Wizdom
21-09-03, 22:40
Kingdom to Set Up Chair for Islamic Studies in Japan
M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Arab News Staff
RIYADH, 22 September 2003 — In order to promote better understanding of Islam and also to initiate a comprehensive dialogue, Saudi Arabia has finalized plans to establish a King Fahd Chair for Islamic Studies in Japan.
A two-day seminar has been organized by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy. A five-member cultural mission from Japan led by Professor Masayuki Yamauchi of the University of Tokyo is taking part. A similar symposium on Arab-Japanese relations is being planned for next year in Bahrain.
In the inaugural address to the symposium, Prince Bander Al-Faisal, a trustee of the King Faisal Foundation (KFF), said, “Only discussions and dialogue can bring nations together, and they are very important tools in keeping nations prosperous and peaceful.”
Also present was Japan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Yasuo Saito, who said, “We attach great importance to our relations with Saudi Arabia.” He noted that the Kingdom and Japan will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2005.
Dr. Mohammad Al-Rubayye, a faculty member at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, said that a panel had been set up to prepare the final project of the King Fahd Chair for Islamic Studies in Japan.
“We are discussing financial requirements and other details at present,” Dr. Al-Rubayye said. He stressed the Kingdom’s efforts to familiarize Japanese children with the basics of Islamic culture and civilization.
He also noted that an Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies funded by Saudi Arabia operates in Japan, and plans to publish a periodical highlighting the ties between the two countries.
M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Arab News Staff
RIYADH, 22 September 2003 — In order to promote better understanding of Islam and also to initiate a comprehensive dialogue, Saudi Arabia has finalized plans to establish a King Fahd Chair for Islamic Studies in Japan.
A two-day seminar has been organized by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy. A five-member cultural mission from Japan led by Professor Masayuki Yamauchi of the University of Tokyo is taking part. A similar symposium on Arab-Japanese relations is being planned for next year in Bahrain.
In the inaugural address to the symposium, Prince Bander Al-Faisal, a trustee of the King Faisal Foundation (KFF), said, “Only discussions and dialogue can bring nations together, and they are very important tools in keeping nations prosperous and peaceful.”
Also present was Japan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Yasuo Saito, who said, “We attach great importance to our relations with Saudi Arabia.” He noted that the Kingdom and Japan will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2005.
Dr. Mohammad Al-Rubayye, a faculty member at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, said that a panel had been set up to prepare the final project of the King Fahd Chair for Islamic Studies in Japan.
“We are discussing financial requirements and other details at present,” Dr. Al-Rubayye said. He stressed the Kingdom’s efforts to familiarize Japanese children with the basics of Islamic culture and civilization.
He also noted that an Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies funded by Saudi Arabia operates in Japan, and plans to publish a periodical highlighting the ties between the two countries.