Today, Wednesday, the Minister of State, Dean of the Mosque of Algiers, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mamoun Al-Qasimi Al-Hassani, received the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.
In his speech, Al Qasimi welcomed the Algerian guest, praising his journey in the service of world peace and cooperation between peoples and nations. He expressed his appreciation “for a man whose name is associated with the call for dialogue and the quest to address the common challenges facing humanity.”
In his definition of the edifice, the dean emphasized that it is not only a space for worship; Rather, it is a scientific institution and a cultural institution concerned with research, cultural dialogue, and human service. In his message, he combines the spiritual function with the cognitive function. Pointing out, in this context, that Algeria, by virtue of its location and history, has remained a space for communication between multiple cultural circles. It forms a bridge between Africa and the Arab and Mediterranean world.
Referring to the moral dimension of sustainable development, Sheikh Al Qasimi said that it is not limited to economics and technology; Rather, we need to establish an ethical system that governs man’s relationship with man, and his relationship with nature, the environment, and life.
In turn, Ban Ki-moon expressed his thanks for the warm reception and his happiness at visiting this great religious edifice, praising Algeria’s wise positions.
The former UN official explained that, when he was in charge of the General Secretariat of the United Nations, he visited many countries and had the opportunity to meet peoples belonging to different religions and beliefs. What he concluded from those experiences was that a person remains the same, wherever he is; However, he is affected by his societal environment, the speaker adds.
He continued, “We, the inhabitants of the world, must come together and come to an understanding, learn more about what brings us together, and work cooperatively for what is in our interest, so that we can coexist in security and peace.”
Ban Ki-moon said that all religions share moral values; There is no fundamental difference between human beliefs; The wars and crises that the world is witnessing are due to ideas acquired by a group of individuals. They believe in isolationist tendencies that have changed their character and affected their view of others.
