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Message addressed to

His Excellency Mr. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

President of the Republic of Tunisia

His Excellency Mr. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

President of the Republic of Tunisia

Presidential Palace of Carthage – Tunisia

Assalamu alaikum warhmatu Allah wabarakatuh, The participants in the international symposium on “Human Civilizations and Cultures: from Dialogue to Alliance”, which the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation, convened in the Tunisian Republic under your high and effective patronage, over the period from 30 January to 1 February 2006, are honoured to express to your Excellency their sincerest thanks, appreciation and gratitude for having kindly accepted to patronize the symposium and chair its opening session, out of your firm belief in the important role of dialogue in enhancing rapprochement between peoples and fostering the global efforts to lay down the foundations of alliance among civilizations.

They avail themselves of this occasion to laud the achievements and reforms you have accomplished to your people in the different fields of economic, social and civilizational development, and the support you have been extending to the causes of the Islamic Ummah in all international gatherings with clear-sightedness and wisdom. They highly value the judicious attitudes you take and rational choices you make at the national and international levels. They appreciate as well the great international initiatives your Excellency has launched and for which you have received the support and acclaim of the international community.

The participants also reaffirm their deep appreciation for the integrated resurgence, balanced development and steady progress that Tunisia enjoys under your shining reign, which has reiterated the firm commitment of Tunisia, the springhead of dialogue and alliance among civilizations and cultures and coexistence of nations, to the lofty principles and ideal values. The support your Excellency has been extending to the promotion of such values bespeaks your personal engagement, your sense of responsibility and your awareness of the historical, civilizational role devolved upon your country to drive the international community towards new horizons in which the values of concord, peace, dialogue and cooperation prevail. They convey to your Excellency their sincerest congratulations for being awarded ISESCO Gold Shield in the Field of the Promotion of Dialogue among Civilizations, wishing you more success in your efforts to achieve progress and prosperity in your country as well as in the different regions of the Islamic world, with a view to fostering right, justice and peace in the world.

May Allah preserve you, guide your steps and grant you success in your noble tasks.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatu Allah wabarakatuh.

On their behalf:

Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri

Director General of the Islamic Educational Scientific

and Cultural Organization

Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

-ISESCO- 1428H/2007 A.D