Mr Khader is widely admired these days as a constructive player in inter-religious relations.

ECONOMIST: Denmark's cartoons

His official title is president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue.

BBC: Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald

Indeed, the new pontiff was known to be sceptical of the value of that inter-religious dialogue dear to the heart of his predecessor.

ECONOMIST: Pope Benedict

The inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims is, in effect, a vital necessity, on which a large part of our future depends.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Pope stresses respect for Muslims

In addition, Sister Maria Pia Giudici was presented with the Mediterranean Award for Inter-religious dialogue for her dedication to peace and dialogue between different faiths.

UNESCO: OFFICE IN DHAKA

Just like inter-racial marriages and inter-religious marriages were once considered immoral affronts to decency but are now accepted as part of the rich fabric of American life, so too will same-sex marriage eventually just be accepted.

FORBES: What To Do Now if You Oppose Same-Sex Marriage

Some of the specific areas of focus include, strengthening the legal and constitutional footing of faith-based and government partnerships, scaling up partnerships to provide streamlined access to benefits, engaging faith-based and community groups in greening buildings and promoting inter-religious cooperation through service.

WHITEHOUSE: Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Blog

The organizers are: The Russian Academy for Public Administration, under the President of the Russian Federation, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, UNESCO Chair for Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures and Interreligious Dialogue, the UNESCO Network of Chairs on Intercultural and Inter-religious Dialogue and the UNESCO Moscow Office.

UNESCO: CULTURA