KAICIID Dialogue Centre

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue
FoundedNovember 2012
FounderKingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Austria and Kingdom of Spain
TypeIntergovernmental Organization, International UN-recognised Organization
FocusPeacebuilding, social cohesion, interfaith and cultural dialogue, justice, human rights, reconciliation, human dignity, religious education
HeadquartersLisbon, Portugal
Location
  • Rua Castilho 52, 1250-071 Lisbon
Area served
Global
MethodConvener, dialogue forum, acting as a knowledge hub, empowering other organisations already working in the field of dialogue, partnership, information exchange
Key people
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
Dr. Zuhair Alharthi: Secretary-General
Employees
50, when fully staffed, in Lisbon
Websitewww.kaiciid.org

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, mostly referred to as "The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID"[1] and globally known by its abbreviation, KAICIID, is an inter-governmental organization that promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue to prevent and resolve conflict. It was established in Vienna, Austria, but relocated to Lisbon, Portugal on 1 July 2022.[1][2][3]

KAICIID was opened in 2012 by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Austria and the Kingdom of Spain, following the initiative of Pope Benedict XVI and King Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who met in 2007 to discuss the founding of a new interfaith activity.[4][5][6][7][8][9] The Holy See is a founding observer.[10] The centre and its mission have been endorsed by many religious leaders and high-level politicians, including the Viennese Community Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister, the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Schönborn, and the former Austrian President Heinz Fischer.[11][12] In 2021, Austrian media outlets reported that Japan, Argentina, Morocco, Indonesia and Canada were reportedly considering to join the organization as new member states.[13][14]

  1. ^ "Abdullah-Zentrum schließt in Wien endgültig seine Pforten". Der Standard (in Austrian German). Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Lisbon to host King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID)". KAICIID. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  3. ^ "What we do". KAICIID. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Who We Are". KAICIID. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Muslim leaders and Vatican put faith in dialogue". The Tablet. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  6. ^ "King Abdullah interfaith dialogue center opens in Vienna". Arab News. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  7. ^ "Saudi intercultural centre to be opened in Vienna". Al Shorfa. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Secretary-General discusses regional developments with King of Saudi Arabia". United Nations News. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Kingdom calls for trust, dialogue". Arab News. June 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  10. ^ Governance | KAICIID
  11. ^ "Live: Religious Communities from Around the World Pledge Support for KAICIID". KAICIID. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  12. ^ Akinyosoye, Clara (22 October 2021). "KAICIID: Umzug nach Lissabon fix". religion.ORF.at (in German). Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Wiener Abdullah-Zentrum sucht jetzt neue Geldgeber". Kronen Zeitung (in German). 8 November 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Zeitung: KAICIID zieht nach Lissabon". news.ORF.at (in German). 24 June 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.