JEDDAH: One of the main factors behind the rise in extremism in the Islamic world is the sectarian activity being promoted by the enemies of Islam through TV channels and the Internet, said Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of Muslim World League.
He was speaking during an international conference, held under the title of “Islam’s moderation to combat terrorism and sectarianism,” at the Lombok island of Indonesia recently.
The event, organized by the MWL in collaboration with Indonesian scholars, was attended by President Joko Widodo.
“The sectarian activity is aimed at tearing apart the unity and fabric of the nation and distract its people from reforming their lives and get busy in a never-ending debate on historical issues, defaming the personalities of the good companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him),” he said.
Al-Turki said Sunni scholars should exert more efforts to inform the people about the dangers of the “sectarian project,” which might lead to the destruction of the Islamic nation and ruin its intellectual and political stability.
He said that the serious consequences of the sectarian interference in Iraq, Syria and Yemen calls for urgent steps to combat and counter it and to condemn the parties promoting it in the media.
Welcoming the guests, the Indonesian president said the purpose of the gathering is to strengthen the international efforts to combat terrorism and sectarianism, and highlight the good, tolerant and kind Islamic values that focus on the peaceful coexistence of the people of the world.
He urged the scholars, thinkers and preachers to exert all possible efforts to fight the deviant thoughts and ideology, asserting that Islam calls for moderation and rejects extremism and violence.
Al-Turki lauded the efforts of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the crown prince and deputy crown prince to combat terrorism and sectarianism.
Al-Turki says Internet, TV fanning sectarianism
Al-Turki says Internet, TV fanning sectarianism
