On Tuesday, 28 July 2026, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a seminar at its headquarters in Rabat to discuss the book, Interfaith Dialogue in the Mediterranean Basin: Morocco and Spain, by the author Dr. Mohamed Ouahmane. The seminar saw the participation of more than 50 experts and researchers specializing in civilizational dialogue.

The hybrid seminar opened with remarks by Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue. The ICESCO official emphasized that the event aligns with the Organization’s mission to promote dialogue among cultures and civilizations, highlighting the importance of drawing on the book’s findings to support ICESCO’s related initiatives and projects.

During the seminar, moderated by Dr. Hani Al-Balawi, expert at ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, Dr. Ouahmane reviewed the characteristics of the Mediterranean region as a civilizational space shaped over centuries through cultural convergence, religious diversity, and human interaction. He further underscored that those differences should not be a source of discord or conflict, particularly when dialogue is grounded in the lofty principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, openness, and recognition of shared human values.

Moreover, Dr. Ouahmane highlighted international efforts to capitalize on dialogue mechanisms as a strategic necessity amid the rising waves of conflict, hate speech, and extremism. He also commended ICESCO’s role as an international platform for promoting dialogue and engaging different generations in transcontinental dialogues.

The seminar concluded with a discussion session during which Dr. Ouahmane responded to participants’ questions. Participants underscored the importance of developing programs in the field of civilizational dialogue and strengthening the role of cultural institutions in building bridges of understanding in the Mediterranean Basin. They also noted that cultural diplomacy can provide a scientific, theoretical, and practical framework for translating the book’s findings into tangible results at the highest levels.