Qatar aborts Alliance of Civilization’s draft plan in Rabat

Jorge Sampaio,High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations The second meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations in the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has ended in Rabat today, without the approval of the draft action plan for effective contribution of the Alliance of Civilizations because of a disagreement implied between the representatives of Qatar and Morocco.
The focus of this draft plan is to support the Civilizations Alliance, on four basic themes, the country, youth, education, and immigration. And use the media to bridge the gap between the different cultures and improve the image of Islam.
Dr. Hassan Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, Vice President of the National Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations, was the first one to object the draft plan in the meeting.
Dr. Muhammad Ashtato, programmes specialist in the ISESCO, said regarding the approval of the document:  "the approval of such plans or recommendations in each conference passes normally through the two cases, either to discuss the plan and approve it during the same meeting or discussing it and delay the approval to a later meeting."
He added: “this plan of action related to support the Alliance of Civilizations remains linked to the place where it was discussed, "referring to the capital, Rabat.
Speakers and all participants from all States members of the Organization of Islamic cooperation agreed on the need and importance of making a move to bridge the cultural gap and cultural differences among the various peoples of the globe, especially between Muslims and others, through improving and correcting the image of Islam.
Jorge Sampaio ,  High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, (former Portuguese President)  said in the opening session of the meeting that "many people  in the West see Muslims as extremists and that they advocate  violence, and few of them see the other image, that  Muslims are  tolerant and respect women . For their part, Muslims in the Middle East and Asia, see that Western people are selfish and they advocate violence and intolerance as well. "
Latifa Akhrabash,  Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, said  in her presentation that: "The role of the Alliance of Civilizations has become more important than ever given the growing symptoms of hatred and exclusion based on racial, religious and cultural differences,"
 she said: " the terrible accident in  Norway in the past few months , proves that there is no country exempt from guard and protect itself from hatred, racism and religious fanaticism.”
The participants called for the need to adopt a strategy to actively participate along with  the Islamic Cooperation Organization to respond to the theory of  civilizations clash and bridge the gap between communities, cultures and civilizations.
Qatar and the Israeli participation
On the other hand, Hassan Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, Vice President of the National Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations, revealed that Qatar cannot prevent the Israeli delegation from participating in the fourth Doha Forum for the Alliance of Civilizations in December .  He reviewed his country's preparations to host this event, which he said will focus on supporting the development agenda to maintain the universal human rights and strengthen the bonds of cooperation and dialogue with the Alliance of Civilizations.
Hassan Ibrahim Mohannadi, said that promoting the development and creating jobs for young people in various countries, especially in the Arab world, will to respond to the aspirations of these young people.
He added that: “Qatar allocated during the years 2008 and 2009, around $ 100 million for the employment of youth in the Maghreb as well as Syria and Yemen, which can provide well-being of young people and reduce the tension, and reduce immigration amongst young people and their hatred to Europeans.
Qataris believe that focusing on  the cultural aspect is important to end conflicts and reduce the economic problems,
Thus, the Fourth Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations’ organizers have pointed three major themes to be discussed at the Doha  forum , which are , development , cultural diversity , new strategies for understanding and cooperation ,and dialogue between cultures to build trust tolerance, achieve development goals.
Representative of Egypt asked not to discuss the Palestinian issue in a classic way in the Doha Forum, which is the first of its kind to be held in the Arab and Muslim countries, but talk about it in a new strategy which keeps it as a dominant subject during the talks.
Hassan Ibrahim Mohannadi said: “We will try to point out the Israeli occupation problem in an indirect and effective way.”
Regarding Israel attendance in Doha Forum, Hassan Ibrahim said: “Qatar has not officially invited Israel, but it can’t prevent it from coming to Doha, because this meeting comes under the umbrella of the United Nations, not Qatar.”
He added:"We are not against Jews but against the occupation. The occupation must end."