Ground-breaking cross cultural Muslim-Danish Forum

The Dialogue, which was held at The Millennium Hotel, Abu Dhabi, was attended by over 60 international delegates, including a 30-member delegation of young Danes, who came to the UAE under the auspices of DUF (The Danish Youth Council), based in Copenhagen.

Litaarafou took place from Friday to Monday, 14 to 17 April. Muslims from Egypt, South Africa, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, the United Kingdom and Sweden came to Abu Dhabi to take part in the dialogue. At the end of the conference, the delegates issued a joint declaration, documenting the level of new cross-cultural understanding reached after this ground-breaking initiative.

Renowned Muslim scholar, Habib Ali Aljifri, Director of the Tabah Foundation, summed up the positive results of the Dialogue: "By the grace of God, I believe that the forum achieved its primary objective, namely the building of bridges of understanding, as well as the ability to appreciate the feelings and sensitivities of the delegations. Additionally, I believe that the obstacles, that were previously an impediment to a mutual understanding of the participating delegations, have been removed."

Speaking on behalf of the Danish delegation, Mr. Jeppe Bruus, President of the Danish Youth Council said: "It was great to have this platform for such constructive and positive dialogue. Really difficult issues were placed on the table and discussed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust."

Sharaf M. Dabbagh, of Ta'aheel, who project-managed the forum, added that he regarded such cross-cultural dialogues as being essential in the modern, globalised world: "It was a privilege to be a part of such an initiative, with such eminent partners. Most importantly, everyone will leave Litaarafou with a deeper understanding of our two cultures, which can be passed on to our wider communities."

During the forum the Muslim delegates were enriched by being better informed of Western liberal ideals, and the struggle which was undertaken to achieve these ideals, and the Danish delegation in turn was able to better appreciate and understand the Muslim culture in general and the love of Muslims all over the world for Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Over the four day period a number of workshop sessions were held, as well as a media presentation, which highlighted the role of the media in the recent world-wide controversy caused by the publication of a series of cartoons depicting the Prophet.

The organisers also presented a programme of cultural enrichment, including an exhibition of Islamic art and photography, which was mounted at the Women's Union of Abu Dhabi. Among the works on display were photographs by the Saudi photographers Khadija Al Attas and Sharaf Dabbagh.