19.08.2008
Doha 2016 Chairman Welcomes Us-Islamic Forum
The Chairman of the Doha 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee, Mr Hassan Ali Bin Ali, has praised the US-Islamic World Forum taking place in Doha.
The annual Forum brings together leaders in the fields of politics, business, media, academia, and civil society from across the Muslim world and the United States.
It seeks to address the critical issues dividing the Muslim world and the US by providing a platform for frank dialogue and the development of positive partnerships between leaders and opinion-formers from both regions.
Mr Hassan said: “This sort of dialogue between the Arab world and the rest of the world is absolutely vital in breaking down any barriers of misunderstanding that may exist.”
“Holding this Forum in Doha demonstrates yet again that Qatar has no such barrier – it is an outward-looking, peaceful country which embraces free speech and debate.”
“In the same way, hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Doha in 2016 would bring the Olympic flame to the Arabic-speaking world for the first time, so extending the Olympic ideals to millions of new hearts and minds. It will engage and inspire young people in particular, so that Arab youth better understand the wider world and the youth of the rest of the world gain a true picture of Arab culture and hospitality.”
“The Olympic Family has a marvelous opportunity to make an enormous difference to the peoples of the world – and this region in particular. Awarding Doha the 2016 Games would unleash the power of the Olympic Movement and peaceful sporting competition to create understanding, hope and change that could unite this entire region with the rest of the world.”
“A Doha 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games would help to change perceptions about the Arab world and its culture. And honouring Doha to host the Olympic Games will send a clear message to a region that often feels misportrayed, misunderstood and excluded that they are indeed part of a global community.”
Prominent delegates to the US-Islamic World Forum include Prime Minister HE Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, the President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, the President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the Chief Negotiator of the Palestinian Authority Saeb Erekat.