Under Patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Education Minister Inaugurates Peaceful Coexistence International Conference

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan inaugurated the proceedings of the international conference titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence” on Saturday evening. The event took place at the conference building in the university city of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) in Riyadh.
The conference, hosting elite scholars, thinkers, and intellectuals, as well as over 38 international participants and educational entities from around the world, is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Character Enrichment Program. It aims to promote values of national belonging and peaceful coexistence through six main axes: correct doctrine, national belonging, peaceful coexistence, moderation and temperance, sustainable development, and mechanisms and means to enhance national belonging.
During his speech, the education minister expressed gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership for their generous care and support provided to the education sector. Al-Benyan emphasized that the conference reflects the Kingdom's commitment to establishing a language of partnership and mutual responsibility with the world, wishing everyone success and prosperity.
He urged all universities to play a crucial role in implementing effective programs that cultivate values of informed citizenship, commitment to national identity, and the promotion of peaceful coexistence. The minister stressed the importance of establishing principles of human brotherhood based on tolerance, coexistence, and respect for others' values and beliefs to protect the cultural security system, intellectual awareness, and to build resilient communities while preparing conscious generations.
Moreover, he highlighted that the conference serves as a broad gateway to sustainable opportunities, hoping it will achieve its goals and objectives in showcasing the Kingdom's efforts in spreading a culture of moderation and its pioneering initiatives in enhancing cultural communication and peaceful coexistence.
He expressed his desire for the conference to serve as a scientific resource for universities to exchange ideas and experiences, and to create opportunities for cooperation and integration that serve the conference's desired goals.
Meanwhile, the Mufti of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Shanqeeti, emphasized in his speech the importance of the Kingdom’s role and its status. He stated, "Saudi Arabia, with its pioneering position in the world, plays a prominent role in serving Islam, Muslims, and humanity, enhancing values of belonging that contribute to the stability, development, and prosperity of nations, to achieve prosperity for peoples, security, and peace.”