World Conference Dialogue

MADRID, SPAIN -- Coexist Foundation Director James Kidner, Executive Director of Gallup's Center for Muslim Studies, Dalia Mogahed, and Senior Analyst Ahmed Younis gathered with hundreds of faith leaders from around the globe at a historic interfaith conference in Madrid, Spain, on July 16-18.

The three-day World Conference on Dialogue, initiated by the Saudi government and sponsored by the Muslim World League, brought together leaders from many faiths -- Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and others -- to explore the importance of dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence, and obstacles that thwart it.

"From knowledge and understanding, comes respect, and respect is surely at the core of every civilized society," Kidner said during his address at the conference. "This conference, to the credit of all those who have worked so hard to make it possible, is a step on that journey toward greater respect."