The MajlisMalta, November 5, 2018; A traditional majlis that forms the centrepiece of the cross-cultural touring exhibition “The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue”, under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar and initiated by the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, has recently hosted the “United in Dialogue, Interfaith Consultation”, an important interfaith dialogue meeting featuring 12 religious groupings, at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, Malta.

Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, has promoted the interfaith consultation as a step to build a collaborative declaration, which will be Malta’s contribution to the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week. Commenting on the activity, the President of Malta said that the interfaith meeting provided an opportunity for different faiths to make a statement from the heart of the Mediterranean; “all religions are rooted in respect, peace and love”.

The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue is more than an exhibition: it is a meeting space to appreciate diversity, to initiate dialogue and to reflect; one of the reasons why it was selected as the perfect setting to host this meaningful interfaith event.

Based on the concept of the traditional space of learning, discussion, dialogue and sharing present in every home in the Arabian Gulf, The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue exhibition opened in Valletta – currently Europe’s Capital of Culture – in September. The selected artefacts are a testimony to the beauty that has resulted from centuries of intercultural dialogue and visitors are encouraged to sit in the majlis to listen to stories and exchange ideas on what they see, discover and experience in the displays.

Commenting on the “United in Dialogue, Interfaith Consultation”, H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of FBQ Museum, said: “We are honoured to host the Interfaith Consultation organized by President Marie-Louise Colerio Preca in our majlis, as this is a great opportunity for the exhibition to deliver its greater purpose of connecting people, beliefs and cultures through dialogue.”

The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue is being organised at the initiative of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani Museum – in collaboration with Qatar Museums, UNESCO Doha Office, the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and Qatar Shell. It is presented for the first time in Malta under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.

The exhibition is only the beginning of a much bigger project to connect people, beliefs and cultures by creating opportunities for respectful, yet incisive dialogues to take place.

After a very successful exhibition in Valletta which attracted a large number of visitors experiencing a real majlis, The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue will move to other European cities, including UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, on a tour that will continue to the US until 2021.


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