What a heart-warming article on the front page in today's edition of the GULF NEWS! 138 leading Muslim leaders and scholars have written an open letter to the leaders of the Christian world in which they extend their hand in friendship and peace. Some of the signatories include: Shaikh Dr Mohammed Salim Al Awa, the Secretary General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars; Dr Abdul Aziz Bin Othman Al Twaijiri, the Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Culture Organisation [ISESCO]; Prof Dr Abdul Wahab Bin Ebrahim Abu Sulaiman, member of the Comittee of Senior Ulama, Saudi Arabia; and several other Muslim scholars and leaders here from the United Arab Emirates. Here are some of the extracts from this open letter to all Christian leaders [Gulf News, p.2, Friday, October 12, 2007]:
- As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and Islam is not against them - so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes.
- As Muslims, and in obedience to the Holy Qur'an, we ask Christians to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions...that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take other lords beside God. Let this common ground be the basis of all future interfaith dialogue between us.
- If Muslims and Christians are not at peace, the world cannot be at peace. With the terrible weaponry of the modern world; with Muslims and Christians intertwined everywhere as never before, no side can unilaterally win a conflict between more than half of the world's inhabitants. Thus our common future is at stake. The very survival of the world itself is perhaps at stake.
- So let our differences not cause hatred and strife between us. Let us vie with each other only in righteousness and good works.
- Let us respect each other, be fair, just and kind to one another and live in sincere peace, harmony and mutual goodwill.
- Love of the neighbour is an essential part of faith in God and love of God because in Islam without love of the neighbour there is no true faith in God and no righteousness.
How awesome is this initiative! It makes my Muslim heart beat so much faster because of my love for my brothers who participated in this initiative and for the excellent example of Islamic peace, tolerance and love for justice that is demonstrated in it.
1 comment:
There can be no dialogue with Islam until Muslims start treating other religions with respect in those countries where they dominate.
When Non-Muslims have the freedom to preach, worship, build temples and churches in Islamic countries, we can talk.
When Muslims quit preaching hate toward other religions in the mosques, schools and media, we can talk.
When Muslims apologize for the hate and violence against Non-Muslims in the Quran and ahadith, we can talk.
Kactuz
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