Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) was inaugurated here today, in the presence of a number of world leaders; UN Secretary General and other senior officials from the participating countries. The Saudi delegation to UNAOC Forum was led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In his speech during the opening ceremony, Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz said that the Kingdom has adopted dialogue among the followers of other religions and civilizations, based on mutual religious and cultural respect among various human communities, citing the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for dialogue among followers of religions and civilizations in 2008 that culminated to establish King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Global Center for Dialog Among Followers of Religions and Cultures in Vienna. Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah also stressed that regarding the dialogue issue, Saudi Arabia is emanating from a strategic vision that world peace and understanding could not be achieved but through three basic axes: providing common ground to achieve peace, stability and development of societies, respecting cultural diversity of all societies and civilizations, and the right of communities and peoples to choose their legislations. He also urged the international community to address any abuse of religions, its symbols and sacredness. -- SPA
