ST. PETERSBURG, Russia: Cooperation between nations and peoples depends on “civilized leadership” and adherence to common values, according to Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League (MWL). In a lecture at St. Petersburg State University, Al-Issa called on political leaders to show “enlightened vision” as they seek solutions to national and global issues. The MWL chief was speaking before Prof. Nikolay Kropachev, rector of the university, along with teaching staff, academics, researchers and students. He highlighted the importance of civilized communication between countries and peoples to promote rapprochement, understanding and exchange, and to eliminate “negative barriers and misconceptions usually found in the absence of dialogue.” Human beings share many values, Al-Issa said. In order to survive and stay healthy, civilizations need to rely on justice and foresight, using the skills of management, communication and respect for common law. “Adopting justice, values and positive openness with the skills of communication and foresight leads to civilized leadership,” he said. “Building a national personality with enlightened vision is a basis of leadership and the solution to many of nations’ and states’ problems. Spiritual values are often applied in words but not in honest actions.” Civilizations are eroded if they go against the principles of common humanitarian law, he said. Al-Issa also called on media to maintain high standards. “If media dominance is lacking values, it will result in fact-falsifying and brainwashing,” he said. The MWL chief said that “real power today no longer relies on solid power solely but also on soft power, which is often a decisive element.” Al-Issa praised Russia as an “open civilization,” saying the country supports houses of worship as part of its national cultural heritage, while other secular nations “are drowning in separating the spiritual and physical worlds.” These countries “not only fail to appreciate the religious aspect, but also reject its official existence, recognizing certain religions and rejecting others. This duality does not serve national harmony and even complicates integration plans,” he said. Positive integration contributes to the power of a civilization, provided all religions are equal. Minorities, whatever their religion and ethnicity, should be considered part of the national culture, Al-Issa said.