Jakarta, Dec 20, 2019, SPA -- King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Dialogue among Followers of Religions and Cultures and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in partnership with the Indonesian Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations (CDCC), organized a regional workshop entitled "Together for Diversity and Promoting Dialogue among Religions." As many as 65 participants, including religious leaders, institutions, and policy makers from five different countries and representatives of institutions of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took part, in the forum, set within the framework of efforts to enhance understanding and cooperation among various religious communities, in South and Southeast Asia, during the past two days in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta. The workshop aimed to achieve a set of objectives, including: providing a platform for dialogue and communication among followers of religions and cultures, in South and Southeast Asia, enhancing cooperation among religious leaders and institutions from diverse religious backgrounds, in the areas of coexistence, acceptance of pluralism, and consolidating the values of common citizenship and supporting policymakers, at the regional level. Secretary-General of the Center for Global Dialogue Faisal bin Muammar delivered a speech at the opening session, during which he emphasized the issue of the growing phenomenon of extremism and hatred, whether on religious or ethnic grounds as it posed a great challenge to the concept of unity and coexistence, and a great threat to peace and security, all over the world. -- SPA 18:26 LOCAL TIME 15:26 GMT 0006 www.spa.gov.sa/w1232248