TEHRAN, Oct. 13 (ISNA)-The head of Dialogue Among Cultures and Civilizations Foundation, Mohammad Khatami, held talks with some of the world leaders on the verge of the "Religion in the Modern World" conference in Tehran.

Khatami, Iran's former President, outlined the foundation's activities and approaches which aim at promoting peace between Islamic World and the West.

Former Irish President Mary Robinson

Prominent think-tanks, political and religious leaders, including former UN chief Kofi Annan, the European Commission president Romano Prodi, the former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, the ex-Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, the former Irish President Mary Robinson and the ex-Seri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga are among guests attending in the meeting.


Romano Prodi

Participants are slated to review relation between religion and globalization, modernity, democracy, peace and justice.


former UN chief Kofi Annan

Khatami's speech at the conference

Mohammad Khatami delivered the following speech at "Religion in the Modern World" conference in Tehran:

The world today has affected both people living in the West and those in the East, the former Iranian President said.

The roots of the modern world are much looser comparing to the bases of the world in the past, Khatami added.

As the time passes emotional, social and cultural disorders between the West and the East are emerging, he added.

Today the fact that the human being will not have a satisfactory life when he forgets about the God is becoming visible, even if he has achieved great financial, technical and scientific success, he added.

The God has also stressed that any body who forgets me, will have a bitter life, he added.

Such a condition will lead to the annihilation and will destroy life in the world, if continued, Khatami noted.

But religion can help us in such a condition, and now the question is that what the religion is, he said adding religion is what the God has sent to lead human being towards the right path and makes his life fruitful.

He also stressed what has been introduced as religion in the history does not necessarily share the same nature with the real image of religion.

Religion can help people in difficult circumstances without bringing damages to constructive civilization achievements, the former Iranian President said.

What seems to be catastrophic is the absence of the similar nature of religions, so superficial differences among religions should not prevent solidarity among their followers.

He also called for religious leaders of the world to try ways to create a peaceful co-existence and invite the world to establish peace and security.

Representatives from France, Sri Lanka, Italy, Portugal, Ireland and the former UN Chief have participated in the two-day meeting.

Participants of the conference are slated to review relation between religion and globalization, modernity, democracy, peace and justice.