KAICIID Dialogue Centre

Vienna, Austria

Claudia Bandion - Ortner ( Deputy Secretary General )

October 13, 2011

The King Abdullah Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, also known by the acronym KAICIID, is a global NGO that was founded in October 2011 by the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah. The governments of Austria and Spain are involved in the center, with the aim to protect the KAICIID from political influence. The opening of the center took place on 27 November 2012 in Vienna.

Mission

The KAICIID with headquarters in the Austrian capital Vienna has the aim to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue worldwide. To provide a forum for cooperation, communication, partnership and information exchange should be created, which should lead to increase awareness and understanding of people around the world.

Of particular importance are the KAICIID the issues of human rights, justice, peace and above all to prevent the misuse of religion to justify as a means of oppression and violence.

Genesis

On October 13, 2011, the contract for the establishment of the King Abdullah Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna was signed by the governments of Austria, Spain and Saudi Arabia.

The center itself was opened on 27 November 2012 in Vienna at the Palais Sturany. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of different religions. The celebration was overshadowed by protests of the Green Party of Austria as well as numerous Austrian NGOs denouncing the poor human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and the fear expressed that KAICIID would of Saudi Arabia being misused to spread Wahhabism in Europe.

Board of Directors

The members of its Executive Board (Board of Directors ) are: Agnivesh, Hamad Al- Majed, Miguel Ayuso ( Guixot ), Emmanuel ( Adamakis ), Toby Howarth, Ataollah Mohajerani, Kosho Niwano, David Rosen and Mohammad Sammak.