A/HRC/31/18/Add.1 A. Interreligious communication and cooperation 28. One factor regularly mentioned in discussion on diversity was interreligious dialogue. The Special Rapporteur attended a “Christian-Islamic spiritual meeting”, an interreligious celebration on the day of the Annunciation, held at Coll ège NotreDame de Jamhour. In recent years, 25 March, which is of religious significance for Christians and Muslims alike, has been celebrated as an interreligious national holiday. During the ceremony, Christian and Muslim dignitaries symbolically proclaimed their mutual appreciation in consideration of their common religious roots. The ceremony was opened by a Muslim cleric citing verses from the Koran in harmony with the ringing of church bells. Young students from different religious backgrounds performed a dance through which they symbolically expressed their determination to work together against any violence committed in the name of religion. 29. When meeting with religious leaders from the various communities, the Special Rapporteur heard numerous commitments to interreligi ous dialogue with a view to fostering coexistence and cooperation. A term frequently used in this context was “conviviality”, which goes beyond mere tolerance, implying that people take an active interest in each other. Interreligious dialogue projects exist in different structures and formats, some remaining reserved to high -ranking religious dignitaries, while others also involve civil society organizations. Religious leaders have their regular summits, in which they discuss, inter alia, political issues of common concern. According to the Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, cooperation between religious leaders will be further consolidated institutionally in the near future. 30. The Lebanese Foundation for Interfaith Studies and Spiritual Solidarity (ADYAN) pursues a different approach by focusing more on ordinary members of different Christian and Muslim denominations. It believes in building (or rebuilding) coexistence in pluralistic and post-conflict societies, making diversity an added value for all, and fostering a sustainable reconciliation process. The Foundation promotes interreligious and intercultural communication in a number of Arab countries, including Lebanon, with a view to enabling people to discover common values and interests that foster the development of “inclusive citizenship”. Other dialogue projects aim at providing humanitarian assistance to people in need, including refugees from the Syrian Arab Republic and elsewhere. Maan (“One Community”) is a programme aimed at developing trust and social solidarity between different religious communities and their local leaders. Moreover, Association Justice et Miséricorde and others cooperate in contacting prison inmates to support their spiritual and social needs, given that, because of t heir living conditions and lack of prospects, many could become easy prey to religious radicalization. The Association also has working relations with radical figures in detention. 31. Interreligious dialogue projects have different formats s and pursue different purposes. While some mainly involve religious leaders, others reach out to community members more broadly. While some encounters chiefly aim at sending out symbolic messages, others have a more practical orientation. Many of the projects have a common purpose in improving conditions for better mutual understanding. 32. Whatever their precise formats or specific agenda, interreligious encounters, when held on a regular basis and on an equal footing of respect, can facilitate the development of sustainable trust across religious and denominational boundaries. 9