Award Ceremony
UN Church Center, Tillman Chapel
Thursday, 16 July 2015
The High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser reiterated his commitment to global peace during a gathering on July 16, 2015 at UN Church Center celebrating the launch of FR James Channan OP book “Path of Love – A Call for Intertfaith Harmony.” In his book, FR Channan describes his experience dedicated to a true Christian-Muslim dialogue at the community level in Pakistan, recognizing that “A multicultural and multireligious heritage (…) includes several guiding principles and traditions which point to and encourage the way forward.” The experience of FR James Channan OP reinforces the crucial role played by religious leaders when they step up in unity for diversity. His new publication merges with the outcomes reached at the UNAOC High-Level Thematic Debate on “Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation: Fostering Peaceful, Inclusive Societies and Countering Violent Extremism,” convened on April 21-22, 2015.
In his remarks, delivered on his behalf by Ms. Hanifa Mezoui, PhD, UNAOC Senior Advisor on Humanitarian Affairs and Civil Society, he pointed out that interfaith, cross-cultural dialogue and development are closely interlinked issues, since the moral imperatives of all religions call for peace, tolerance and cohesion.
The event was organized by the Institute of International Social Development, and a coalition of interfaith-based NGOs with Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC.