Royal Palace
Amman, Jordan
15th August 2010
Dear Mr. Mukhamejanov!
My heartfelt thanks for your recent letter in which you invite my participation in the World Forum of Spiritual Culture to be held in Astana in October this year.
Your Forum, to serve as a World Working Meeting and which aims at finding a solution to the crises affecting so many throughout the world by realizing the 'priority of spirituality and culture above other public values' is extremely important and timely. The challenge before us all is to ensure that the effects of technological development, social change and globalisation do not continue to disenfranchise or alienate sections of our societies. I believe we must face this challenge with unity and cohesion, drawing strength from our faith and from our shared values. Our future wellbeing depends on an integrated approach to humanity and human security.
It might be of interest to you that our Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue (FIIRD) situated in Geneva and over which I preside, is currently working on an analytical concordance of the shared values of the Abrahamic religions. Also, in collaboration with the University of Geneva, FIIRD is conducting a post-doctoral fellowship programme in interreligious and intercultural dialogue. This programme was established on the one hand, to promote a deeper understanding of the way of thinking of others (in both their essential and evolving aspects) and on the other hand, to work out models for thought and action that could engender and foster true comprehension amongst different religious traditions. We are now in our second year of this activity.
My very best regards
El Hassan bin Talal