Madrid, October 21 (QNA) - The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) launched in Madrid the ninth edition of the Arabic calligraphy exhibition about "Human Rights in Islamic Culture." The exhibition opened for all segments of the Spanish society and Arab and Muslim expats residing in European countries and received great attention as in its previous editions, which were organized in Brussels, Geneva, Paris, Berlin, Tunis and Kuwait along with locally-organized editions within Qatar at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Katara Cultural Village.

Over the past years, the exhibition has become a powerful window to introduce Islam and promote a culture of peace, tolerance and dialogue among religions and civilizations, which the State of Qatar has repeatedly advocated in international forums in order to counter the culture of incitement and violence that contributed to the spread of extremist ideas and organizations as well as the hate speech and attempts to associate Islam with terrorism.

The exhibition presented a true image to the western societies about the status that Islam has given to human rights. In a speech delivered on the occasion, NHRC Chairman Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri strongly deplored the terrorist attacks in Spain that are not condoned by any heavenly religion, not accepted by conscience, and not recognized by heavenly morals, describing them as anomalous and hostile to humanity, and expressing NHRC's solidarity in the face of these poisonous and extremist ideas. 

Al Marri noted that the exhibition includes creative paintings of different types of Arabic calligraphy, including Quran verses and hadiths that are directly related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights conventions in order to promote the principles of Islam through art, and support the efforts of dialogue among religions, civilizations and cultures.

He said that the committee held the exhibition in several European cities and capitals, adding that the creative paintings received a good response and were welcomed by all attendees and visitors. He noted that the committee is holding the exhibition at a time when the State of Qatar is subjected to an unjust siege that violates all charters and principles of human rights.

"The inhuman siege imposed on the State of Qatar caused several violations of human rights, notably those affecting the right to family reunification, where their ties were cut off and families were dispersed, including women, children, people with disabilities and elders, and mothers and fathers were deprived from staying with their children," Al Marri said.

"The siege and arbitrary measures and decisions have all prevented hundreds of students from completing their studies in flagrant violation of the right to education, as well as the denial of using or disposition of private property, which constitutes a gross violation of the right to private property," he added.

Al Marri noted that the violations also included the right to movement and residence; the right to health; the right to work; freedom of opinion and expression; and freedom of worship and practice of religious rites. Since the beginning of the crisis, he said, NHRC has received more than 4,000 complaints on these violations and others, while the actual number of victims of the siege violations is much higher.

As for the moral message of the exhibition, Dr. Al Marri said Islam was always keen on human rights and called for respecting the dignity and freedoms of humans. "Its mission came to consolidate the principles of justice and equality among all human beings; prevent injustice, tyranny, racism and oppression; and promote peace and coexistence among different religions, sects and races," he said.

"Islam also embraced elegant art and taste, splendid heritage and exceptional architecture, and preserved to this day the human heritage and legacy of previous civilizations in the countries that it entered thanks to its belief that cultural and civilizational diversity is a benefit to humanity and a legacy that should never be distorted or destroyed," Dr. Al Marri added. 

        The NHRC chairman stressed that terrorism has no religion and no nationality and the actions of extremist terrorist groups that take religion as a cover for their anomalous and sick behaviors to achieve their despicable goals are far from Islam and its true moderate message. "These people only represent their fanatical selves, but the true Islam has undoubtedly had its bright face seen by the whole world for hundreds of years." He said that "addressing extremism and terrorism can't be done by fueling hatred towards Islam (Islamophobia) and its consequent discourse of fanaticism and hatred, but rather by extending bridges of cooperation and dialogue between the different religions, cultures and civilizations, and looking for common heritage and human values." In this regard, Dr. Al Marri praised the historic role of Spain in achieving coexistence among civilizations and communication between different cultures, ideas and beliefs, noting that it was the gateway through which Islamic civilization spread throughout Europe in the fields of science and literature. "The Islamic monuments that remain in Spain to this day are the best proof to this." "This exhibition is a message to the world. We do not intend by it to talk or defend Islam as much as we are keen to show the common values and commonalities," Dr. Al Marri said as he concluded his speech.

          In turn, HE the State of Qatar's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain Mohammad bin Jaham Al Kuwari praised in a speech the successes of the exhibition in its previous editions as well as the current edition in Madrid in terms of attracting wide attendance among the Spanish society and its different social segments.

          He highlighted the exhibits and paintings; the values that they reflect; the past and present that they embody and how the future should be like; their relation to human rights; their compatibility with Islam and commitment to peace; and their role in documenting cultural bridges and promoting dialogue.

          On the importance of Madrid's hosting of the event, HE the ambassador said it affirms that Arab culture has a "very prominent presence" in Spain since old times, noting that Spain "has always been a place for coexistence and understanding among different peoples, cultures and religions." HE Al Kuwari praised NHRC efforts and the peace messages that it bears through the exhibition in all the capitals and cities that have previously hosted the event.

       As for Qatar's attention to human rights, HE the ambassador said it is "necessary to address any issues related to human rights at any point of history and we in the State of Qatar always give this issue a prominent place." He praised the ties between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Spain, noting that the exhibition would enhance these ties as well as dialogue and understanding among world civilizations.

       For his part, Pedro Martnez-Avial, director general of Casa Arabe in Madrid, commended the exhibition and the humanitarian message that it reflects in terms of promoting peace and defending human rights as basic pillars of Span's policy, noting that the paintings show the importance of human rights for the State of Qatar.

       "Qatar has undergone a remarkable transformation in the defense of human rights as it participates in many human rights forums both in the Arab world and internationally," the Casa Arabe director general said. Martinez-Avial stressed that Islam is a religion of peace and dialogue, adding that Quran and hadiths prove that the core of Islam calls for dialogue and understanding among religions and respect of human rights.

        In turn, Nazmi Yousef, member of the administrative body of Madrid's journalism club, said art is an elegant and successful message in introducing Islam, stressing that the exhibition explains this fact through a classy artistic message. (QNA)