Inter-faith Dialogue Breaking Over Politics: Experts
Inter-faith Dialogue Breaking Over Politics: Experts:
"Such dialogue can’t undo what has been done by politics and differences should have a political rather than a religious solution," said Tamimi.
By Adel Abdel Halim, IOL Correspondent
CAIRO, October 2, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – The current spree of inter-faith forums cannot bridge the gap between the West and the Muslim world as differences are basically political and not religious, leading Muslim intellectuals and scholars have agreed.
"The West wrongfully thinks that interfaith dialogues could relax the strained and marred relations with the Muslim world," Azzam Al-Tamimi, the director of the London-based Islamic Political Thought Institute, told IslamOnline.net.
He said "intensifying" such dialogues by the West leaves the impression that the current standoff between both sides is religion-oriented, though it has everything to do with politics.
"Such dialogue can’t undo what has been done by politics and differences should have a political rather than a religious solution," added the Palestinian-born intellectual.
From Cairo to Rome, a series of inter-faith dialogues were held only over the past ten days.
They were culminated Friday, September 30, in Rome with a two-day conference on food traditions in the three monotheistic religions.
The Turkish capital Istanbul on September 25-27 hosted the "Alliance of Civilizations" conference, which drew scathing criticism from Islamists and some opposition parties.
In Jordan, a five-day seminar on the common ground between religions wrapped up on September 22 under the auspices of the US Institute of Peace (UIP).
Trap
Elwani said intensifying inter-faith dialogues aimed at "putting Muslims on the defensive".
Tamimi charged that the West was "trapping" Muslims into taking critical stands and making concession on key political issues without addressing the root cause of the problem.
"I urge Muslims not to take part in any inter-faith dialogue unless it is based on a clear agenda and a set of goals."
Taha Jabir Al-Elwani, the chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of North America (ISCNA), added that this kind of dialogue was designed to appease anti-West feeling prevailing across the Muslim world over the US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
He said that such intense dialogues were aimed at "putting Muslims on the defensive."
Al-Elwani added: "Dialogues, when the power balance is disproportionate in favor of the West, are nothing but a bid to convince Muslims of normalizing relations and achieve the West's agenda."
Ambassador Nabil Badr, a former Egyptian assistant foreign minister, agreed.
He said the West wants to "contain" Muslim anger at "aggressions by the West on Muslim countries and peoples."
He maintained that intensifying inter-faith dialogues aims "at concealing the interest factor which still largely controls world affairs."
The diplomat said that instead Muslims, particularly the Sunnis and the Shiites, should talk to one another, to clear up some religious differences.
"We will not be in a weak position and will be confident in our dialogue with the West if we become united."
Beneficial
But Sheikh Fawzi El-Zefzaf, the chairman of Al-Azhar’s Committee of Inter-faith Dialogue, sees a positive side in the plethora of dialogues.
"They are an ample opportunity for Muslims to clear stereotypes on Islam and a way to reach out to the other," he said.
The Cairo-based Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, welcomed an initiative by US Undersecretary of State for Diplomacy Karen Hughes to activate cooperation between religions in combating terrorism.
Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to deliver a message on Islamic-Christian ties and inter-faith dialogue on Tuesday, October 4, in Paris before the annual conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The conference itself, which marks the organization’s 60th birthday, is dedicated to the dialogue between religions and cultures.
"Such dialogue can’t undo what has been done by politics and differences should have a political rather than a religious solution," said Tamimi.
By Adel Abdel Halim, IOL Correspondent
CAIRO, October 2, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – The current spree of inter-faith forums cannot bridge the gap between the West and the Muslim world as differences are basically political and not religious, leading Muslim intellectuals and scholars have agreed.
"The West wrongfully thinks that interfaith dialogues could relax the strained and marred relations with the Muslim world," Azzam Al-Tamimi, the director of the London-based Islamic Political Thought Institute, told IslamOnline.net.
He said "intensifying" such dialogues by the West leaves the impression that the current standoff between both sides is religion-oriented, though it has everything to do with politics.
"Such dialogue can’t undo what has been done by politics and differences should have a political rather than a religious solution," added the Palestinian-born intellectual.
From Cairo to Rome, a series of inter-faith dialogues were held only over the past ten days.
They were culminated Friday, September 30, in Rome with a two-day conference on food traditions in the three monotheistic religions.
The Turkish capital Istanbul on September 25-27 hosted the "Alliance of Civilizations" conference, which drew scathing criticism from Islamists and some opposition parties.
In Jordan, a five-day seminar on the common ground between religions wrapped up on September 22 under the auspices of the US Institute of Peace (UIP).
Trap
Elwani said intensifying inter-faith dialogues aimed at "putting Muslims on the defensive".
Tamimi charged that the West was "trapping" Muslims into taking critical stands and making concession on key political issues without addressing the root cause of the problem.
"I urge Muslims not to take part in any inter-faith dialogue unless it is based on a clear agenda and a set of goals."
Taha Jabir Al-Elwani, the chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of North America (ISCNA), added that this kind of dialogue was designed to appease anti-West feeling prevailing across the Muslim world over the US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
He said that such intense dialogues were aimed at "putting Muslims on the defensive."
Al-Elwani added: "Dialogues, when the power balance is disproportionate in favor of the West, are nothing but a bid to convince Muslims of normalizing relations and achieve the West's agenda."
Ambassador Nabil Badr, a former Egyptian assistant foreign minister, agreed.
He said the West wants to "contain" Muslim anger at "aggressions by the West on Muslim countries and peoples."
He maintained that intensifying inter-faith dialogues aims "at concealing the interest factor which still largely controls world affairs."
The diplomat said that instead Muslims, particularly the Sunnis and the Shiites, should talk to one another, to clear up some religious differences.
"We will not be in a weak position and will be confident in our dialogue with the West if we become united."
Beneficial
But Sheikh Fawzi El-Zefzaf, the chairman of Al-Azhar’s Committee of Inter-faith Dialogue, sees a positive side in the plethora of dialogues.
"They are an ample opportunity for Muslims to clear stereotypes on Islam and a way to reach out to the other," he said.
The Cairo-based Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, welcomed an initiative by US Undersecretary of State for Diplomacy Karen Hughes to activate cooperation between religions in combating terrorism.
Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to deliver a message on Islamic-Christian ties and inter-faith dialogue on Tuesday, October 4, in Paris before the annual conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The conference itself, which marks the organization’s 60th birthday, is dedicated to the dialogue between religions and cultures.
posted by ltf ha at 4:14 AM
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