The Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations began in Istanbul's Ciragan Palace yesterday with the attendance of heads of state and government and other top officials from 81 countries, high-level representatives of international organizations, religious leaders, scholars and many guests. Speaking at the opening of the forum, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who shares the alliance's co-chairmanship with his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, said the initiative is a rejoinder to those who argue a clash of civilizations is inevitable. Stating that Turkey and Spain began the initiative in the belief that dialogue is possible, Erdogan said, "We sincerely believe that the Christian, Muslim and Jewish peoples, and the East and the West, can understand and tolerate each other. Prejudices in a globalizing world can only be dangerous." Erdogan said that intolerance causes conflicts and separation, adding that it is necessary to enhance tolerance and strengthen dialogue, understanding and solidarity. Stressing that terrorism is an international problem, Erdogan said, "Those who see terror as other nations' problem may suffer from terror themselves. Thus, starting today, it is necessary to build a strong culture of solidarity." He said the Alliance of Civilizations, which became a UN initiative in 2005, is now creating concrete solutions and projects to improve dialogue and cooperation among different civilizations from all over the world. Erdogan concluded his speech by quoting famous Turkish mystic poet Mevlana Rumi: "Come, come whatever you are, it doesn't matter. Come, our convent is not a place of despair. Come, even if you violated your oath a hundred times, come again."
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