DOHA/ Medinah: The Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said yesterday that Qatar had taken steps to implement the Cultural Strategy of the Islamic world approved in the Islamic Summit Conference in Dakar in 1991.
Addressing the eighth Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers, being held in Medinah, he praised efforts of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, especially in implementing the strategy.
He said Qatar had adopted necessary measures to contribute to implementation of the strategy, including hosting important international conferences on dialogue between religions and cultures to achieve peaceful coexistence and acceptance of others, and setting up specialized institutions concerned with the dialogue between the followers of different religions such as Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue, and Qatar Committee for Alliance of Civilizations.
He added that Qatar has also established the National Human Rights Committee to promote awareness and education on human rights and freedoms, and to cooperate with international and regional organizations concerned with human rights.
The country has attached great importance to the Arabic language, the language of the Holy Quran, to strengthen its position among other languages, as well as helping non-Arabic speakers to learn Arabic through specialised programs at Qatar University and other educational institutions.
He noted that Qatar has paid due attention to women to strengthen their position and enable them to perform their role in the society.
The Minister said he was delighted to participate in the conference, especially as it coincided with celebration of the selection of Medina as Capital of Islamic Culture for 2013 , stressing that it was the first capital of Islam from where the message of Islam was introduced to the world.
The Peninsula
