Dubai International Peace Convention 2012 was officially opened on Thursday evening by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, at the Dubai World Trade Center. This is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

Among the world-renowned speakers to address today include Abdur Raheem Green, Abdul Bary Yahya, Muhammad Al Shareef and Dr. Zakir Naik among others.

Click here to read Dubai Peace Convention programme

The opening ceremony was graced by a constellation of Islamic thought leaders from around the world. Among the most notable guests was Sheikh Mishary Rashid Al Afasy, the guest of honour. He was joined by Sheikh Yusuf Estes, Dr Zakir Naik, Advocate Mayan Kutty Mather and several other distinguished representatives. It is also noteworthy that Sheikh Abdul Rahman Sudais, Grand Imam of the Grand Mosque, will be guest of honor and lead worshipers in Friday prayers on the second day of the conference, at the Dubai World Trade Center.

Grand Mosque imam Sheikh Sudais to lead Friday prayers

The conference began with a reading of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by an opening speech delivered by Dr. Hamad Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace. He stressed that the UAE has become an oasis of peace that has accommodated nationalities from far and wide. By embracing diverse cultures and faiths, the nation has proved that peaceful coexistence is an achievable reality.

The next speech was delivered by Sheikh Yusuf Estes. He emphasized that the most prominent message in the teachings of Islam is the message of peace, citing a number of Quranic verses. By adhering to these teachings, he pointed out that humanity can achieve peace not only at the national and international level, but also at the individual and spiritual level.

Sheikh Estes pointed out that moderation is one of the main pillars upon which this great religion is built. According to him, a closer look at the Holy Qur’an and at history is sufficient to confirm this point to any researcher. He added that there should not be any misconceptions or fallacies, as this breeds misunderstanding and mistrust.

Sheikh Mishary, Imam of the Grand Mosque in Kuwait and famous for his melodic voice which has charmed the ears of Muslims around the world, delivered a beautiful nasheed. This was prepared for the consecration of the convention, and produced a significant reaction from the audience.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured the guests, along with the event's sponsors. This convention has brought many guests from all over the world to convene in Dubai with one unified goal: to spread the true image of this religion and in the process cultivate world peace.

In his lecture, Sheikh Yusuf Estes addressed the issue of peace in the Islamic religion with specific examples guided by the ethics of the faith. He urged Muslims to uphold the virtues which Islam stands for.

At the end of his lecture, Sheikh Yusuf welcomed questions from the public. He then answered these questions in a way that reflected a deep understanding of the concepts of peace, equality and justice, leaving a lasting impression in the hearts of the audience. The audience gained a much deeper comprehension of these concepts and how to put them into practice in real life.

All this affirms this historic event which has been officially opened by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and for the next three days it will be the most significant event pertaining to Islamic teachings and global harmony

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