Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the DICID, Father David Kesterton, Priest in Charge at Parish of All Saints w St Peters Luton in the Bolton suburb, and Father Ian Nicholson, Director General of the Anglican Center in Doha.
DOHA: As part of cultural communication to enhance dialogue with various Christian churches, the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) received Father David Kesterton, Priest in Charge at Parish of All Saints w St Peters Luton in the Bolton suburb, which is predominantly Muslim suburb of London.
Father Kesterton was accompanied by Father Ian Nicholson, Director General of the Anglican Center in Doha.
Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the DICID, received the visiting delegation and appreciated the efforts of the Anglican Church in its endeavours to cooperate with the DICID on many occasions in Qatar and its efforts to strengthen the relationship between the Christian communities and with the Muslims in Qatar.
The Chairman of the DICID pointed out that the 13th Conference on Inter-religious Dialogue, to be organised by the Center under the theme of “Religions and Human Rights”, will be a platform for all concerned parties. Dr Al Nuaimi called on all to participate and cooperate to make the world a safer and more peaceful place.
He stressed the importance of dialogue between all faiths and races, and discourse must be brought up to replace fanaticism and hatred based on the lowest instincts. “We are all capable to do so if we cooperated” he added.
For his part, Father David Kesterton pointed out that the Bolton suburb, where the Parish of All Saints is located, is characterised by the presence of Muslims as the majority of the population. They are in harmony with their community. There are many joint activities being conducted by the Muslims and Christians together. The father Kesterton said he is keen to share this excellent experience with DICID and the Christian Congregation, because this represents an example of coexistence and cooperation among different religious communities he stressed. Father David Kesterton tweeted by the end of his visit to Doha and about meeting the Chairman of the DICID saying, “Spending a week in Doha with my friend Fr Paul and learning about what interfaith means here. Lots to reflect on and also grateful for the established grassroots work we do in Luton and how we easily take it for granted”.
