The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), represented by its Deputy Director-General, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, participated in the Tolerance Forum, organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication in Riyadh, on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, under the theme: “Tolerance: The Language of Civilizations and a Bridge for Communication.”

The forum, held on Sunday, 16 November 2025, saw the participation of a number of prominent international figures, including Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al-Sabeel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication, Eng. Waleed A. ElKhereiji, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, and Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Participants discussed various topics related to raising awareness of the importance of tolerance and the role of international institutions in spreading a culture of coexistence and dialogue.

During the first session, chaired by Dr. Abdullah AlFoazan, Secretary-General of the King Abdulaziz Center, entitled “Tolerance: The Language of Civilizations and a Bridge for Communication,” Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa presented a paper highlighting the role of international organizations in consolidating a system of shared human values, and the close link between tolerance and cultural communication. He praised the role of the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication as a specialized intellectual platform that provides an advanced framework for addressing the issue of tolerance in its intellectual and humanitarian dimensions.

Dr. Benarafa also reviewed ICESCO’s key strategies, executive programs, and reference documents that promote the values of tolerance and dialogue for the achievement of comprehensive cultural development, noting that ICESCO’s winning of the King Abdulaziz Center for Intercultural Communication Award in its fifth edition represents an international recognition of the Organization’s efforts in spreading the values of tolerance and understanding.

The forum featured three main scientific sessions: “Tolerance: The Language of Civilizations and a Bridge for Communication”; “Local and international experiences that promote the values of tolerance and coexistence”; and “Raising awareness of the importance of tolerance for building peaceful and sustainable societies.” The event also included a sideline exhibition highlighting initiatives and projects aimed at establishing a culture of tolerance at the local and international levels.