interfaith dialogues in the study of international relations and peacemaking.

Khalid Al Madhani from the Federal Public Prosecution in the UAE said that the socio-legal perspective of the UAE's efforts to achieve the principles of the Human Fraternity Document transformed all the principles and provisions of the Human Fraternity Document into policies, decisions and legislative texts that promote thinking and change in the social and legal fields. This has been achieved by establishing an integrated and comprehensive legal system that guarantees the rights of all segments of society with different beliefs and eliminates differences between them.

Yanuardi  Skyurur, Khairun University, Indonesia, reviewed the Indonesian situation in receiving the document of human fraternity through the most important actors in the Indonesian religious scene. She explained the interaction of Indonesian society with the concept of human fraternity.

Sedomir Nestorovic, Faculty of Higher Management, France, addressed the experience of Singapore, noting that it is a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. The basis of political stability there is harmony and fraternity among all religions.

Antonio Cucinello, from the University of the Sacred Heart, Italy, reviewed the status of Islam and Muslims in Italian public schools in light of the Abu Dhabi Document, by shedding light on the cultural and religious diversity of Italian schools as a model of multicultural education.

After a short break, discussions were resumed on the dialogue challenges of the Document on Human Fraternity.

Sylvestre Oliver, University of Louvain, Belgium, said that in Africa, interfaith dialogue is the foundation of stability and social cohesion in many countries, especially in the Sahel region.

Livia Pasalacqua, from the Gregorian University, Rome, said that the document of human fraternity relates to humanconscience. She indicated that it has become a necessity for everything that Christians and Muslims are trying to achieve in the field of coexistence and human cooperation for a peaceful and prosperous world.

Antoine Corban, from Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon, stressed that dialogue and exchange of interreligious and intercultural encounters in our contemporary and globalized world reflect human empathy and diversity. Dialogue is essential to understanding and appreciating our differences while recognizing our common belonging to the human family.

Benjamin Latouche, University of Lyon, France, said in an intervention on interfaith dialogue to achieve interreligious fraternity, that interfaith dialogue is the best way towards fraternity, and focused on the case study of the mission "Ismérie", an association founded by secular Catholics in 2020 and based in France, whose mission is to dialogue with Muslims, and work for a better knowledge about Islam.

Wassim Salman, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Rome, said that Imam Ahmad al-Tayeb enjoys a prominent position on the world stage, thanks to his humanitarian positions and the "Human Fraternity" document. Pope Francis also stresses the deep bonds of friendship that bind him to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in his message on fraternity and social friendship." He focused on understanding the concept of brotherhood in the thought of Imam al-Tayyib, through the renewal of religious thought, and the adoption of an open approach in understanding religious texts, which allows dialogue, religious freedom and the fight against fanaticism.

Rita Faraj, from the Al-Mesbar Center, focused on discussing the case of Youakim Moubarac, a Lebanese thinker specializing in Islamic sciences, who participated in the formation of a subcommittee on Islam under the guidance of the Vatican. He had comments on the documents of the Second Vatican Council. He was interested in the authenticity of Abrahamic Islam and called for full recognition of the place of Islam in the Abrahamic religious world. In turn, Assia Chekerib, Prince Abdelkader University, Algeria, presented an intellectual analysis of the "Human Fraternity" project. She stressed the intersection of the document with the innate brotherhood of all human beings, focusing on common human values, and the importance of placing the human being as an ultimate goal and promoting human fraternity as an end in itself. Hans Kung's project called for "Global Ethics", and hoped to be integrated with the "Human Fraternity" document, in order to pay attention to common values and promote peaceful coexistence between religions.

At the end of the conference, Trends Research and Advisory and the University Platform for the Study of Islam signed an agreement on research cooperation in the field of Islamic studies.

The agreement shall facilitate the exchange experiences, information and relevant studies. The two parties shall conduct joint seminars, conferences and events. They shall publish joint research and studies, and encourage the exchange of researchers and experts.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of Trends Research said, "The signing of this agreement with the University Platform for the Study of Islam represents an important step in enhancing research cooperation and conduct of joint studies. He expressed his confidence that this agreement will promote knowledge, support human fraternity, and spread its core values among the widest segments of society."

Michel Younes, coordinator of the University Platform for the Study of Islam, said: "We are pleased to sign this agreement with Trends Research and Advisory. We hope that it will enhance cooperation between us. He stressed the significance of cooperation between academic institutions and research centers to promote a correct understanding of ideas and events.