News Release

Muslim Interfaith Expert Shares Message of Tolerance and Understanding

Visiting Omani scholar, Dr Mohammed Said Al-Mamari, recently spoke to members and guests of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brisbane on the topic of achieving peace through understanding and tolerance, despite differences in culture and belief.

Dr Al-Mamari is an advisor to the Sultanate of Oman’s Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs.

He is also the supervisor of Tolerance, Understanding and Coexistence—an initiative established by the government of Oman which promotes dialogue and unity among faiths.

Dr Al-Mamari shared a powerful message of goodwill with those in attendance at the 14 July event. He focused on three principles: knowing about other people; getting to know them individually; and acknowledging them.

“When different people sit with each other, they get to know each other, and hatred ends,” Dr Al-Mamari said.

He also highlighted the dangers of exclusive attitudes, rather than inclusive ones.

“Often our societal problems are based on the failure to acknowledge others who are different,” he said.

Dr Al-Mamari is highly regarded as an expert in interfaith relations in Oman and around the world. He has spoken to audiences in over 30 nations. 

Director of the Centre for Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue at Griffith University, Dr Brian Adams, organised the event.

Dr Adams, who is also a lay leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, encouraged those in attendance to reach out to others and respect their choice to worship "how, where or what they may."

“While we will maintain our own beliefs as Latter-day Saints," he said, "it is also core to us to allow others to do the same."

Young Brisbane woman, Maelee Kelly, said she wanted to act on Dr Al-Mamari’s invitation "to better get to know people of other religions and cultures."

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