By Sean Buchanan<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NEW YORK (IDN) \u2013 Following a recent series of hate-fuelled attacks on places of worship around the world, a forum on intercultural dialogue was told May 2 that \u201cin all these heinous and cowardly attacks\u2026 we see a common pattern: hatred of the \u2018other\u2019. These criminals are hijacking entire faith communities, pitting religions against each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations (UNOAC)<\/a>, who was addressing the UN-backed 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue<\/a> in Baku, Azerbaijan, said that the problem is never faith, it is \u201cthose who manipulate the faithful and turn them against each other by their perverted interpretations of holy texts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe volatile nexus between protracted conflicts, terrorism, and violent extremism remains an ongoing challenge for the international community,\u201d he stated, saying that violent extremists seek to \u201cdivide and sow instability in our societies\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moratinos said the theme of the 5th Forum \u2013 Building Dialogue into action against discrimination, inequality & violent extremism <\/em>\u2013 was<\/em> very timely as those gathered at the Forum would no doubt reflect on the \u201chorrific terrorist attacks\u201d that had taken place over recent days and months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI stand before you today with a heavy heart,\u201d Moratinos said, explaining that the day before he had been in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he had paid his respects to the victims of terrorist attacks on Catholic Churches and hotels that left over 250 people dead on Easter Sunday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Citing a \u201cspate of hate crimes and terrorist attacks\u201d targeting places of worship, Moratinos said this was a stark reminder that \u201cno religion, country or ethnicity is spared\u201d from such unspeakable violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He recalled that a synagogue in California was attacked while Jewish worshipers were observing the final day of Passover, and that last year there had been a deadly shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburg. These incidents came amidst similar violence, including an attack on a cathedral in the Philippines, as well as the massacre in April of Muslims worshiping inside mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media only add ‘fuel to the raging fore’<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Moratinos, social media platforms only add \u201cfuel to the raging fire\u201d, along with the dark web, which offers a space for radicals, white-supremist and ultra-right advocates to \u201cspew their twisted ideologies\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He maintained that preventing violent extremism and ensuring sustainable peace are complimentary and mutually reinforcing goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe importance of dialogue as an essential tool for conflict prevention and prevent violent extremism cannot be overstated,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moratinos highlighted the role of youth in providing a counter-narrative for violent extremism through their community engagement, promoting inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue and countering hate speech through positive use of social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter all, these young people are our hope not only for the future but also for our present\u201d, he said. \u201cTheir work responds to the recommendations outlined in the recent progress study on \u2018youth, peace and security\u2019 mandated by the UN Security Council pursuant to Resolution 225<\/a> and the Plan of Action To Prevent Violent Extremism<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘No room’ for exclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In her opening remarks, Nada Al-Nashif, Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO<\/a>), stressed the importance of promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Noting that the Baku Process was launched by Azerbaijan over 10 years ago to establish an effective and efficient dialogue between cultures and civilizations, she said that while \u201cwe have come a long way\u201d, there is a need to focus and follow up with concrete actions to create continuity and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She pointed to new emerging forces of division that are spreading hatred, intolerance and ignorance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At a time when cultural diversity is under threat from the pressures of exclusive populism, she noted that \u201cthe world is facing the largest refugee and displacement crisis of recent history\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNew technologies with the potential to better connect individuals and communities, are being misused to seed division and misunderstanding,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n