Padua, Italy – Representing Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue, envoy Dr. Khalid Aliwi Al-Ardawi participated in a panel discussion titled "Our Roots in Human Fraternity" in the northeastern Italian city of Padua. Organized in collaboration with the Forum, the event brought together various religious organizations and institutions.
Al-Ardawi stated, "Our participation aligns with Al-Nabaa Forum's focus on institutional cooperation and promoting the language of dialogue." He added that it also reflects the Forum's ambition to engage the international community, project a positive image of Iraq, and introduce its rich heritage and civilization.
During the event, Al-Ardawi delivered a speech on behalf of Forum Head Ali Al-Talaqani, which emphasized that Iraq attaches great importance to dialogue and its prospects following years of instability.
Al-Talaqani’s speech included, "Today, Iraq attaches great importance to dialogue and its prospects, especially after the country endured severe shocks and the ISIS group seized large territories. These events resulted in atrocities that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens across different religions and sects, leading to massive waves of displacement, violence, murder, and starvation."
The address outlined the Forum's objectives at the conference, calling for the launch of a genuine interfaith dialogue aimed at mutual understanding and effective communication. It urged participants to overcome the complex crises involving political systems and extremist religious groups, warning against abandoning dialogue, continuing to fear the “other,” or failing to establish objective frameworks for dialogue.
Al-Talaqani’s speech stressed that successful dialogue does not require absolute agreement at every stage. Instead, respect for diverse perspectives rooted in different cultural and intellectual backgrounds underscores the need for conscious dialogue based on understanding, cooperation, and communication before any attempt at persuasion.
"The prospects for dialogue in Iraq require a deep reading that avoids reducing one religion or civilization to another," the speech noted, adding that this approach would create multiple, respect-based platforms for interfaith discussions.
To fulfill their humanitarian roles and build noble values, religious communities must focus on the spiritual dimensions of divine religions to encourage moderate behavior within societies, the address argued. It positioned the Forum’s participation as a reflection of its deep belief that interfaith dialogue must evolve beyond theology to encompass culture, cooperation, and standing against tyranny, violence, hunger, wars, hegemony, and conflict.
Tracing the history of religious discourse, the speech noted that interfaith dialogue is not a modern phenomenon but a historical constant. It highlighted that the core teachings of Islam provide a strong foundation for successful coexistence, pointing out that the Quranic vision does not differentiate between prophets and messengers, uniting them through faith.
The speech concluded by stating, "We are striving with all our might to establish a global religious dialogue", noting that the Forum has adopted new approaches to better identify future challenges and prospects.
The session wrapped up with a set of recommendations and insights designed to advance both local and international dialogue efforts and overcome existing barriers.
