Doha - Information Office - December 03

Winners of Qatar Global Award for Dialogue among Civilizations - second session 2019 were announced in Doha Tuesday by Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ISESCO Chair in Alliance of Civilizations at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University.

Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Abdelsalam from Egypt won the first place in this edition entitled "Migration in the Context of Cultural Dialogue" for his research entitled "The Impact of Muslim Migration on the Culture and Arts of the Far East". Dr. Bachir Khalafi from Algeria came in second place for his research "Muslim immigrants in the West between identity requirements and the requirements of citizenship".

In his speech during the ceremony announcing the winners, HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmad bin Hassan Al Hamadi said that the first place winner confirmed the depth of the impact of Muslim immigrants on the culture and arts of the Near East countries, which reflected the advancement of Islamic civilization and its positive impact on Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other Asian civilizations.

His Excellency pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work through the diplomatic missions of the State in Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul to organize cultural events to publicize the winner book of the Qatar Global Award for Dialogue among Civilizations this year and distributed to various universities, research centers and institutions, as well as cultural centers dealing with the theme of civilizational dialogue and acquaintance among civilizations to familiarize the peoples of Asia with the role played by Muslim immigrants in the civilizational, cultural and artistic construction in the countries of the Far East.

His Excellency stressed the importance of mobilizing energies in the next session of Qatar Global Award to secure a large participation, especially from researchers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

HE Dr. Al Hammadi pointed out that this award, which is the fruit of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Qatar University, is part of the executive program of the Alliance of Civilizations Plan 2018-2022 which third objective emphasized on the provision of recognition awards for outstanding research work and printing of sound research.

HE added that the cooperation between Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilization and Qatar University was not limited to the Award, but has also expanded to launch many projects, including the Encyclopedia of Occidentalism and the inclusion of the Alliance of Civilizations curriculum in the general courses required by the University's students, as well as the exchange of teachers and experts in the implementation of many programs and workshops in various fields and others.

For his part, HE President of Qatar University Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham said that the annual award, which is sponsored by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilization Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, achieved within a short time a significant in international participation, depth in the curriculum and scientific content, and an important influence in the field of civilizational dialogue in terms of creating a deep intellectual movement and a wide discussion in various topics of civilized dialogue, which is in line with the mission of Qatar University in its directions and strategy based on its qualitative excellence in Education.

He noted that Qatar University is proud of its achievements and its ability to overcome the challenges, as part of its quest to achieve its vision.

HE the President of Qatar University highlighted the efforts exerted by the State of Qatar and its distinguished initiatives and practical plans embodied by several ministries, institutions and sectors in the field of civilizational dialogue and the call for the values of tolerance, understanding, coexistence and rejection of hatred.

He explained that these Qatari efforts have been represented by major international and national initiatives since the beginning of the third millennium, especially its contribution to the establishment of the UN High Commission for the Alliance of Civilizations, organizing the Fourth United Nations Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in 2011, and the establishment of Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations and Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, and other major initiatives.

HE said that within the framework of Qatar National Vision and in the context of diligent activity and initiatives, Qatar University was keen on carrying out an active and influential role as a center for diverse scientific and knowledge expertise and academic research and a gateway for the graduation of competencies covering the needs and aspirations of the Qatari, regional and international community.

As part of its vision and mission as a scientific and intellectual society characterized by open dialogue, the freedom of exchange of ideas, constructive debates and commitment to serious research, Qatar University approved the Alliance of Civilizations curriculum at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies in 2016, and then developed it in 2018 and included it in the general knowledge courses required by each student in Qatar University starting in spring 2019, HE the President of Qatar University added.

In this context, he noted the establishment of the ISESCO Alliance of Civilizations Chair in Qatar University in 2016, the adoption of Qatar Global Award For Dialogue Among Civilizations in cooperation of Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilization, its Encyclopedia of Occidentalism project, its annual reception of the International Fellowship delegation of young student leaders in the Alliance of Civilizations, the establishment of religions and dialogue of civilizations master program, and others.

For his part, Dean of the College of Sharia at Qatar University Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Al Ansari praised the scientific level of the Award's researches this year, and said that critical subjects were addressed in an innovative and realistic manner, with deep and solid approaches to the tools of acculturation and the relationship with the other civilization.

Commenting on the occasion, Secretary-General of Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science Dr. Hamda Al Sulaiti said that the Award consolidates the constructive cooperation between the Commission, the ISESCO and the Faculty of Sharia of Qatar University, which resulted in the creation of ISESCO Alliance of Civilizations Chair in Qatar University.

Meanwhile, Academic Director of ISESCO Chair in Alliance of Civilizations Azzeddine Mamiche said that the Award committee received 132 research abstracts from 30 Arab, Islamic and foreign countries in three languages - Arabic, English and French.

He noted that the submitted researches were judged according to accurate scientific bases. The Committee decided on two researches for the first and second places, while the third place was canceled because the researches submitted did not meet the scientific conditions.

Winners of Qatar Global Award For Dialogue Among Civilizations 2019 will be honored on the sidelines of Doha Forum in mid December.

On the other hand, Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilization and Qatar University signed an agreement to promote the cooperation between the two sides to implement other programs and activities included in Qatar's plan for the alliance of civilizations.