The Queen of Jordan Rania Al Abdullah addressed hundreds of
business leaders, scholars and government officials at the Summer
Davos yesterday, calling on them to adopt a new global "moral
language of the conscience" to help bridge the growing divide
between the Muslim world and the West.
Queen Rania also urged the audience to carry the spirit of the
Beijing 2008 Olympics, its slogan being "One
World, One Dream".
"As an Arab, a Muslim and a member of the global community, the
schism that worries me most is the growing gulf of fear and
misunderstanding between the Muslim world and the West our failure
to speak the same language our failure to find common ground in our
conversation our failure to see eye to eye," she said.
Jordan and China are celebrating the 30th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between them.
Queen Rania drew on the commonalities between the two countries
and emphasized China's achievements.
"Today, the people of China are writing a bold new chapter in
their history and navigating one of the most exciting journeys in
the course of human development," she said.
"I hope that when you leave Dalian and return to your countries,
you too are infused with the Olympic spirit and will join your
voices with those of 1.3 billion Chinese people all calling 'One
World, One Dream' so that Beijing's legacy to the world is more
than a wonderful Olympic arena more than words of harmony and hope,
but the foundation of a new world team -- one that is joined
together by mutual respect, common goals and shared
understanding."
Queen Rania said the power of the individual was evident in the
new generation of companies that will fundamentally change the
global competitive landscape.
She said she hoped that these champions would use their success
to help build an "innovative future that will reflect the timeless
wisdom of the past".
Queen Rania also gave several examples as to how "global
conversation" was lagging -- illustrating the prevalent
misperceptions and the lack of common understanding between the
Muslim world and West.
One such misconception was the veil, commonly worn by many
Muslim women, as a form of religious expression.
"Too many in the West mistakenly perceive it as a sign of
oppression and compliance," she said.
She asserted that such misconceptions are due to missing "moral
language of the conscience, the graceful conversation of the
hearts, and the humanitarian perspective that helps us to see
through another person's eye".
Queen Rania urged the young leaders in the audience to help
address this perception gap and create a positive impact.
"I am convinced that your voices can help change the global
conversation and reassert the basic values that are at the heart of
our common humanity -- the ABCs of a common language," she
said.
"You can be 'New Champions' of not only commerce, but of
conciliation; not only of trade but of tolerance; not only of
profit, but of peace and understanding."
(Shanghai Start September 8, 2007)
