Rabat Communiqué
Issued by the International Symposium on :
Dialogue among Civilizations in a Changing World

By virtue of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly proclaiming the year 2001 “United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations” on the suggestion of H.E. Mr. Muhammad Ali Khatami, President of the 8th Islamic Summit Conference, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Pursuant to the relevant resolutions of the Islamic Summit Conference and the Islamic Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs;

In accordance with the objectives enshrined in the Charter of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization;

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -ISESCO- held an international symposium in Rabat, from 10-12 July 2001, on “Dialogue among Civilizations in a Changing World”, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Morocco;

We, the participants in the proceedings of this symposium;

Desirous of reinforcing the concept of dialogue among civilizations, fostering the process of building the new human civilization edifice on sturdy bases, and confirming our joint fervent will to take part, through combined efforts and concerted intellectual and cultural undertakings, in forging a prosperous future for humanity;

Considering our strong adherence to human values and our firm commitment to the principles of international law, which principles are inspired from the essence of the human civilizations and cultures throughout history;

Being committed to our human, moral and intellectual duty towards the future generations, and to our obligation to ensure their right to lead a free life in dignity in a world pervaded by the values of justice, good and peace;

Seeking to contribute to supporting the efforts exerted by the international community, at different levels, for the establishment of peace and security in the world, and the spreading of tolerance and co-existence among peoples and nations, through the promotion of objective, unbiased and constructive dialogue among civilizations and cultures;

Confirm, in the present communiqué, the following principles :

First : The respect of civilizational diversity as embodied in the cultural specificities is one of the inalienable human rights. It is imperative for the international community to spare no effort to safeguard this diversity in civilizational identities and cultural specificities, it being a source of strength and creativity for humanity;

Second : Dialogue among civilizations is a must, indeed a moral and human duty. It is a pre-requisite for initiating a positive and fruitful cooperation and establishing a peaceful co-existence among humans. It requires, in addition to coherent wills and good intentions, a commitment to the goals aimed to reinforce the human values and principles, which constitute the common denominator of all civilizations and cultures;

Third : Dialogue among civilizations contributes largely to bringing peoples and nations together and removing the barriers arising from mutual misunderstanding and unfounded stereotypes inhabiting the minds of people from a specific culture about the culture of other nations. Continuation of dialogue and enlargement of its scope becomes, therefore, a mission devolved upon intellectuals and religious scholars, as it is part of the dialogue among religions, and also upon cultural and scientific competencies and all segments of society, as well as a responsibility to be discharged by all those concerned with the future of humanity, each one from his position;

Fourth : To be more efficient and useful, dialogue among civilizations requires the multiplication of international fora in such a way as to cover different areas and regions at the initiative of institutions and organizations having a common interest as well as universities and cultural and academic circles. However, their efforts must be focused on spreading far and wide the values of dialogue and co-existence with a view to paving the way for rapprochement and understanding, and consolidating the human bonds linking different peoples and nations;

Fifth : The paramount importance of dialogue among civilizations has increased at the present stage of human history owing to the growing challenges facing humanity in all fields, and to the exacerbation of the crises threatening the life of individuals and communities and hindering the efforts exerted for comprehensive development, thus  enlarging the gap between industrialized and developing countries, and triggering wars and tensions in various areas of the world;

Sixth : The aspired dialogue should tackle the questions preoccupying humanity and weighing on its conscience, and search for solutions inspired from the essence of civilizations and cultures. Dialogue should seek, in the first place, to combat injustice as well as the violation of human rights and denial of the right of peoples to self-determination, in addition to countering hegemony and the attempt to impose a unipolar intellectual and cultural system on the international community. Dialogue among civilizations should also aim at preventing all kinds of aggression against the peoples aspiring for freedom and liberty, and should serve, at all levels, as a means for standing against the deprivation of peoples of their rights, which are confirmed by international laws and guaranteed by the Revealed Religions as well as the human principles;

Seventh : Dialogue among civilizations and cultures should be based on mutual respect among all peoples belonging to these cultures and civilizations, and should protect the principles of justice and equity. It should also contribute to giving impetus to the efforts exerted by the international community with a view to reinforcing tolerance and establishing peace and security as well as cultural and civilizational co-existence among human beings;

Eighth : ISESCO should pursue its efforts, in its capacity as the specialized body entrusted by the Islamic Conference of Foreign Affairs Ministers with the issues pertaining to dialogue among civilizations, with a view to holding more regional and international symposia on dialogue and co-existence among civilizations and cultures, and laying the bridges of cooperation with organizations, bodies and universities in all countries of the world to enable them to take part in this dialogue in order to achieve the mutual human interests and orient international cooperation in this vital intellectual and cultural direction.