JEDDAH, 22 May 2008 — A three-day international Islamic conference will begin at the Muslim World League (MWL) headquarters in Makkah on May 31 in preparation for the interfaith dialogue called for by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of the MWL, said the conference would discuss the basis for dialogue with other faiths in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah. “It will also review past experiences in the field to make use of them,” he added.
The conference, to be attended by leading Islamic scholars from around the world, will focus on four pivotal topics, such as the basis of dialogue in Islam, the methodology and principles of dialogue, parties involved in dialogue, and areas of dialogue.
Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid, president of the Shoura Council, will preside over the first session, which will see the presentation of a number of research papers on the concept of dialogue and its objectives in the Qur’an and Sunnah and experiences of cultural dialogue throughout history.”
The second session will be chaired by Sheikh Muhammad Ali Taskhery, secretary-general of the Center for Reconciliation of Islamic Schools of Thought. Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Haleel, chief justice of Jordan, will present a paper on the mechanisms of dialogue during this session.
Dr. Mustafa Ceric, mufti of Bosnia, will preside over the third session, which will focus on the importance of coordination among Islamic organizations in holding dialogue with other faiths. Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, secretary-general of the International Islamic Council for Dawa and Relief, will present a paper at this session.
Dr. Muhammad Al-Sammak, secretary-general of the Islamic Spiritual Summit in Lebanon, will speak on dialogue with followers of divine religions. Badr Al-Qassimi, deputy chairman of the Indian Fiqh Council, and Fouzi Al-Zafaf, former deputy director of Al-Azhar, will present papers in the third session.
The fourth session will be presided over by Abdul Rahman Sewar Al-Dahab, chairman of the board of trustees of the Islamic Dawa Organization. Dr. Mahmoud Ghazi of the College of Islamic Studies in Qatar will present a paper on the clash of civilizations and world peace, while Dr. Ali Uzak of Turkey will speak on the common ground of family and morality.
The MWL chief expressed hope that the conference would succeed in its objectives. He called on Muslim intellectuals to give their ideas for the successful conduct of the dialogue.
Meanwhile, Islamic cultural centers in different parts of the world have welcomed King Abdullah’s call for interfaith dialogue. “The Islamic societies and organizations in Spain support the king’s call for dialogue as it will contribute to promoting understanding between Muslims and others,” said Dr. Ibrahim Al-Zaid, director of the Islamic Cultural Center in Madrid.
