The Fourth Forum of Group of strategic vision “Russia – Islamic World”, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the title “The initiative of King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz on Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue: a new vision of international relations” was held in Jeddah, KSA, from 27 to 29 Shawwal 1429 Hijri (27-29 October 2008), at the kind invitation of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of foreign Affairs.
At the forum was a comprehensive discussion on the initiative of King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, Mecca Declaration, adopted at Mecca conference dialogue, Madrid Declaration, adopted at Madrid Conference on the dialogue of religions and cultures, as well as current issues in international relations.
Participants emphasized the following:
1. An important role of religions and cultures in the distribution of high human values and virtue ethics, and the need for the world’s religions and cultures to renew its call which was not heard for a while due to certain events of modern history.
2. The need for the peaceful coexistence of different peoples and cultures, combating violence and intolerance and terrorism, as well as the importance of disseminating the culture of tolerance, dignity and cooperation, based on common values of divine religions, different cultures and civilizations; cooperation in the promotion of human values.
3. The value of the historical consciousness of the previously launched dialogue between religions and cultures to study the common factors which contribute to the formation of civilized nations and multifaceted relations between them. The history of mankind shows that the dialogue among religions and cultures has never been interrupted, and that all religions, cultures and civilizations are calling on their followers to the dialogue, interaction and search for common denominators.
4. The dialogue between Russia and Islamic world is a long-time and continuous process.
5. Islam calls for the rule of the values and principles of purposeful dialogue between the followers of world religions exactly by the civilized way, which is so necessary in today’s world.
6. The essence of the concept, the parameters and objectives of the initiative of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Participants also noted the constructive efforts made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who called for a peaceful and constructive coexistence among civilizations and the denial of the doctrine of the collision between them, as well as his call for a genuine dialogue both sides of which respect each other, shrines, faith and identity of each and try to preserve their own.
7. The importance of respect for different religions, civilizations and cultures, appreciation of their call for the preservation of the values, principles and high ideals of humanism.
8. The importance of the development of appropriate mechanisms to implement King Abdullah’s initiative on interfaith and intercultural dialogue in order to achieve the desired effect in international relations, taking into account that it comes from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the cradle of Islam, where the main holy places are located.
9. The participants expressed their approval of the initiative of Group of strategic vision, which was established in Russia with the participation of Prime Minister V. V. Putin when he was President of the Russian Federation, and supported by His Excellency the President D.A. Medvedev, and praised the actions of the leadership of Saudi Arabia and Russia in connection with the development of relations between the Russian Federation and Islamic world.
10. The Participants emphasized the importance of ideas and thoughts contained in the message to the forum from His Excellency President Dmitry Medvedev on the progress of the Islamic-Russian dialogue.
The participants made the following recommendations.
1. It is necessary to support cultural centers in all countries – participants of the forum, to create more opportunities for cultural exchanges and cooperation in order to deepen mutual understanding.
2. To welcome the decision of the UN General Assembly to hold a special session at the highest level on 12-13 November this year, to present the initiative of King of Saudi Arabia on interfaith and interreligious dialogue.
3. To call upon the United Nations and relevant international organizations to use the recommendations of the Madrid Conference on the dialogue for the promotion of the initiative of King Abdullah.
4. To send a letter to UN General Secretary to support the initiative of King Abdullah and to offer the convening of a special session of the UN General Assembly on this issue.
5. To support the Russian proposal to establish an advisory council for religions at the UN.
6. Encourage the media to actively promote the values of dialogue among civilizations, culture of respect for religions, encourage the media and media corporations to set up joint programs and movies that would cover various aspects of the relationship between Islamic world and the Russian Federation.
7. To encourage educational and research institutions in the Russian Federation and Islamic world to attract more professionals to organize and carry out researches that would facilitate the approval of the noble humanist values, a culture of tolerance and mutual understanding in international relations.
8. To continue to hold meetings of Group of strategic vision “Russia – Islamic world”, focusing on the development of the mechanisms for institutionalization of the forum to strengthen the dialogue between Russia and Islamic world in order to transform the Group into an integrated, multi-functional structure.
9. To consider the idea of the creation of the General Secretariat of Group of strategic vision “Russia – Islamic world.”
10. Encourage States – members of Group of strategic vision to establish scholarships for students and teachers of universities in Russia and Islamic world, to facilitate the acquisition of academic education and exchange of experiences among young people from Russia and Islamic world; accelerate the development of the exchange visit program between professors and scientists for joint intellectual research.
11. Consider the possibility of establishing awards to individuals and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of a culture of dialogue and relations between Russia and Islamic world.
12. To express gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, the supreme ruler of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, for offering to hold the fourth meeting of Group of strategic vision “Russia – Islamic World” in Saudi Arabia, as well as for the warm hospitality they have shown with regard to the conference participants.
13. To express gratitude to His Royal Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the protectorship of the forum, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its organization and conduct.
Has been accepted on Wednesday, 29 October 2008 in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 27-29 October 2008