Hosting the group, Dr. Navvab, the president of the University of Religions and Denominations, expressed a warm welcome to the religious leaders, inviting them to consider the university as their second home.

Dr. Navvab condemned the current sporadic radical and extremist activities under the name of Islam such as insulting the other faiths and stressed that the mainstream of the Muslim community is opposed to such practices and our brothers throughout the world, ought to be aware that anyone who does these insults is not a true follower of Islam, but he is an ignorant defamer.

After the inaugurating speech by Dr. Navvab Christian and Muslim leaders, in brief, discussed the importance of dialogue among religions in order to stop extremism, fanaticism and violence.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja stressed the “coexistence” between faiths in Nigeria, although “there are sometimes clashes.” However, encounter and dialogue are “the best solutions in the eyes of God to solve the problems.

Sunni Sheikh Mahdi Sumaidaie, General Mufti of Iraq, emphasized the problem related to extremism and the ideology of takfirism, which has caused much bloodshed not only in his country, but in many areas of the world. He called for joint efforts of Christians, Muslims and Jews to reinstate a peaceful coexistence, which has happened and is still happening not only in Iraq but also in other parts of the Arab world and the West.

It is to be noted that the Christian-Muslim Summit was previously held in Washington (2010), Beirut (2011) and the Vatican (2014), being attended by prominent Christian figures (Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants) as well as notable Muslims .