The Religious Dialogue Conference

Jewish scholars to join religious dialogue forum
From Gina Coleman (Our correspondent)

27 June 2005

DOHA — Jewish scholars will join their Muslim and Christian counterparts in Qatar for the Doha Third Conference for Religious Dialogue, to be held on June 29 and 30. Rabbis from Israel and from other parts of the world will attend the opening session, but it is understood that only those from outside Israel will participate in the actual discussions.

The two previous inter-religious dialogue conferences in Qatar were arranged by the Anglican and Catholic churches; this time, the event is being organised by the Faculty of Shariah at Qatar University. Sessions will be open, and the inclusion of Jewish scholars follows the recommendation by the Amir, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a speech read on his behalf by the Prime Minister at the last conference.

Outlining the event, Dr Aisha Al Mannai, Dean of the Faculty of Shariah at Qatar University and Chairperson of the Conference Organising Committee, said some 86 delegates will be participating in the discussions, to be held at the Four Seasons, Doha. It is appropriate, she said, that all three religions should be represented. Two representatives from the Vatican will join their Anglican and Greek Orthodox colleagues, she added, pointing out that the university had attempted to include all major Christian sects in the dialogue.

Qatar, she said, has developed an environment of democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of dialogue, and the conference is being held in that context.