Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Derei, the head of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat, emphasized that in today’s world, integration is not just a theoretical option but an existential necessity.
He stated that a future built on strong foundations of mutual understanding and collaborative efforts is crucial. The cooperation among different religious messages, their leaders, and followers is essential for creating a more peaceful and stable future. He highlighted the current need for societies and communities to foster a culture of tolerance, dialogue, and acquaintance, integrating these values into educational, religious, and social frameworks to become intrinsic parts of modern human development.
This was articulated during his speech at the opening session of the eighth conference of world and traditional religious leaders, held in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on September 17-18. The event, themed “Interreligious Dialogue: Collaboration for a Better Future,” featured the participation of His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, along with delegations from various nations aimed at enhancing dialogue among religious leaders and addressing common challenges.