The MWL Journal 2019 January Issue.Pdf
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Letter From the Editor Islamic Unity… a religious duty and cultural imperative Every loyal and sincere Muslim aspires to see narrow-minded thoughts of certain people or the day when the Islamic unity is a reality on schools, and the emergence of blocs and par- the ground. It is a sublime goal which many ties that work to divide the Ummah and turn consider as the only guarantee for coexistence it into belligerent factions and parties. Add to between the Muslis and the only way for the this the classification of ideological orienta- prosperity of their countries. We should all tions, which pose the greatest threat to social share the conviction that Islamic unity is the peace. inevitable and indispensable option. These things are against the Shari’ah teach- We should all make efforts and work to- ings, rules and purposes. A Muslim should not gether to achieve Islamic unity based on our be bigoted and have fanatic opinions about a common human values transcending division certain group or school of thought. A Mus- and fighting. Our efforts should focus on the lim should not discriminate against his fellow one and only Ummah described in the Noble brother, nor kill him, or call him a kafir or even Qur’an and this should be our supreme objec- exclude him. A Muslim should focus on har- tive. mony and unity. Islamic unity is a religious must as clearly We should overlook unintentional mistakes expressed in the Noble Qur’an and hadith. The and oversights and not shame, misguide, and Noble Qur’an says, “And hold fast, all of you exclude a fellow Muslim. We should dispel together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Qur’an), misconceptions using strong arguments and and be not divided among yourselves.” (Surat respect the opinions of scholars. We should not Al-Imran, Verse: 103). “The believers are noth- exaggerate jurisprudence differences in public ing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So because such differences should be discussed make reconciliation between your brothers.” by and among scholars only. (Surat Al-Hujurat, Verse: 10); “…and do not It is sad that our societies have not com- dispute (with one another) lest you lose cour- plied with the teachings of the Noble Qur’an age and your strength depart, and be patient. and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace Surely, Allah is with those who are the patient be upon him) although the Prophet urged us ones.” (Surat Al-Anfal, Verse: 46). The second to do so and warned us against not following verse above calls for meeting the requirements these two sources. He also warned us against for unity while the third one rejects dispute hatred when he said, “Beware of hatred for and division because they disunite Muslims. it is the shearer; it does not shear hair but it The Islamic teachings call for strengthening shears religion.” Islamic bonds of brotherhood and not engag- In line with its responsibility toward the ing in any actions that cause hatred and deepen Ummah, the Muslim World League strives to the differences. Unity is where the interest and unite all Muslims and bridge the differences benefit of Muslims lie. between scholars and emphasize the scholars’ Needless to say that Muslim communities role in bringing together all Muslims. have been suffering from hardships includ- May Allah Almighty bless the MWL efforts ing conflicts, disputes, fanaticism, religious and forums aiming to enhance Islamic unity as intolerance, narrow-mindedness regarding well as political and economic solidarity! And the comprehensiveness of Islam in addition to for Allah that is not hard. PB lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l 1 Final.indd 1 24/04/1440 AH 12:03 PM Al-Issa: “Extremists are responsible for their violations” 4 MWL Secretary General receives 10 Egypt’s Coptic Bishop Morcos in Riyadh 2 lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l 3 Final.indd 2 24/04/1440 AH 12:03 PM MWL Secretary General Meets Head of Lebanon’s Druze Community 8 The Manifesto of Language and Identity 41 2 lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l 3 Final.indd 3 24/04/1440 AH 12:03 PM Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa addresses the opening ceremony Al-Issa: “Extremists are responsible for their violations” Abu Dhabi During the opening of the forum of rein- rights organizations. Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa forcing peace in Abu Dhabi, the Secretary made clear that the Islamic values that pro- General of Muslim World League (MWL), tected all legitimate rights and freedoms of Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim others were not a grant or gift from human, Al-Issa stressed that difference and diver- but a mercy from Allah to all communities sity are of human beings’ nature. The con- for the purpose of spreading peace, pros- ference called “Hilf Al-Fudul; Chance to perity and stability. These Islamic values Enhance Global Peace” was attended by came as one bloc not divided and they are 800 representatives of religions and human well-fortified against any penetration. 4 lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l 5 Final.indd 4 24/04/1440 AH 12:03 PM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, Dr. Al-Issa and Sheikh Bin Bia during the forum Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa added that Islam estab- Virtuous. The Prophet also said about this al- lished moral and ethical pillars foremost liance: “If I were invited to this alliance in among them the preservation of the right Islam, I would attend.” of the other even enemies and warriors’ be- Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa mentioned three seri- cause Islam’s criterion is justice and human ous mistakes some people commit when try- dignity. Allah says: “And if ye give your ing to understand some historical facts. First, word, do justice thereunto, even though it be those who commit absurd practices and acts (against) a kinsman.” Allah also says: ...and of hatred and terrorism are only responsible let not hatred of any people seduce you that for their acts and violations. All religions are ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer full of followers who commit violations and to your duty.” These are rules and principles practices of hatred, while their religions are of Islamic religion that cannot be touched or innocent of these violations and practices. violated under any pretext. Prophet Muham- Second, all international intellectuals did not mad (peace be upon him) praised Hilf Al- notice that Islamic religion safeguard the le- Fudul that was a seventh-century alliance gitimate rights and freedoms of people with- created by various Makkans, on top of them out exception, to the extent that scholars and the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, to estab- jurists of Islam confirmed that Allah upholds lish fair commercial dealing. Because of Mu- the just state and neglects the unjust one re- hammad’s role in its formation, the alliance gardless of religion. Consequently, the cri- plays a significant role in Islamic ethics. Be- terion and principle of justice are applied to cause Fudul commonly means “virtuous” the all. Third mistake is that opinions are circu- alliance is often translated as League of the lated from time to time about the position of 4 lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l 5 Final.indd 5 24/04/1440 AH 12:03 PM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed mediated by Dr. Muhammad Al-Issa and Sheikh Bin Bia Islam with respect to other religions. Those Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa said: “The Islamic Con- who believe that Islam came to uproot other stitution granted them an exceptional privi- religions are very wrong. Those wrong intel- lege in its jurisprudence. Islam also named lectuals also provide examples that Islam the followers of those two heavenly religions spread with sword and they also cite some the people of the Book together with protect- historical facts or the misinterpretations of ing the rights of other religions. In addition, the texts that are not complete. Prophet Mu- Islam put spot light on all religious minori- hammad’s life is full of examples of mercy ties. This occurred when Prophet Muham- and justice to all people. Allah says: “And mad, peace be upon him, traveled to Madinah if thy Lord willed, all who are in the earth fleeing the persecution of the disbelievers of would have believed together. Wouldst thou Quraish tribe. In Madinah, the Prophet es- (Muhammad) compel men until they are be- tablished the rules of comprehensive citizen- lievers?” the speech is directed to the Islamic ship and gave minorities all their rights to nation. live in peace. Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa made clear Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa rejected what is cir- that some historical events that took place culated by some writers about Islam. They between Islam and other religions were the say that Islam denied the right of existence result of purely political disputes that have of some heavenly religions to live in peace. no relations with the existence of other. This Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa pointed out that Islam un- is an irrefutable historical fact. Some intel- derstands the existence of all religions as an lectuals misunderstand these historical facts inevitable universal law and difference and because of their lack of knowledge of the diversity are of the nature of human beings. truth from their authenticated sources Regarding Judaism and Christianity, Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa stressed that the Is- 6 lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l lRabi Al-Thani 1440/January 2019 l 7 Final.indd 6 24/04/1440 AH 12:03 PM Side of the forum attendance lamic religion is the religion of mercy and those who show mercy.” tolerance.