Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, made a donation of $60,000 to the Minaret of Freedom Institute as a continuation of the Foundation's commitment to promote interfaith dialogue, said a press release Sunday. The Foundation previously donated $72,000, to support the institute's programs. Since 1993 the Minaret of Freedom Institute, based in Bethesda, Maryland, has devoted its efforts to counter misconceptions about Islam, to show the origins of certain modern values that came out of Islamic civilization and to educate society about the importance of liberty and free markets. The institute advances this mission through academic papers, op-ed pieces, lectures, and public events. Their network is diverse encompassing administration officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academic professors, think tank researchers, and others who share the principle common quest to strengthen the understanding between the East and West. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, Ph.D. is the President-Director of the Minaret of Freedom Institute. Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation – Lebanon works internationally to tackle poverty, provide rapid aid in cases of natural disasters and provide women and youth in the MENA region with economic and educational opportunities through strategic philanthropic investments in sustainable projects of the Foundation's various partner organizations. The Foundation also reframes perceptions of Islam and the West through dialogue, programs and educational centers around the world in order to promote a greater understanding between the different faiths and world views.
