Paris: Under the delegation of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr. Mohammed Said Al Ma’amari, the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, led the delegation of the Sultanate of Oman to the "International Meeting for Peace" held in Paris, under the auspices of the theme "Imagine Peace." The conference is scheduled to conclude on the 24th of September, 2024.
During the proceedings, Dr. Mohammed extended the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the attendees, alongside expressing His Majesty the Sultan's earnest wishes for the success of the conference.
Dr. Mohammed emphasized that the Sultanate of Oman places a high priority on peace, citing the state's Basic Law of the State, which states that "peace is the goal of the state." He affirmed that Oman is steadfast in its commitment to a global vision that supports the realization of this goal.
"In the Sultanate of Oman, owing to our heritage of flexibility and wisdom deeply ingrained in our history, we have recognized the immense value of human connections and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. We have dedicated ourselves to nurturing a spirit of friendship, understanding, respect, and coexistence with all, grounded in the belief that we are not solitary entities but are part of a global community, interconnected and bound by humanitarian goals and a shared destiny,” Dr. Mohammed elaborated.
He further stated that, through a steadfast commitment to this humanitarian approach, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's position as a beacon of human relations and peace.
"In line with these principles, we in the Sultanate of Oman, in collaboration with the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, have initiated a series of projects aimed at fostering dialogue between religions and cultures, and promoting the values of tolerance, understanding, and coexistence," Dr. Mohammed added.
The minister highlighted that the international peace meeting takes place at a critical juncture in global history, marked by significant repercussions and profound transformations. We are currently experiencing a period of historical significance, where the conflict between forces advocating for discord and division and those advocating for unity and cohesion has reached a critical turning point, Dr. Mohammed noted. He emphasized that this conflict underscores the importance of recognizing that the consequences of our actions today will echo across present and future generations.
The Minister observed that individuals contemplating the current state of the world would discern a profound contradiction within the notion of peace. "We, as human beings, have developed technologies intended to benefit the global populace, alongside international communication networks designed to foster closer connections among individuals, and institutions committed to the construction and maintenance of peace," he stated.
He elaborated that the world and its societies are confronted with fresh and evolving challenges. These challenges encompass cyber-attacks aimed at destabilizing nations and undermining public trust in their institutions through the dissemination of false news and information. Additionally, ideological and intellectual extremism, unsatisfied with mere theoretical disagreements, advocate for discord, violence, and the violation of international treaties and covenants to meddle in the affairs of societies and infringe upon their privacy, the Minister noted. These issues transcend physical boundaries, challenging both the theoretical and practical frameworks of stability, development, and the culture of peace.
The Minister emphasized, "It is imperative that peace assumes a central role and is realized as a concrete reality; it is time for all parties to acknowledge that the path to achieving this reality is paved by our actions, words, and our readiness to bridge divides." He called for a renewed dedication to this noble humanitarian cause.
Upon concluding his speech, Dr. Mohammed expressed his hope that this assembly would serve as a catalyst for writing a new chapter in the annals of history for our world. He envisioned a future where peace is not merely an exception but a fundamental principle from which future generations could derive the values of brotherhood, solidarity, and cooperation. This vision would guide us towards a brighter, more secure, and peaceful future.
