Press Release
Press releases about the official inauguration
International Centre for Dialogue opens in Lebanon
by Oman News
Beirut- May 11 (ONA)--- Lebanese President Michel Sulaiman opened today the International Centre for Dialogue / Liqaa of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East' in Rabweh, east of Beirut. The centre has been established with the support of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed al Salmi, Awqaf and Religious Affairs Minister, a number of ministers in the Lebanese caretaker government, Mohammed bin Khalil bin Saleh al Jazmi, the Sultanate's ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani, Mufti of Lebanon and a number of political, military, religious, judicial and media personalities, as well as a number of ambassadors in Lebanon.
Habib bin Mohammed al Riyami, Secretary General of the Sultan Qaboos Centre for Islamic Culture stressed the importance of coexistence, understanding and communication among nations and peoples. He added that dialogue should be the medium and approach for guiding humanity towards peace and tranquillity.
In his speech at the inauguration ceremony, he said “discussion, thought and dialogue is the approach followed by the Sultanate of Oman according to a clear vision and constant guidance by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.”
He stressed that “all heavenly religions have given supremacy to the voice of conscience, quiet dialogue and in-depth study of the developments of the age. These are the most common traits of all religions.”
At the conclusion of his speech, Habib bin Mohammed al Riyami hoped that the centre would remain a beacon for thought leading to the welfare of humanity and addressing its affairs in a balanced manner. He hoped that the centre will be a platform for the expression of thought, communication and dialogue with countries of the world to enhance bonds of trust, communication and dialogue.
On his part, Monsignor Gabriele Caccia, the new Papal Ambassador to Lebanon, said in a speech in the name of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri that “in a world full of strife and absence of real dialogue, it has become a necessity to open areas for meetings and promoting the understanding of the other party.” He wished the new centre to be a place of inspiration.
On his part, the current Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Gregorios III said in his speech that the “Liqa'a Centre aims at being a local and international centre for dialogue between people in humanity, religion, culture, civilization, industry, politics, thought and aspirations.”
He pointed out that this edifice would not have seen the light without the grant of His Majesty the Sultan. The centre is a joint project between the Sultanate of Oman and Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate and the Patriarchal Love Link project in the Sultanate of Oman.
At the end of the ceremony, the plaque of the centre was unveiled.