« BACK TO FORUM
 Author |
 Post
|
 |
|
Sockit2Ya
Joined: Feb 27, 2007
Posts: 311 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male & 30
Country: Canada
Province/State: Northwest Territories
|
Saudi king calls for end to Islamic extremism
June 4, 2008 - 12:13 PM
|
|
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Islam must do away with the dangers of extremism and present the religion's positive message, Saudi King Abdullah said Wednesday as he opened a conference of Muslim figures aimed at launching a dialogue with Christians and Jews.
The three-day gathering in the holy city of Mecca seeks a unified Muslim voice ahead of the interfaith dialogue. In particular, Saudi Arabia hopes to promote reconciliation between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
Abdullah walked into the conference hall Wednesday with powerful Iranian politician Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who later sat on the king's left on the stage, sending a message that the Sunni kingdom does not have a problem with moderate Shiites like him.
Saudi Arabia and mainly Shiite Iran are seen as top rivals for influence in the Middle East, standing on opposite sides of political divides in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia's official Wahhabi interpretation of Islam considers Shiites as infidels — and days ahead of Wednesday's gathering a number of hardline Wahhabi clerics issued a statement harshly condemning Shiites and Iran.
Abdullah announced in March that he wanted to sponsor an interfaith dialogue between the world's monotheistic religions — specifically including Jews. It was the first such initiative from a nation with no diplomatic ties to Israel and a ban on non-Muslim religious services and symbols.
He said Wednesday that the Islamic world faces difficult challenges from the extremism of some Muslims, whose aggressions "target the magnanimity, fairness and lofty aims of Islam."
"That's why (the conference) invitation was extended — to face the challenges of isolation, ignorance and narrow horizons, so that the world can absorb the good message of Islam," he said.
"Before we speak with other religions, we must speak among ourselves and reach an understanding on a particular Islamic path," he said, calling for greater understanding between Sunnis and Shiites.
"We should support each other ... not weaken each other or sully each other's reputation," he said. "As a Muslim and a Shiite and an expert in Islamic issues ... I tell you that there are many things in common (between us) and there's no need to look at differences."
Participants say they hope the gathering will culminate in an agreement on a global Islamic charter on dialogue with Christians and Jews. They expect Saudi Arabia will launch its formal call for an interfaith dialogue at the conference's close or soon after.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080604/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_interfaith_dialogue;_ylt=AvOpByeI0rNsvcudBFulLHGs0NUE
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Merlyn
Joined: Sep 6, 2006
Posts: 263 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 28
Country: Sudan
Province/State: Al Khartum
City: Khartoum
|
Re: Saudi king calls for end to Islamic extremism
June 23, 2008 - 01:15 PM
|
|
Is this a joke or a latest gimmick aimed at deviating attention from the oil issue?
This guy has to look real hard at his own country before making such public declarations. Did he forget where most of 9/11 bombers came from? Or does he think his recent show of crackdown on few minor suspects is gonna give him enough credibility to advance his feeble name and image of world saviour?
Too many people need to do some self-analysis..
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
|
Display posts from:
|
|
