3rd Dubai Int'l Peace Convention from April 17-19

Dr. Hamad bin Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace and Chairman of the Dubai International Peace Convention, on Thursday announced the 3rd Dubai International Peace Convention will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center from April 17-19 under the patronage ofHis Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,

The convention, which will be hosted in collaboration with Al Manar Quran Study Centre, an organisation that seeks to impart Islamic education to all those who wish to glean learning from the Holy Book, will host a number of scholars and clerics from various Arab and Islamic countries, including Sheikh Mishari Bin Rashid Al Afasi, Sheikh Yusuf Estes, Dr Zaker Nayeq, Sheikh Ismail Bin Musa Minq, Sheikh Mohammed Salah, Sheikh Tawfiq tshodri, along with Sheikh Noman Ali Khan, Sheikh Asim Al-Hakim, Sheikh WalId Bassiouni, Sheikh Abdul Bari Yehya, Sheikh Saeed Rajeh, and Sheikh Ahmed Hamid.

The announcements came at a press conference led by Dr. Al Shaibani. Addressing the media, he said the Dubai International Peace Convention presents a golden opportunity to accurately highlight Islam's teachings of peace as a doctrine that promotes harmony, tolerance and moderation. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace also aims to build bridges of cooperation between diverse cultures with a view to fortifying international relations.

As part of the briefing, Dr. Al Shaibani shared details of a strategic plan drawn up by Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for World Peace for the period 2014 - 2016.

He said: "The past two years saw the Board of Trustees taking a number of important decisions such as the formation of a benchmarking taskforce for the peace awards and seconding official delegations to participate in international peace prizes with the aim of exploring best practices that could be factored into the three year strategic plan."

Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Vice Chairman of the Dubai International Peace Convention, said: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's approval of the value of the awards makes it the richest peace prize globally. Worth $1.5 million, the award will honor deserving individuals and organizations from around the world for exemplary contributions to world harmony and inter-faith dialogue. The ruler's benevolent gesture also articulates his commitment to promoting world harmony. A special jury has been set up to evaluate nominees according to world-class standards to ensure credibility and inspire higher accomplishments worldwide."

Dr. Omar Mohammad Al Khateeb, member of the award's board of trustees, said the 3rdDubai International Peace Convention will include inter-faith panel discussions in multiple languages. He added that the public will be given the opportunity to participate in activities associated with the convention including the Intelligent Peace Dome, a Science Fair, Friday prayers, the Peace Pledge Campaign, Children's Corner and the 2014 Peace Football Tournament for schools. The closing ceremony of the event will also honor the special guests, sponsors and participants of the event.

Speaking about the online and digital media associated with the event, Mariam Al Afirdi, Head of the Media Committee, gave details of the "Peace Pledge" campaign which was created in line with Dubai smart city vision that was launched by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The peace pledge is available in all languages via the following tags: #PeacePledge). She added that news and updates related to the convention can can be accessed via Facebook (mrawpeace), twitter (@mrawpeace using hashtag #DubaiPeace), and Instagram (@mrawpeace).

In the first three days following the launch of the website (www.mrawp.gov.ae), more than 10,000 people have registered online to attend the event. Online registration is free and involves a simple process on the website, which also provides a detailed overview on the award and the convention.

The Convention Committee

In late October, Dr. Hamad bin Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace, nominated Dr. Omar Khatib as General Coordinator for the third edition of the Dubai International Peace Convention. He also named Mohammed Suhail Al Muhairi as Head of the Scientific Committee, Abdullah Hassan Abdullah as Head of the Organizing Committee for the opening ceremony, Colonel Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri Head the Security Committee, Mariam Al Firdi as Head of the Media Committee, Yousef Murad Salmeen as chairman of the Protocol Committee, Khalifa Mohammed Al Shaer as Head of the Service and Support Committee, and Ahmed Al Beddawi as Secretary General of the Convention Committee.

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