Level Meeting that was subsequently called by the General Assembly of the United Nations in November 2008 was intended to provide the broadest and highest degree of political support for all initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and mutual understanding and disseminating a culture of peace. During that Meeting, we expressed our belief that: « Terrorism and criminality are the enemies of every religion and every civilization. Our dialogue, conducted in a civilized manner, should revive and reinstate lofty ideals among peoples and nations. This will constitute a glorious triumph of what is most noble over what is most reprehensible in human beings and will give mankind hope of a future in which justice, security and a decent life will prevail over injustice, fear and poverty ». On the cultural track, Muslim religious scholars of all denominations and schools of thought gathered in Makkah in May 2008 to affirm the true nature of the Islamic religion and its message of dialogue and peace. The subsequent World Conference on Dialogue, held in Madrid from 16 to 18 July 2008 and attended by representatives of all the major religions, was, as we described it at the time, « a dialogue defending faith against unbelief, virtue against vice, justice against iniquity, peace against conflicts and wars, and human brotherhood against racism ». The Madrid Declaration that was unanimously approved stated that: "Respecting human dignity, promoting human rights, fostering peace, honoring agreements and respecting the traditions of peoples as well as their right to security, freedom and self-determination, are the basis for building good relations among all peoples. Achieving this is a major objective of all religions and prominent cultures". Serious endeavours are currently being made to establish an International Centre for Dialogue comprising representatives of all the main religions working in a fully independent manner, free from any political interference. --More
