On Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 and 13 September 2017, on 21 and 22 Dhu al-Hijjah 1438 AH, and under the patronage of His Excellency President Michel Aoun, the University of Al Maaref University (MU) and the Lebanese Society for the Advancement of Science in Beirut (LAAS) organized the first international conference that held the title of: “Towards a Culture of Dialogue between Religions”.

After the opening ceremony, the participants discussed in five sessions, divided over two days, the following thematic axes:

1. The first axis: The formation of religious culture and intellectual pluralism.
2. The second axis: The obstacles of dialogue between religions.
3. The third axis: The role of religious institutions in the culture of dialogue
4. The Fourth axis: The institutions of dialogue
5. The fifth axis: The future of dialogue.

In the light of what the researchers over two days have dealt with in their papers and interventions, the two academic institutions, MU and LAAS formed a committee to prepare for the final recommendations. In the presence of Professor Ali Alaeddin, President of Al Maaref University and Professor Naim Awaini President of the Lebanese Association for the Advancement of Science as well as Professor Talal Al-Atrissi, the Scientific and Academic advisor for Al Maaref University, concluded the conference and read the following recommendations:

First Level: General recommendations

1. To start from the humanity of man based on the principle of divine entrustment on governing Earth to build it according to the optional integrated objective that is aimed at finding a common ground for dialogue.
2. To benefit from the yearning of humanity to the language of dialogue and meeting, to enhance a culture of dialogue and recognition of the other who is different as opposed to the culture of exclusion or exclusivity.
3. To transform the culture of dialogue into social education and practice, instituted on the principles of openness and trust in dialogue with others.
4. To support the various civil, civic, educational, youth and media institutions active in the field of dialogue and acceptance of the other.
5. To pay attention to projects of external incitements that fuel the culture of conflict, fighting and exclusion.
6. To affirm the call of Lebanese President Michel Aoun to have Lebanon becoming a center for interfaith dialogue.

Second Level: At the level of educational institutions (Universities and Religious Institutes)

1. To establish a system of educational values that govern the enhancement of the culture of dialogue.
2. To confirm having intellectual diligence (Ijtihad) to generate cognitive patterns that help in creating a climate of dialogue.
3. To launch new academic majors focused on the interfaith dialogue in the faculties of humanities.
4. To revisit and review the educational curricula that may offend religions and sects.
5. To check for fallacies, lies and legacies so to purge the historical memory of the destructive impurities in the interreligious relationship.
6. To activate and support youth cultural, scientific, sports and other clubs to attract different members of the sects to them and to build a common social fabric.

Third Level: On the media level

1. To employ various media channels (video, audio, print and electronic) to promote and enhance dialogue and openness to the other.
2. To unify and standardize the terms that serve the culture of rapprochement and dialogue between religions.
3. To take benefit from the experiences of history, to evoke those critical moments of dialogue and meetings between religions.

In conclusion, the organizers will set up a follow-up committee that must work on these recommendations in different sectors of society.

Al Maaref University and the Lebanese Association for the Advancement of Science expressed their gratitude for all those who participated in and contributed to the presentation of ideas and proposals, indicating that any subsequent thoughts and proposals that could support the outcomes of the Conference and the proposed Committee’s tasks.