MANAMA, Oct 19 (News Agencies) - The Japanese government is eager to understand Islam and has decided to start a dialogue with the Muslim world in cooperation with the Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan's ambassador to Manama said in an interview published in Gulf News Friday.
Ambassador Yasuaki Ono told the newspaper that the need for a dialogue, to promote better understanding and closer ties between the Muslims and the rest of the world, has become even more important in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the U.S., and the subsequent military strikes on Afghanistan.
"As part of this initiative, a seminar under the theme 'dialogue of civilizations - with the world of Islam', which will be addressed by top intellectuals from 12 Muslim countries, will be held in March next year in Bahrain," the ambassador said.
Professor Yozo Itagaki, former chairman of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Study Group of Islam was scheduled to arrive in Bahrain Friday to finalize arrangements for the seminar with Ali Fakhro, Chairman of Bahrain's Center for Scientific Research, BCSR, and head of the Bahraini side at the seminar.
"The main purpose of Dr. Itagaki's visit to Bahrain is to have intensive discussions, in his capacity as chairperson of Japanese intellectuals in preparing the modality and contents of this seminar," Ono said.
Ambassador Ono said Tokyo attached great importance for "conducting Japan's foreign policy with a better understanding of Islam in view of the presence of more than a billion Muslims all over the world and their growing influence in various fields."
