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New York Conference Calls for Establishing Islamic-American Cultural Forum | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Participants at the “Civilizational Interaction between the US and Muslim World” Conference, organized in New York by the Muslim World League (SPA)


New York– An international conference organized in New York by the Muslim World League and entitled “Civilizational Interaction between the US and Muslim World”, called for the establishment of a forum for American-Islamic communication to promote intellectual, cultural and scientific interaction and consolidate ties between the Islamic world and the American people.
The conference, which kicked off on Sunday, gathered a group of academics, researchers and leaders of religious, political and social organizations from around the world.

Recommendations issued at the end of the meeting on Monday underlined the importance of developing a comprehensive methodology for coordination between organizations, centers, universities and media institutions to counter radical ideologies and protect societies from their effects and repercussions.

Participants have also suggested the adoption of a long-term strategy to activate cultural communication, promote tolerance and equality, cooperate in promoting sustainable development programs, and provide a secure, stable and prosperous environment that will protect young people from extremist ideas.

Highlighting plans of “civilizational cooperation” between Islamic nations and the US, the participants highly valued the establishment of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal), which was inaugurated in May by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in the presence of US President Donald Trump.

Addressing the attendees during Sunday’s opening ceremony, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Sheikh Dr. Mohammed al-Issa called for fighting Islamophobia, racism and hatred against foreigners through the adoption of a comprehensive methodology for dialogue between the US and Muslim nations.

“This distinguished civilized relationship over the years has revealed the grave error of the Clash of Civilizations theory that was based on stirring up hatred and racism and erecting imaginary barriers,” Issa said.

“What is important is our understanding of the need for coexistence and cooperation in the light of this understanding to serve not just mutual interests, but also humanity, to promote social peace and intellectual security and to defeat evil,” he added.