Remarks By
H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser
The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
At
Luncheon, 22 April 2015, New York
Your Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the General Assembly
Your Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the Untied Nations
Excellencies,
Distinguished faith leaders,
Good Afternoon,
It gives me great pleasure to be hosting this lunch in your honor . Looking around the room and seeing this gathering of highly-esteemed religious leaders representing most major faiths whom we have all heard their enlightening statements throughout the morning, is a testament of the vital role that religious leaders play in our diverse communities. We, at this organization we value your role. So thank you for travelling all the way to join us in this important meeting. We certainly need your help to give meaning to the global conversation and the protection of human rights.
As I mentioned yesterday in my remarks, tolerance and reconciliation are two noble values inherent in all major faiths. But radical and terrorist groups have been disguising their ugly faces behind religions. By doing so they distort the image of faiths.. all faiths.
This is where the role of religious leaders come into play. Your words today at this universal body, the UN General Assembly about tolerance and reconciliation will be heard by thousands of people around the world. Indeed, you are messengers of peace. Your voices are respected within your respective communities , that’s why we count on you to carrying back home a message of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and tolerance.
We want this High Level Thematic Debate to culminate in more than words and declarations about tolerance for diversity. We would like to see it translated into action on the ground within your own communities.
I now give the floor to my good friend Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, whom I am sure you all know and have worked with before.