Rabat Hosts 3rd Round of Religious Bilateral Dialogue Between Morocco, Austria
The program of this third round included the organization of a scholarly seminar entitled: “The Reality of Interreligious Dialogue: Ways to Strengthen it and Achieve its Objectives” at the headquarters of the Ministry of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs, with the participation of Moroccan and Austrian specialists and scholars, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs said in a press release, adding that the members of the Austrian delegation were received by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs at the Ministry’s headquarters where the dialogue sessions were held.
During these sessions, the Moroccan-Austrian strategic relations were praised, emphasizing that this bilateral dialogue is an extension and consolidation of the bilateral relations between Morocco and Austria, which are rooted in history dating back more than two centuries, and that the religious dialogue is part of an integrated strategic dialogue that includes various aspects and areas of mutual interest.
The speakers from both sides reviewed a number of challenges facing interreligious and intercultural dialogue, discussing a number of successful models and practices.
The same source said that the Austrian delegation visited the exhibition of the Museum of the Biography of the Prophet at the ISESCO’s headquarters, and the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams Morshidin and Morshidats, where the delegation was briefed on the facilities and roles of this Institution, adding that they also visited the Dar Al-Hadith Al- Hassaniyya Foundation.
Before heading to Fez, the Austrian delegation visited Al Mowafaqa Ecumenical Institute of Theology in Rabat, a place of reflection and promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, an example of the climate of peace and brotherhood that prevails in Morocco among different religious communities, the press release added.
Afterwards, the Austrian delegation visited Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez and discussed the potential ways of cooperation in terms of training students, and the possible legal framework of intellectual exchange and cooperation with the Austrian Universities. The Austrian delegation also visited the most important religious monuments in this city.
At the end of this third round of religious dialogue, both sides of this interreligious and intercultural dialogue agreed to continue virtual exchanges by exploring the option of a joint publication containing the results and achievements of these three rounds of intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
