UNESCO CHAIR For Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies in The Islamic World
On the occasion of the International Day for the Dialogue of Civilizations, the UNESCO Chair for the Development of Interreligious Dialogue Studies, in collaboration with the Kufa Studies Center, convened an academic symposium entitled “The Dialogue of Civilizations and Its Role in Fostering Opportunities for Peace.” The event was held on the morning of Monday, the fifteenth of June, 2026, and was graced by a distinguished gathering of professors, academics, and members of both the Chair and the Center.
The symposium featured two scholarly lectures:
The First Lecture was delivered by Dr. Ra’id Ubais, Member of the UNESCO Chair, under the title “The Significance of the International Day for the Dialogue of Civilizations in Strengthening Coexistence Among Peoples.” In his address, Dr. Ubais explored the role of international commemorative days in advancing global peace and combating racism, drawing upon United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 76/468, while surveying the initiatives mounted in response to the ideology of the so-called “Clash of Civilizations.”
The Second Lecture was presented by Assistant Professor Dr. As’ad Abd al-Razzaq, of the Faculty of Jurisprudence, bearing the title “Civilizational Dialogue in the Islamic Faith.” The lecturer illuminated the Islamic foundations of dialogue as an instrument for the resolution of disputes and the mending of fractures within the human community. He affirmed that the unification of the Muslim word constitutes a foundational departure point toward a constructive global dialogue — one that honours the convictions of all peoples and sustains an enduring and principled peace.
The symposium was met with broad scholarly and cultural engagement, manifested in the wealth of interventions and searching questions raised by those in attendance. The proceedings drew to a close with a ceremony honouring the two lecturers, who were presented with certificates of appreciation by the Director of the Kufa Studies Center, in recognition of their devoted efforts in spreading a spirit of learning rooted in dialogue, exchange, and the cross-pollination of cultures.
