NEW YORK: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres received the Muslim World League (MWL) secretary-general, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, at the UN headquarters in New York.

Guterres welcomed Al-Issa before the two parties held an expanded meeting during which they discussed the initiative that was presented by Al-Issa and aimed at promoting the international efforts to confront hatred and protecting the places of worship around the world through diverse and effective programs.

“The tragedies that humanity has suffered from and is still increasingly suffering from today usually begin with a wrong ideology that develops into a bad word, which boldly challenges others with the poison of hatred it carries. It even goes beyond that by disputing the others’ right to exist and enjoy full respect and dignity,” Al-Issa explained, stressing that “the material civilizational advancement lacked the required advancement in the area of common human values.

Undermining the role of responsible institutions would set those values back and pave the way for evil people. Humanity as a whole will pay the price of the inevitable result of that scenario, whether in its global peace or the peace within its diverse national societies.”

Al-Issa expressed his thanks and appreciation to Guterres for greatly supporting the initiative, which was discussed in the presence and with the participation of the global ambassador Ronald S. Lauder, who also backed the initiative. Lauder is a global activist whose work focuses on building bridges and fighting hatred.

The meeting was also attended by the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Miguel Angel Moratinos, who praised the idea of the initiative and highlighted the importance of supporting it.