St Petersburg University Professor Damir Mukhetdinov speaks at the 9th Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace

The forum is held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The event was opened with greetings from: Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Fatwa Council, President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies; Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al Issa , Secretary General of the Muslim World League; and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the UAE.

At the plenary session, Professor Damir Mukhetdinov greeted the participants and organisers on behalf of Russia’s Muslim Leader — Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and expressed gratitude to the President and Emir of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his assistance in implementing initiatives for justice and peace.

Professor Mukhetdinov delivered a plenary talk dedicated to the concept of justice and its achievement in today’s global society. He noted that the inability to maintain a dialogue and unite for a common cause is a major crisis of our time and a threat to humanity. On the other hand, the intention to impose a universal system of values and beliefs on peoples of different cultures leads to the devaluation of the cultural heritage and historical experiences of these peoples.

We are becoming more and more aware of the fallaciousness of the arguments for universal values and universal laws that regulate the structure of human society.

Damir Mukhetdinov, Head of the Centre for Islamic Studies at St Petersburg University, First Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Theology

‘Thus, no nation in the world can single-handedly determine the universal cultural models, social structure and political regime that would suit all nations and religious communities at every moment in history. Truly universal values and beliefs are reviewed and adjusted to reflect the full diversity of local contexts, to be embodied in a unique form,’ Damir Mukhetdinov said.

‘The diversity inherent in humanity is inevitable and unavoidable, since it reflects God’s will. This diversity, however, may potentially lead to a conflict of interest. This conflict can only be countered through competition in doing good deeds. Humans can never be freed from the desire to compete. Hence, the competition must acquire the nature of partnership,’ stressed Damir Mukhetdinov, Head of the Centre for Islamic Studies at St Petersburg University. Professor Mukhetdinov added that in this context, the nations of the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula play a major role in shaping the vector of global development. As the cradle of world religions and civilisations, over thousands of years this region has witnessed many feuds and rivalries. Today, it is at the forefront of uniting nations and seeking solutions to global conflicts.

Recently, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has declared his conviction that the development of humankind as a community can be achieved only based on a fundamental understanding of the essential dignity and spiritual essence of man. I am certain that here in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as throughout the world, most people will agree with this statement. Our religions, our scriptures, and even conventional wisdom and cultural heritage speak in favour of achieving peace through commitment to human brotherhood and our connection with the Creator.

Damir Mukhetdinov, Head of the Centre for Islamic Studies at St Petersburg University, First Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Theology

The 9th Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace was held under the theme "Global Conflict and Universal Peace: Urgent Needs and Opportunities for Partnership". Among the issues discussed at the Forum are: current security challenges against the backdrop of global changes; the role of religious institutions in peace-building; the importance of partnerships in global governance; wars and challenges in the field of ensuring psychological and spiritual safety, and others.