The following is the translated transcript of Sheikh Mohammed's speech at the second Arab Media Summit.
Brothers and sisters, esteemed guests. Your participation in the Arab Media Summit is a great pleasure for me. The issue before you is of great significance and the problem you are looking at is obvious and it imposes itself on everybody - you, the media, are even more aware of this. You are also aware of how events are confused, standards are affected, concepts are incorrectly defined and feelings are about to prevail over the voice of reason.
And black turns into white and white into black at this difficult time. In such difficult times, people look to thinkers, intellectuals and academics. In difficult times, there is an increased need for dialogue.
Your presence here is evidence of your faith in the significance of dialogue and in its necessity. You, brothers, are aware that for a dialogue to be fruitful, there must be mutual respect for each other's humanity, culture and rights. A dialogue is not true if it does not lead to an understanding of one another, really interpreting each other's acts and behaviours in a way that is based on reason, not controlled by pre-determined rules.
Disruptions to dialogue and positive interaction between disputing parties result from exploiting cultures and values for urgent political objectives or personal interests. This creates dual standards and results in tyranny and oppression. It also opens the door to enmity and hatred, doing away with all that is human and noble.
Brothers and sisters, a fruitful dialogue requires moving from pre-determined rules to raising serious questions and searching thoroughly for their answers. This is what I expect from your summit.
No one can do away with pre-conceived notions and mistaken beliefs, but we can prevent them from nesting in people's minds.
Once again, I welcome you and wish you good luck. I also hope you will search for a means of continuous communication and uninterrupted dialogue between Arab and foreign businessmen and intellectuals.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.
