Muslim leader denounces religious extremism

-01/06/06

The Grand Imam of the al-Azhar i


Muslim leader denounces religious extremism

-01/06/06

The Grand Imam of the al-Azhar in Cairo has denounced religious extremism and is encouraging Muslims to enter into active conversation and cooperation with Christians, according to the Straits Times.

In a speech to Malay Muslim leaders in Singapore last week, Sheik Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, who is also a partner in the Anglican Communionís global Anglican-Muslim dialogue, condemned religious violence and terror as ìevilî.

Declared the Sheikh: ì[Islam] should lead us away from blind fanaticism and hatred because [it] considers all human beings to have come from one mother and father.î
He added that the ìhand of peaceî should be extended to other faiths when they were under attack.

The Rt Rev Dr Mouneer Anis, Anglican Bishop of Egypt, has warmly welcomed the Grand Imamís contribution. He told the Church of England Newspaper this week that it reiterates a long-standing position of the al-Azhar, which calls ìSunni Muslims in Egypt to be moderate and peace-loving.î

Dr Tantawi also said that he was ìconcerned about the western attitude that recently insulted both Prophet Muhammed, through the cartoons, and Jesus Christ, through The Da Vinci Code.î

This is likely to ring alarm bells with those who are concerned that elements in each of the world faiths are encouraging each other to seek more restrictions on those who would criticise or mock beliefs they disagree with.

However it is reported that the Muslim leaders is willing to meet Pope Benedict and Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, and that he favours a joint communiquÈ calling both for respect for religion and freedom of expression.

Advocates of pluralism and secularity both within and beyond faith communities say that peaceful co-existence among the religions, which is a positive force, should not be used to reinforce further dangerous moves towards censorship in civil society.

[Also on Ekklesia: Tent of faith in Londonís finance centre; Global faith gathering tackles religious roots of terror; Support urged as Muslims confront extremism; Churches speak out for Islamic neighbours; Lutheran President calls for bridges of understanding; Japanese faith groups work to keep war-renouncing constitution; Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism says evangelical; New Archbishop to launch forum in terror link city; Called to Step into the Breach: The Churches’ Role in Overcoming Violence (book);World Council of Churches and Vatican to agree code on religious conversion; Interfaith parliament to address religious violence; Religions called to honesty, peace and common action; Violent God, Non-violent Jesus, Violent Christians: The Tragic Legacy of Biblical Violence June 24, 2006: A day seminar with Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer]


Muslim leader denounces religious extremism

-01/06/06

The Grand Imam of the al-Azhar in Cairo has denounced religious extremism and is encouraging Muslims to enter into active conversation and cooperation with Christians, according to the Straits Times.

In a speech to Malay Muslim leaders in Singapore last week, Sheik Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, who is also a partner in the Anglican Communionís global Anglican-Muslim dialogue, condemned religious violence and terror as ìevilî.

Declared the Sheikh: ì[Islam] should lead us away from blind fanaticism and hatred because [it] considers all human beings to have come from one mother and father.î
He added that the ìhand of peaceî should be extended to other faiths when they were under attack.

The Rt Rev Dr Mouneer Anis, Anglican Bishop of Egypt, has warmly welcomed the Grand Imamís contribution. He told the Church of England Newspaper this week that it reiterates a long-standing position of the al-Azhar, which calls ìSunni Muslims in Egypt to be moderate and peace-loving.î

Dr Tantawi also said that he was ìconcerned about the western attitude that recently insulted both Prophet Muhammed, through the cartoons, and Jesus Christ, through The Da Vinci Code.î

This is likely to ring alarm bells with those who are concerned that elements in each of the world faiths are encouraging each other to seek more restrictions on those who would criticise or mock beliefs they disagree with.

However it is reported that the Muslim leaders is willing to meet Pope Benedict and Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, and that he favours a joint communiquÈ calling both for respect for religion and freedom of expression.

Advocates of pluralism and secularity both within and beyond faith communities say that peaceful co-existence among the religions, which is a positive force, should not be used to reinforce further dangerous moves towards censorship in civil society.

[Also on Ekklesia: Tent of faith in Londonís finance centre; Global faith gathering tackles religious roots of terror; Support urged as Muslims confront extremism; Churches speak out for Islamic neighbours; Lutheran President calls for bridges of understanding; Japanese faith groups work to keep war-renouncing constitution; Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism says evangelical; New Archbishop to launch forum in terror link city; Called to Step into the Breach: The Churches’ Role in Overcoming Violence (book);World Council of Churches and Vatican to agree code on religious conversion; Interfaith parliament to address religious violence; Religions called to honesty, peace and common action; Violent God, Non-violent Jesus, Violent Christians: The Tragic Legacy of Biblical Violence June 24, 2006: A day seminar with Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer]