In a speech read on his behalf by Samira El Malizi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Culture Department), during the 12th session of the Standing Committee for Information and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC), under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Bensaid highlighted Morocco’s efforts, under the wise leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, to strengthen dialogue between civilizations and cultures and preserve the cultural identity of Al-Quds.
In this regard, he indicated that Morocco has ensured to support the Maqdessis by taking into consideration their social conditions and preserving their religious and cultural heritage, specifying, in this context, that the Bayt Mal Al Qods Acharif Agency works to preserve the identity of the Holy City and its religious, cultural and civilizational character, as well as to help the inhabitants of Al-Quds.
The Minister noted that Morocco, under the leadership of HM the King, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, is sparing no effort to support all initiatives aimed at constructive engagement in the OIC programs and plans.
On the other hand, Mr. Bensaid specified that the Kingdom continues to work to support all efforts aimed at making the world a space of peaceful coexistence and solidarity, noting that “the Kingdom redoubles its efforts whenever it concerns the Islamic world.”
In this wake, he recalled the Kingdom’s unwavering attachment to the values of openness and tolerance and its permanent commitment to international efforts to build a just and stable world.
He noted that Morocco has been and will remain a land of meeting, coexistence, openness and welcome, present in its African depth, favorable to development and integration efforts, active in its Arab and Islamic environment, and a dynamic actor within the international community to fight against terrorism and promote peace and security.
In this regard, Mr. Bensaid recalled that Morocco has hosted African, Islamic and international conferences, seminars and forums related in particular to the dialogue of civilizations and religions, organized under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, such as the 9th World Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in November 2022 in Fez, and the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue last June, held in close cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.
“These meetings concretely reflect the total involvement of the Kingdom of Morocco in all initiatives aimed at protecting human rights, including those of religious minorities,” he said, noting that Morocco has put in place all the mechanisms (culture, cinema and sport) to create the conditions for a firm awareness.
The Kingdom also continues to implement the cultural strategy for the Islamic world and action plans in a commitment emanating from a centuries-old Moroccan history based on moderation and the middle ground, he concluded.
Chaired by the Senegalese Head of State, Macky Sall, the opening ceremony of this two-day meeting took place in the presence of the Deputy Secretary General of the OIC, Tarig Ali Bakheet, members of the Senegalese government, representatives of OIC member states and international organizations, members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Dakar, including the Ambassador of His Majesty the King, Hassan Naciri.
Recommendations and resolutions will be adopted during this meeting with the aim of strengthening cooperation and solidarity among the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in these five areas.
COMIAC is an organization attached to the OIC, responsible for supervising and evaluating programs and projects related to information, culture, dialogue of civilizations, tourism and youth.
It meets every two years in the presence of the relevant ministers in the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
2024-08-25 05:27:34