On February 16, the Twelfth Doha Conference on interreligious dialogue started in Qatari capital Doha - one of the most respected meetings on this subject, which traditionally brings together leaders of Abrahamic religious traditions and the state officials responsible for the formation and implementation of the official policy of the plane of relations with religious institutions in their countries.
The officially defined this year's theme is “The spiritual and intellectual security in the light of religious doctrines.” The conference was opened by Qatari Justice Minister Dr Hassan Bin Ladan Al Mohannadi. The event also was attendedby the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Minister of Islamic Affairs of Maldivian state Dr. Ahmad Ziad, and about three hundred prominent church leaders, theologians and representatives of government, civic and various ecumenical and interreligious organizations. For the first time within the framework of the Forum, Ukraine represented not only by a Muslim community member, as it had been the case but by the full delegation. The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine is represented by the Director of the Department for Religions and Nationalities Andriy Yurash and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Ambassador of Ukraine in Qatar Yevhen Mikitenko. In addition, visitng the capital of Qatar were well-known religious figures in Ukraine - the official speaker of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Chernihiv Yevstratii (Zorya) and founder of the Ukrainian Center for Interreligious Dialogue and Communication Dr Sheikh Imad Abu Alrub. The Forum participants focused on the role of religion in ensuring spiritual security and stability of modern societies, searching and discussing ways in which you can attain the expected positive results.