Ban Ki-moon Hails Algeria’s Vision of Interfaith Dialogue and Global Understanding During Landmark Visit to Djamaâ El Djazaïr

By Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS — Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Djamaâ El Djazaïr on Wednesday, where he was received by the Rector, Sheikh Mohamed Maâmoun Al Kacimi Al Hassani, in a meeting that highlighted Algeria’s positioning as a platform for intercultural dialogue, religious tolerance and civilizational exchange.

The discussions took place within the framework of Ban Ki-moon’s official visit to Algeria in his capacity as President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), combining environmental, developmental and cultural dimensions of engagement.

Sheikh Al Hassani praised Ban Ki-moon’s international record, describing him as a global figure associated with dialogue, conflict resolution and the search for common responses to global challenges. He underlined that Djamaâ El Djazaïr is not limited to its religious function, but also serves as a scientific and cultural institution dedicated to research, intellectual exchange and civilizational dialogue.

He further stressed Algeria’s historical and geographical positioning as a natural bridge between Africa, the Arab world and the Mediterranean basin, emphasizing its role as a meeting point of multiple cultural and civilizational spheres.

Ban Ki-moon, for his part, said he was pleased to visit Djamaâ El Djazaïr, noting that the experience had enriched his cultural and intellectual perspective. He praised what he described as Algeria’s “far-sighted positions” on issues related to dialogue, coexistence and international cooperation.

The former UN chief called for the promotion of tolerance, wisdom and mutual understanding among younger generations, stressing that education and shared values remain essential to building peaceful relations between peoples and cultures.

He added that transmitting the values of coexistence and dialogue is key to strengthening cooperation and fostering sustainable global stability, particularly in a context marked by rising geopolitical tensions and social fragmentation.

Ban Ki-moon’s remarks aligned with Djamaâ El Djazaïr’s stated mission of promoting intellectual openness and intercultural engagement, positioning the institution as both a religious landmark and a centre for knowledge production and dialogue.

The visit forms part of Ban Ki-moon’s broader programme in Algeria, which includes meetings and initiatives focused on sustainable development, environmental governance and cooperation through the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), reflecting the intersection between environmental diplomacy and cultural engagement in his agenda.

The exchange also highlighted Algeria’s broader diplomatic and cultural narrative, which emphasizes its African depth, Arab-Amazigh identity and Mediterranean dimension as foundations for its role in promoting dialogue between civilizations.

The visit concluded with both sides underscoring the importance of strengthening spaces of dialogue and cooperation in order to address shared global challenges and reinforce mutual understanding between societies.