On Tuesday 29 November 2016, Tabah Foundation was pleased to receive Mr. Pekka Metso, Ambassador-at-Large for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Processes at the Unit for UN and General Global Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Mr. Metso met with Habib Ali al-Jifri, Tabah Foundation’s Chairman, Noureddin Harthi, CEO, Adel al-Kaff, Manager of Initiatives, and Abaas Yunas, Analyst at Tabah Futures Initiative.

Mr al-Jifri welcomed Mr Metso to Tabah Foundation and highlighted the key importance of dialogue and interreligious exchange. He explained that the world today is in need of dialogue that stems from a shared value of respect and acknowledgement of the plurality of thought that distinguishes the various regions of the world. Mr. Yunas introduced Tabah Foundation’s mission and areas of expertise, and highlighted Tabah’s recent initiatives and research themes, and its view on events in the region and beyond, including extremism and trends in religious identity.

Mr. Metso commented on the need for a deeper appreciation and comprehension of the role of religion in the contemporary world, and commended Tabah’s efforts in advancing the discourse on understanding this role. Mr Metso explained initiatives that his unit has run and their experience in fostering dialogue and understanding in Finland and the region.