The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), in collaboration with the School of Policy and International Affairs (SPIA) at the University of Maine, hosted a conference entitled: “Islam and the West: A Civilized Dialogue” from 16 to 17 May, 2011, at the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Hall on its office precincts in Abu Dhabi. 

Distinguished intellectuals, decision-makers and academic luminaries covered a host of important and highly relevant subjects to fully explore all aspects of the conference title. The panel-titles over the two-day conference were: ‘The Role of Historical Heritage in Civilizational Dialogue,’ ‘Civilizational Dialogue and the Current Situation,’ ‘the Islamic World and the West: Bridging the Gap’ and ‘Confidence-Building Mechanisms: Moving Toward Coexistence.’ 

His Excellency Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General, Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, said: "This conference comes at an opportune moment, as the world which is experiencing significant shifts towards building new relations and vision between Islam and the West." He pointed out that there is still time to project the true image of Islam and Muslims and correct the distorted view created by terrorism over the past several years. He also stressed the need to confront the notions in the West that link violence and terrorism with Islam, through peaceful, meaningful and constructive dialog.