WMC’s President attends Islamic-Catholic
Committee Meeting in Rome in 2008
Dr Mozammel Haque
There can be no true and lasting peace
without Justice. This statement came out from the 14th meeting of the
Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee held in the Vatican, on 11-13 June 2008,
corresponding to 7-9 Jumada at-Thani, 1429 A.M. The Catholic delegation was
headed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City. There were ten participants from the
Muslim world and ten from the Vatican and other Churches. Usually, the
Committee pick up the current topic for discussion every year. Some scholars
from both sides prepare papers for presentation.
This year the theme was "Christians and
Muslims as Witnesses of the God of Justice, of Peace and of Compassion in a
World Suffering from Violence". There were six papers: three from the
Muslim world and another three from the Catholic group.
Speaking about the subject, Dr. Abdullah Omar
Nasseef, the President of the World Muslim Congress, who attended the meeting,
told me in an interview, while he was passing through Heathrow airport on his
way back to Saudi Arabia: "The papers were on 'God is God of Mercy' and we
are witnesses of the Mercy of God. Islam and other religions call for justice
and kindness and harmony among the people. This is what we emphasized. This
year the discussion was very good and straightforward; because we know all
religions call for peace and order and kindness and cooperation between the
religions".
Dr. AI-Moqri Abou Zyad al-ldrissi from Morocco
spoke on the subject 'God is the God of Mercy'. He also spoke on the Mercy from
the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his behaviour. Dr. al-ldrissi
is an MP in the Parliament of Morocco and the Chairman of the Moroccan-Russian
Friendship Organization. He is also a good writer. A Member of Parliament from
Algeria, an ex-Minister, also spoke about Justice, Islam, and so on and there
were two more speakers. There was Sheikh Professor Shaheed of the Supreme
Muslim Council of Ireland. He is the chair of the European Muslim Council.
"There were some absentees. Some of the
members failed to attend the meeting and sent their apologies, such as the
apologies which came from AI-Azhar. The Muslim World League was not there and
also some other members," said Dr. Nasseef.
The Pontifical Council released a statement
about the meeting, which had the theme "Christians and Muslims as
Witnesses of the God of Justice, of Peace and of Compassion in a World
Suffering From Violence."
Statement
The Vatican statement said, "The topic was
treated from a religious point of view according to the teaching of our two
religious traditions."
The committee agreed on five points, the first
being that "from the inherent dignity of each human being stem fundamental
rights and duties."
They added: "Justice is a priority in our
world. It requires, beyond the implementation of the existing legal provisions,
the respect of the fundamental needs of individuals and peoples through an
attitude of love, fraternity and solidarity. There can be no true and lasting
peace without justice.
"Peace is a gift from God and also requires
the commitment of all human beings, and particularly believers, who are called
to be vigilant witnesses to peace in a world afflicted by violence in many
forms.
"Christians and Muslims believe that God is
compassionate and therefore they consider it their duty to show compassion
towards every human person, especially the needy and the weak." Finally,
the committee affirmed that "if authentically practiced, effectively
contribute in promoting brotherhood and harmony in the human family."
The Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee, with
four international Islamic organisations convening annually, came into being in
1995, about years ago when Dr. Nasseef was in the Muslim World League as
Secretary General. In 1998, an agreement was signed with AI-Azhar, one of the
world's oldest universities and Islam's most widely known and respected
institution of higher learning. And there were regular meetings. Sometimes
there were special and extraordinary meetings on some issues such as 9/11 and
some other issues. Generally, the Islamic-Catholic Committee meets once in a
year.
After the meeting, the participants of the
Islamic-Catholic Meeting were taken to the Pope Benedict XVI. About the meeting
with the Pope, Dr. Nasseef said, "he was kind and welcomes everybody, he
encourages the dialogue and is looking forward that the religions can cooperate
to bring peace and harmony between people and to eliminate some of the
difficulties which are being faced here and there." Cardinal Jean-Louis
Tauran and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, the President and the Secretary,
respectively, of the Vatican dicastery participated.
International Islamic Conference for dialogue
Replying to my queries about the International
Islamic Conference for Dialogue at Makkah al-Mukarramah, Dr. Nasseef said,
"The Pope mentioned very briefly. He is looking forward that according to
the wishes of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia some regular arrangements can be
made for religions to work together and there is international dialogue between
religions and civilizations groups. He is hoping that this will happen."
Dr. Nasseef also added, "The Pope was
encouraging. And the Cardinal Tauran, head of the Catholic delegation and
in-charge of inter-religious dialogue in the Vatican City, was very positive
and his words were very encouraging.” – M. H.
First
Published in
The
Muslim World, January Issue, 2008,
Published
by Motamar al-Alam-Al-Islami,
Islamabad
Pakistan
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