Doha The work of the research conference “Arabs and Iran: A Dialogue on the Crises of the Region” is continuing today, Sunday, in the Qatari capital, Doha, organized by the Al Jazeera Center for Studies in cooperation with the Iranian Strategic Center for Foreign Relations.
Yesterday, Saturday, the public session of the conference was opened by the Director of Al Jazeera Center for Studies, Dr. Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Khalil, by talking about the importance of dialogue to bridge views regarding how to solve the problems and crises of the region, and pointed out the common denominators between the countries of the region and the impact of Islamic civilization in that.
In his speech at the conference, which witnessed the participation of a group of Iranian and Arab politicians, researchers and experts, and the presence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Jazeera Media Network, Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, Al-Khalil stressed that the requirements of political geography make it imperative for neighboring countries to adhere to dialogue as a way to end problems and crises.
Regarding the role of the Al Jazeera Center for Studies in this conference, Al-Khalil said that the center’s mission is limited to providing a platform for calm and in-depth discussion and discussion on the region’s problems and crises, and seeking approaches to the solution that take into account the requirements of geopolitics and the complexities of common and conflicting interests.
He expressed this role by saying that “the politicians sow, and the people reap what the politicians sow, and according to the Al Jazeera Center for Studies, it is an honor to organize this dialogue, which benefits politicians and people alike.”
For their part, the former Iranian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations, Dr. Kamal Kharazi, and the former Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Youssef bin Alawi, made two interventions that dealt with their views on the nature of the crises facing the region and what can dialogue between The political and intellectual elites present it with visions, perceptions and approaches that contribute to its solution.
Bin Alawi’s word
In this regard, Bin Alawi pointed out the importance of common interests as a basis for the fruition of any dialogue between countries, and he also alluded to the confidence-building factor and the impact of mental perceptions, religious beliefs and cultural inventory in promoting dialogue and pushing its pace and accelerating its steps.
On the role of the Sultanate of Oman in the Yemeni crisis and the efforts it is making to bridge the views of the parties, bin Alawi said that the Yemenis are stuck in their crisis and can no longer get out of it without the help of the international community represented by the United Nations, the United States of America, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Sultanate of Oman . He added that the Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue, to which his country contributes, is still ongoing, but it is “moving slowly”, and that it is in the interest of all to accelerate it to reap its fruits in security, stability and development.
Kharazi word
For his part, Kharazi clarified in his speech at the conference that ends tomorrow, Monday, that Iran was a gateway to Islam towards Central Asia, the Caucasus and its environs, and that Islamic civilization was and still is a source of pride for Arabs and Iranians, and that Iran considers itself an extension of that civilization, and therefore it is keen on continuity of communication. With its neighbors to achieve security and development.
On mentioning security and its importance, Kharazi said, “Security is not a commodity to be bought, but it is the fruit of joint cooperation, and that relations between the countries of the region are the guarantee of this security.” The region leads to the continuation of tension and leads to conflicts and wars and does not achieve the desired security.”
On the role of dialogue in bringing the Iranian and Arab views closer, Kharazi stressed that the misunderstanding that resulted in the crises and conflicts that afflict the region can only be resolved through dialogue, stressing that this “requires a change in the approach between the elites and the leaders of the region.” The change is “to achieve peace in the Strait of Hormuz, strengthen cooperation among the Persian Gulf states, strengthen reconciliation efforts, and push forward bilateral and multilateral relations.”
Relationship with Saudi Arabia
In this regard, Kharazi said that his country attaches the utmost importance to improving the relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it is the country in which the Muslims’ qiblah and the two holy sanctuaries are located, and given the great role it plays. Therefore, “the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot view the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as one of exclusion.” . He referred, “in this context, to the five rounds of dialogue between Iran and Saudi Arabia,” describing them as an “advanced step.”
Kharazi reviewed the Iranian position on the crises in Yemen, Lebanon and Palestine, and stressed, in this context, the centrality of the dimension adopted by Iran’s foreign policy in these crises, which is based, as he clarified, on encouraging dialogue between the parties, bringing together views, strengthening common denominators, and overcoming the difficulties encountered. Ways to achieve peace, stability and development.
He criticized the efforts of some Arab countries to normalize with the “Zionist entity”, and said that it comes at a time when this entity does not shy away from its attacks, the most recent of which was the assassination of the martyred Al Jazeera reporter, Sherine Abu Akleh, and added that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not allow a “nesting entity” in Jerusalem. to continue his attacks.
Kharazi concluded his speech by praising the cooperation reached by the Iranian-Qatari relations, culminated in the recent visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, to Tehran, and the resulting rapprochement in views on many issues of concern to the two countries and the region.