Ribal Al-Assad

"Ribal Al-Assad is the Founder and Chairman of the Iman Foundation. He is extensively involved in promoting dialogue, understanding and relations between the Arab world and the West. Ribal, 37, was born in Syria and has lived in the West since being exiled from his country as a child. He brings fresh ideas and perspectives to promoting dialogue between civilisations and strengthening international understanding and relations. Ribal is a regular speaker on inter-religious and inter-cultural platforms and regularly interacts with religious and cultural leaders, politicians, civil servants, academics, journalists, think tanks, cultural and religious groups across the world.

"Ribal has a track record of promoting dialogue and relations between Muslims, Christians and Jews around the globe. Over the last few years he has successfully been involved in helping to tackle inter-religious and intra-religious conflict and violence in Lebanon. One of his notable achievements was to help facilitate a rapprochement between the Alawite and the Sunni Muslims in North Lebanon.

"Ribal is also Founder and Director of the Organisation for Democracy and Freedom in Syria, which promotes democracy, freedom and human rights in Syria and the Middle East. Ribal holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the InterAmerican University in New York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. He is fluent in Arabic, English, French and Spanish. Ribal is a keen sportsman with a special interest in Tai boxing, Shaolin kung-fu, swimming and tennis. Currently living in London, he is married and has a baby son."