At a conference organized by the Arab League in cooperation with the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Dr. Naẓīr ʿAyād, the Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy, stated that Islam views religious pluralism as an inevitable necessity and a universal sunna. This comes from Islam’s recognition of the ‘the other’, regardless of belief, as a brother in humanity. He added that Islam confirms the principle of interfaith dialogue, whose purpose is unity and the rejection of conflict and asserted that Islam is not satisfied with mere interfaith dialogue, but also with taking into proper consideration the needs and beliefs of ‘others.’ He remarked that dialogue must proceed from common principles between two parties in order to be a foundation for their dialogue.