Jesus: The Prophet of Islam (Peace be upon him)

Jesus: The Prophet of Islam

Peace be upon him (PBUH) 

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The believers in the Oneness of God who belong to the tradition of Abraham: Muslims, Christians and Jews are one community. The first foundation of belief held by all monotheistic believers is that there is but one God. No dissenting voice: all Muslims, Christians and Jews worship one and the same God. The second central belief is a common lineage of Prophets, sent by God with revealed message of Truth. God sent a guide, a messenger or a prophet who taught the same message, the need to believe in the Oneness of God. In the case of Jesus, he was undoubtedly a true prophet.

Islam is a religion of peace, understanding and tolerance. It has five pillars - the first pillar is Imaan. To belief in the Oneness of Allah, all the Prophets sent by Allah, all the Books revealed by Him, belief in Paradise and Hell and Life after Death is part of Imaan. So Muslims throughout the world believe in all the prophets sent by Allah, the Most High. Jesus, the son of Mary, is one of them.

The Virgin Mary and her son Jesus, May peace be upon them both, are mentioned often in the Qurán. In fact, there is a chapter of the Qurán named after her called Maryam. Jesus, referred to in the Qurán as Isa ibn Maryam - Jesus the Son of Mary- is one of the greatest of the prophets of God whom Muslims hold in very deep love and respect. The Qurán gives a greater number of honourable titles to Jesus than to any other figure of the past. The Qurán said: "And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah, and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.” (Al-Qurán 5:46)

I would concentrate, first, on the birth of Jesus, peace be upon him, in the light of the Qurán. In Sura 3, the Chapter Imran gives the longest version of the annunciation and birth of Jesus. It is said in the Qurán, "When the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow (in prayer).'” That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, (O Muhammad). And you were not with them when they cast their pens as to which of them should be responsible for Mary. Nor were you with them when they disputed. And when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near (to Allah). He will speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous.” She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?” (The angel) said, "Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,' and it is.” (Al-Qurán 3:42-47)

Surah Maryam then proceeds with an account of the nativity or birth of Jesus. "So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. And she pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten. But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, "Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to (any) man.” (Al-Qurán 19: 22-26). The Qurán then narrates, "Then she (Maryam) brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.” (Al-Qurán 19:27-28)

The Qurán said, "So, Mary pointed to him (Jesus). They said, ‘How can we speak to one who is in the cradle as a child?'”(Jesus) said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and Zakah as long as I remain alive.” (Al-Qurán, 19:29-31).

In fact, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Jesus was one of one hundred and twenty-four thousand prophets, between whom there is no cause for conflict or argument. Allah tells His messenger in one passage of the Qurán: "Say: We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants (Al-Asbat), and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims (submitting) to Him.” (Al-Qurán 3: 84).

Imam Bukhari, in his collection of the traditions, said that the Apostle of God said, "I am nearest of men to the Son of Mary. Between Jesus and me there has been no prophet.”

It is also said in the Qur'an: "And (mention) when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, Indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.” But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic.” (Al-Qur'an, 61:6)

The Qur'an clearly says: "O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His Word which He directed to Mary and a soul (created at a command) from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers.” ( Al-Qur'an, 4:171)

The Qurán also stated, "And (beware the day) when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?'” He will say, "Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.” (Al-Qurán 5:116) It also said, "I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” (Al-Qurán 5:171)

About the crucifixion of Jesus (pbuh), the Qurán clearly stated, "And (for) their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but (another) was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Al-Qurán, 4:157-158).

The unedited nature of the Noble Qurán gives Muslims confidence in their understanding of the nature of Jesus, which was as a servant of God, as Prophet.

Source: http://www.iccuk.org/media/articles/jesus_the_prophet_of_islam_pbuh.htm

KAICIID-Participants' Point of View -2

Participants’ Point of View-2

KAICIID: Global Hub on Dialogue to enhance

cooperation, respect for diversity, justice and peace

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) was opened at the Hofburg Palace, Vienna, on Monday, the 26^th of November, 2012, in the presence of a global audience of almost 800 guests, including ambassadors, government representatives, religious leaders, academics and scholars.

Participants’ Point of View

In the evening of the Inauguration ceremony of KAICIID at Hofburg Palace, Vienna, on 26^th November, 2012, most of the leaders of different religions of the world; representatives from the Churches of Christianity, representatives of the Jewish communities with all their backgrounds from the East and the West, the Hindus and the Buddhists; the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Vatican representative Cardinal Tauran, representative from the King of Spain and the President of Austria, three Foreign Ministers of the three founding states, Saudi Arabia, Austria and Spain were at the opening ceremony.

I had the opportunity to interview participants at the opening ceremony of KAICIID and enquire their point of view about the Centre. While interviewing, I had tried my level best to give wide representation in my interview from the religious, regional and continental perspective.

Reverend Kyoichi Sugino from

the Religion for Peace International

Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Deputy Secretary General of the Religion for Peace International, New York, who greatly admired Dr. Abdullah Mohsin al-Turki, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL) whom he met in a meeting organised by ASEAN in Bangkok, Thailand recently and hosted by MWL, said, “Dr. Turki met both Muslim and Buddhist leaders at Patani, southern part of Thailand in the Buddhist temple and in the Buddhist school and also visited universities.

“It is important that King Abdullah’s initiative is now spreading across the globe and the Religion for Peace and the Muslim World League are working together,” he said and added, “The most important thing is religious dialogue and collaboration to continue; we need interreligious mechanism; mechanisms of collaboration. So this centre KAICIID receives one of those instruments.”

“Two important things, one is how to strengthen interreligious mechanisms at the national level, continental level and international level. And how we bring all these experiences together and concretely,” said Rev. Sugino.

He also said, “I think this centre’s initiative is important. King Abdullah’s leadership in this field is extremely well received by other places and Religion of Peace.”

Former State Senator Larry Shaw

Larry Shaw was a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly. Former state Senator Larry Shaw said, “It is just a realisation of the dream of the journey. Now a real journey begins. It is now time to stop and reflect upon where we come from and what lies ahead. We have to think about the possibilities of all possibilities.”

“The dialogue is the key to begin in the process. Keep it fresh; keep it vibrant; by keeping openness about itself,” Mr. Shaw said.

Baba Jain, Secretary General of the

World Council of leaders

Baba Jain, Secretary General of the World Council of leaders, said, “I think amongst all the initiatives this one has a maximum potential to succeed. Why? Because it has a name of His Majesty behind it and he is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques which nobody else has. God bless him. His Majesty is taken this step; he is reaching out to the others. I think others have to see that what a historic step this has been and now they are making it a reality.” Jain said. 

Recalling what he said in a few years ago at Kazakhstan Forum, Baba Jain said, “I would like to state this: I think if this centre takes the leadership initiative under the patronage of the three governments together jointly with a Vatican, together jointly, and they ask each government each country create a centre for dialogue; every country a centre for dialogue, people from all walks of life; from all sectors can come together to resolve the differences.”

This time Baba Jain also repeated his statement which he told me at Madrid in 2008. Baba Jain said, “I repeat that and even now I am saying I said this earlier that I think Noble Peace Prize Committee would be wise to give him (King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz) the Noble Peace Prize. He does not need it; but to give this initiative recognition; give this initiative to the Muslims to support and specially the conservative support to His Majesty, that would be a wonderful step.”

Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former President of the

Jeddah-based King Abdulaziz University

Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former President of the Jeddah-based King Abdulaziz University and present Secretary General of the Cairo-based International Islamic Council for Daw’ah and Relief (IICDR), said, “Dialogue is part of the Islamic Shari’ah; because if you read the Qur’an or read the history of the Prophet (peace be upon him) you will find that that was the communication of every two parties to convince them that there are better language to achieve goals. So dialogue is not strange for Islam.”

“The opening of the Centre was very great,” said Dr. Naseef and mentioned that we have seen presence of all Churches of Christianity, Jewish with all their backgrounds from the East and the West, the Hindus and the Buddhists and everybody was there  during the opening ceremony and also at the seminars which were held just two hours before that.

Dr. Naseef said, “The opening ceremony shows that there was a great interest; not only interest people want to be involved; they want to promote dialogue and they accepted the idea that the centre which was established with the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz idea promotion and finance is really going to happen.”

Referring to the speeches and the commitments of the board of directors and the secretary general Faisal bin Muammar, Dr. Naseef said that there is a clear vision in their mind and there is great dedication that they will continue. “This centre should not be a symbolic; it will really be a think-tank which can be an operation theatre,” he said.

Speaking about the future of the Centre, Dr. Naseef said, “As it goes through in the future, it will attract new ideas, new programmes and new people and it will help to promote idea among the young people to be involved and to adhere to the dialogue between religions because the old generation is going out and they have something in their backgrounds.”

Dr. Ahmad S. Turkistani

Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau

Professor Dr. Ahmad S. Turkistani, Director, Department of Cultural Affairs, Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau, London, said, “This is the first international global centre for interreligious intercultural dialogue. First of all, it combines religion and culture; interreligious intercultural. There are some projects taken by the head of state but not as big as this one. Some countries tried to do something.”

There will be many challenges before the Centre, but it has to find solutions. Speaking about the work of the Centre, Dr. Turkistani said, “This is what the centre is expected to do is to work on resolving problems, removing obstacles, managing crisis, dealing with conflicts and hopefully we can do something; at least put with representation of all the major religions and intellectual cultural orientations of the world. I am sure the centre will respond to all the needed developments and work on this.”

“I think one of the greatest news said on the opening evening UNICEF and Religion for Peace has started working,” mentioned Dr. Turkistani.

“I feel the most important thing is that this one has the support of the religious establishments in the world. We saw the Rabbi, the Archbishop, the Catholics, the Vatican - all these people are giving this centre the full support and their prayers and hopefully this will materialise into support.”

Dr. Hamad al-Majed, one of the

Trustees of the KAICIID

Speaking about the uniqueness of this centre, Dr. Hamad al-Majed, one of the Trustees of the KAICIID, said, “What is so unique about this centre is that this is the first initiative which has been put forward by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with other religious organisations. This is why the big representations of other religions took it seriously. They think Saudi Arabia is there and it will help a lot.”

In the past two decades, the violence has accelerated and religion was given a bad name. Dr. Al-Majed said, “This centre has to prove that religion is the solution; it is not the problem.”

Dr. Al-Majed also wanted to send a frank message to some Arab countries which think that to sit with the Christians and the Jews you come to give up your own belief, he said, “that is not true”. “I can sit with you on the common ground. One of the major things that we can work on commonality, pollution, climate, racial discrimination, homosexuality, all these things and also on some human values,” he said.

Dr. Abdullah Saleh Obaid

Former Saudi Minister of Education

Former Saudi Minister of Education and also former Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Dr. Abdullah Saleh al-Obeid, said, “First of all, I would like to thank King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue for the arrangement of this conference. I hope this centre will bring people, human beings of different religions, different languages and different thoughts together to build peace and harmony in the whole world.”

“I think Muslims all around the world need to be in touch with the other people to explain that there are situations to know each other and to inform other people about Islam; about its message of justice, peace and human dignity,” said Dr. al-Obeid.

HE Faisal Bin Abdulrahman Bin Muaammar

Secretary General of KAICIID

The Secretary General of the Centre, HE Faisal Bin Abdulrahman Bin Muaammar, stated, “It is my profound belief that this Centre can become a place of leadership and applied learning, a place where candid dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures can flourish so that we can value and cherish the richness of our diversity and live together as good neighbours. And I am convinced that KAICIID will, within a short period of time, build a bridge for better mutual understanding, facilitating interreligious and intercultural dialogue to enhance cooperation, respect for diversity, justice and peace.”

KAICIID - Global Hub on Dialogue

Participants’ Point of View-1

KAICIID: Global Hub on Dialogue

for all organisations

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) was opened at the Hofburg Palace, Vienna, on Monday, the 26^th of November, 2012, in the presence of a global audience of almost 800 guests, including ambassadors, government representatives, religious leaders, academics and scholars.

Though the centre is the brainchild of King Abdullah, it is established in Vienna, Austria; and Saudi Arabia, Spain and Austria signed the agreement for the establishment of the centre. The Holy See has a role as a Founding Observer.

Not only that, The Vatican, a strong supporter of the project, has joined as a founding observer and represented on the board, which, according to the treaty, must have three Christians, three Muslims, a Jew, a Hindu and a Buddhist.

This centre, KAICIID, is the first global international organisation with multi-faith oversight focused on religion and is backed by an international treaty signed by Austria, Spain and Saudi Arabia.

Another aspect of the centre is that although launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and named after King Abdullah, “about 70 percent of the world’s religions are on its board. The centre will be a neutral place to exchange ideas,” said HE Faisal bin Muaammar, Secretary General of KAICIID.

Participants’ Point of View

In the evening of the Inauguration ceremony of KAICIID at Hofburg Palace, Vienna, on 26^th November, 2012, most of the leaders of different religions of the world; representatives from the Churches of Christianity, representatives of the Jewish communities with all their backgrounds from the East and the West, the Hindus and the Buddhists; the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Vatican representative Cardinal Tauran, representative from the King of Spain and the President of Austria, three Foreign Ministers of the three founding states, Saudi Arabia, Austria and Spain were at the opening ceremony.

I had the opportunity to interview participants at the opening ceremony of KAICIID and enquire their point of view about the Centre. While interviewing, I had tried my level best to give wide representation in my interview from the religious, regional and continental perspective.

Timothy Margaritis, Greek Orthodox Patriarch

Timothy Margaritis, who is representing the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, said, “Certainly every movement that brings people together and used this togetherness in order to promote understanding among people love and cooperation and friendship is welcome by all religions. So we strongly support this movement.”

Mr. Rao Vithal of the Arya Samaj

“The religious people, those who believe in God, in the essence of moral values, in human values should move togetherly; this moving togetherly is the only solution; conflict is not the solution,” said Mr. Rao Vithal of the Arya Samaj, came from Hyderabad, India.

Dr. William F. Vendley, the Secretary General

of the Religions for Peace

Religion for Peace is a large multi-religious organisation which has affiliates in 90 countries. Dr. William F. Vendley, the Secretary General of the Religions for Peace, who have been doing this work since 1990, said, “I believe this initiative is right; the timing is right; the process to advance this is very proper and it takes the deeply wise committed leadership of His Majesty who has dedicated this to the service of human kind. We are all for it, because it is all for us. So I have strong passionate appreciation and personally doing all that I can to support this initiative.”

Dr. Nick Carter is the President of Andover Newton

Theological School, Boston

Dr. Nick Carter, the President of Andover Newton Theological School, Boston Massachusetts, said, “I am very encouraged. There are experiments in the interreligious and intercultural dialogue around the world; but we don’t have a network; we know each other; one at a time, two at a time; but we don’t have an opportunity to share our research and our insights and I am encouraged that the centre would be a place where the sharing can take place.” “The centre can provide both a clearing house for us and a platform for learning and we look at that,” he added.

Dr. Fahad Sultan Al-Sultan, the Deputy of the

Secretary General of KAICIID

Dr. Fahad Sultan Al-Sultan, the Deputy of the Secretary General of KAICIID, said, “We hope this centre can be like hub for all the organisations, centres and programmes to come together because we do not like to duplicate our efforts; but we are working to the same goals. So we should work together on this.”

“We should encourage every country every, society and government to form dialogue; we are willing to work with everybody; we are working for a goal, for a cause, for a good cause;” said Dr. Fahad.

Dr. Fahad also mentioned that King Abdullah is also calling for dialogue between sexes in the Islamic world.

Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian

Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, who represented Roman Catholic, said, “All these gatherings, dialogues, seminars and initiatives would be fruitful if we can disseminate  to the people, in the heart of the people, what we are talking about and what we are all about. We need to cultivate a new kind of culture, cultural dialogue of understanding each other and listening to understand each other.”

Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke, President of the

World Council of Faiths

Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke, the President of the World Council of Faiths, a retired Anglican Parish Priest, Church of England Clergyman. He has been involved in interfaith work for over forty years. For some time we set up international interfaith centre in Oxford but that was more on small scale. He is optimistic of this Centre, KAICIID, because, “This centre is something very much grandest scale and the good thing is it is involving the government at the top level. I think it is also related to United Nations and so on.”

“We want the United Nations to take seriously the role of religion,” Dr. Braybrooke said and added, “Religion is clearly and highly significant in the world.”

Launch of Islamophobia Awareness Month

Launch of Islamophobia Awareness Month

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Islamophobia Awareness Month was launched on Friday, 2^nd of November, 2012 at London Muslim Centre by prominent British organisations and campaigners to deconstruct and challenge some of the stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. Leading commentators and politicians, including human rights Lawyer Imran Khan, Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn, academic and journalist Myriam-Francois-Cerrah as well as UNITE the Union’s Steve Hart addressed themes around Islamophobia.

Human Rights Lawyer

Imran Khan

Imran Khan said, “Anti-Muslim attitudes are directed against people believed to be of Muslim faith or generally against Islam as a religion, regardless of whether those affected are actually religious and which branch of Islam they belong to.”

“In more recent years and, particularly since the events of 9/11 and 7/7, attention has very much focussed on Muslims. The agenda set has been one that is distinctly anti-Muslim,” said Khan.

Human Rights lawyer Khan said, “The response to 9/11 and 7/7 by leaders in the US and UK and the ensuing reporting in our media has inexorably led to a rise in anti-Muslim feeling in our society which might be termed “institutionalised discrimination” based upon the institutional practices of the state and its organisations which leads to discriminatory practices against those of the Muslim faith. It is this process of discrimination which is probably the most pernicious in its effect because, by its very nature, it has the sanction of the state and the blessing of society and can be evidenced in a number of ways.

Imran Khan, Human Rights lawyer, was speaking on Islamophobia and the Law. He mentioned, “By the way of example, in 2009/10, 36,928 racially and religiously aggravated offences were recorded by the police in England and Wales.  In December 2008 there were 9,975 Muslim prisoners in England and Wales, equivalent to12% of the prison population. This represented a considerable increase on the 5% in 1994 and 8% in 2004 and was more than four times the proportion of professing Muslims at the 2001 census.”

“Ministry of Justice statistics showed ‘stop and account’ powers were used on 2,353,918 occasions in 2006/7, up a quarter from 1,601,196 in 2006/7. There were twice as many stops and searches of Asian people per head of population than of white people. When concerns were raised about this disproportionality Hazel Blears, then a Government Minister, said that British Muslims should accept as a ‘reality’ that people of Islamic appearance are more likely to be stopped and searched by police,” Khan said.

Finally, Human Rights lawyer Khan quoted Anas Altikri, Chief Executive of the Cordoba Foundation, who said: “Islamophobia is a tragic reality and a test to the West’s claim to upholding the most noble of human values. Already, we have failed when allowing laws to pass prohibiting Muslim women from dressing as they wish in France and building their mosques in a particular aesthetic form similarly to other places of worship in Switzerland. It is a phenomenon that will, if allowed to spread unabated, leave none unaffected. It was true in the case of anti-Jewish and anti-Black attacks in the last century, and it will prove true if anti-Muslim sentiments are given free reign to expand today.”

Supt. Robert Reavill

Supt. Robert Reavill, Partnerships, Tower Hamlets Police, said, “We deal with Islamophobia within the context of hate crime. Complains are investigated by a dedicated team of officers. Criminal offence was given priority whatever the race or ethnicity, gender, disability, age, sexuality, religion - actual or perceived by the victim. We shave seen threat of the EDL on the borough and it causes concerns the causes to the community.

Mr. Reavill said it is the time for the communities to work together. He said the community cohesion is very very important.

Speaking about the Tower Hamlets Borough, Mr. Reavill said, this is a very very diverse borough.

Lindsey German

Stop the War Coalition

Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition, said to me in an interview, “The war on terror which begun in 2001 really created the present mood of Islamophobia; when you bombed on a countries which are largely Muslim countries then you have to demonise the people where you are bombing and at the same time as we talk about terrorism among Muslims, we are conducting terror attacks with drone in Pakistan and Afghanistan and we are creating a situation where more and more people around the world have grievances against, grievance against the United States and other countries in the world.”

“And if we want to end that, we have to campaign not just against the wars but against Islamophobia as well. Also Islamophobia does not come from the Far Right but it comes from the government, it comes from the police, it comes from the whole attitudes in society. The attitudes to Muslims are somehow inferior. We have to campaign against that as well,” said German.

Jeremy Corbyn

Labour MP

Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North, said to me in an interview, “I am delighted to support this campaign against Islamophobia and for cohesive society recognises all faiths and respects for all faiths. Because what I have noticed over the past eleven years ever since the problem of 9/11 and the war on Afghanistan has been a gross Islamophobia in the popular press and this then leads on to unemployment, leads on to discrimination, and leads on to brutality and that allows quite  discriminatory anti-terror laws passed in this country. So tonight what I am saying tonight is that Islam is a part of the British society; it’s a part of normal life and it’s a faith that can be respected and recognised and supported we are here to demonstrate that tonight.”

“I remember couple of weeks ago Babar Ahmad and Syed Talha Ahsan were deported to the United States to face charges which will never put in British court and they were not in any sense prosecuted in Britain. Gary McKinnon few days later was not deported to the USA. Again, the US tried to extradite, the British government refused. I think everyone else can draw their conclusion from that decision,” mentioned Labour MP Corbyn.

Lutfur Rahman

Mayor Tower Hamlets

Lutfur Rahman, an independent executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets and has been Councillors for 10 years, said, “I regularly get described as an ‘extremist’. I get depicted as being part of a supposed Islamist conspiracy to ‘Talibanise Tower Hamlets’. My administration gets depicted as being one that panders to homophobic and anti-Semitic views. There is not a single shred of evidence to substantiate these claims.”

Tower Hamlets Mayor mentioned, “I am not alone in being subject to this kind of treatment. Labour’s Sadiq Khan, the Shadow Justice Secretary, was accused of holding ‘extremist’ views after he called for a ‘more independent foreign policy’. Labour Peer Lord Ahmed found himself being branded an ‘extremist’ and suspended from the party. When former Conservative Party Chairperson Sayeeda Warsi was appointed to the Conservative frontbench in 2007 some of her own colleagues said her appointment was ‘the wrong signal at a time when Britain is fighting a global war against Islamic terrorism and extremism’.”

“I don’t doubt there are genuine violent extremists out there and it is right that they are monitored,” said Tower Hamlets Mayor and added, “But it is wrong and dangerous to lump all of us who express political opinions via the democratic process and those who support sectarian hate and advocate violence.

Speaking about the role of journalists, Mayor Rahman said, “It is a reality that there are a small but powerful group of journalists who see Islam and Muslims as alien, hostile and threatening. When the Daily Mail’s Melanie Phillips refers to ‘fifth column in our midst’ we all know who she is talking about. And when the Spectator’s Douglas Murray says ‘conditions for Muslims in Europe must be made harder across the board’, we know exactly what he is talking about.”

Mr. Rahman also mentioned, “Islamophobia is real. It needs to be exposed and challenged. And events like Islamophobia Awareness Week are very important to that end.

But there is a good sign that the preachers of hatred were pushed to the margin in the Tower Hamlets Borough. “Those who preach hatred, against whatever community, have consistently been pushed to the margins in this borough. I am inspired by our residents findings that the number of residents from different backgrounds who state they get on well together has risen year on year and now stands at 78%,” mentioned Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

“Islamophobia is the latest form of attack on this borough’s multicultural identity,” said Mayor Rahman. But he emphasized, “There is no place for hate in Tower Hamlets. There is no place for hate against people on the basis of sexual identity. There is no place for hate on the basis of racial identity. There is no place for hate on the basis of religious identity. We are one Tower Hamlets. And we are not going to let the preachers of hate, wherever they comes from, divide us.”

Sahar Alfaifi

Wales chair of FOSIS,

Sahar Alfaifi, Wales chair of the Federation of Students Islamic Societies, started saying, “As a niqabi  (face veil), a Muslim female with a face veil the first things that comes to most people mind that I am oppressed, that I am uneducated, passive, isolated behind closed doors and not integrated within the British society. This is how the media portrayed me; this is how the tabloids see me and now not only that this is also how some high-profile politicians and leaders think of me. All these are contributing to the old and new phenomenon Islamophobia.”

She emphasized by saying, “No. I am not oppressed. I am highly educated. I am actually scientist, active individual and well-integrated within the British society. Fortunately, we are living in times of remarkable complacency as well as rising the new racism.”

“Racism is now called Islamophobia, spreading across Europe and UK that is manifesting different forms and shapes from vilifying mosques, attacking Muslims, marginalising the Muslim as individual, as a society and also as an organisation,” Ms Alfaifi said.

Ms. Alfaifi also mentioned, “Islamophobia is also reaching university campuses. Years ago, a Muslim brother was tapped in City University and many sisters including me faced verbal, written and physical abuses from pulling off hijab, the headscarf, to calling them names such as terrorists, bombers, and the list goes on.”

She also mentioned, “Islamophobia becomes after-talk dinner as has been described before and now actually generated and explained away. It also not becomes limited to the right-wing political activists, but also politicians and organisations from all sorts as well as governmental sectors.”

“Institutional racism and Islamophobia is expanding and now reaching the justice and administrative sector by extraditing recently Babar Ahmad and Syed Talha Ahsan but not Gary McKinnon and their rights as British citizen has been denied,” said Alfaifi. .

Wales chair of FOSIS maintained, “Britain is living example of a country of democracy, human rights, mutual respect and tolerance. We have to work hard individually as well as collectively to maintain these values of freedom, justice and tolerance; because today Muslims who are attacked are never know who will be attacked tomorrow. These attacks cannot be justified.”

“Whether you agree or disagree with the Muslim faith or people, whether you agree or disagree with the niqab or face veil, there is one thing that I hope, we all agree on that niqab or any act of worship is not a culture, is not a tradition, it is actually an act of worship like many others and here I truly really believe them,” said Ms. Alfaifi..

Speaking on niqab or face veil which she was wearing, Ms Sahar Alfaifi emphasized by saying, “No one actually has got the right to force it on me, neither no one has got the right to take it off me. I pray as a Muslim and British and more specifically Welsh and there is no conflict or antagonism between these three identities.”

The Islamophobia Awareness Month was spearheaded by the Enough Coalition Against Islamophobia, The Muslim Council of Britain and ENGAGE and other partners.

KAICIID -Vision Turns into Visible Reality

Journey to KAICIID

Vision Turns into Visible Reality

Dr. Mozammel Haque

This is a journey that has taken many years, from its beginning as the personal vision of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to the Official Inauguration of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in 2012.

The Journey to the establishment of King Abdullah International Dialogue Centre followed on from a series of groundbreaking, historic meetings, which included the meeting at the Vatican between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Pope Benedict XVI; The World International Islamic Conference in Makkah, Saudi Arabia; The World Conference on Dialogue in Madrid, Spain; the address by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to the UN General Assembly in New York and the World Conference on Dialogue in Vienna, Austria.

The Journey to KAICIID has progressed through three stages of development, that may be characterised as i) Building the concept; ii) Taking it to the world; and iii) Implementation.

1. THE BUILDING THE CONCEPT

i) Meeting with Pope Benedict XVI on 6^th November 2007

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah met with Pope Benedict XVI in a historic visit to the Vatican, to share his idea and to engage with the Holy See in a unique initiative and commitment to interfaith dialogue. During this historic visit on 6^th of November 2007, King Abdullah shared his idea for an ‘initiative for Interfaith Dialogue’ to His Holiness who indicated his willingness to support the initiative.

During this historic meeting at the Vatican, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI called for interfaith and intercultural dialogue among followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and “for the promotion of peace, justice and spiritual and moral values, especially in support of the family.”

The meeting sent a clear message that followers of Christianity and Islam should overcome their minor differences and focus on the common values and principles they share.

ii) International Islamic Conference for Dialogue

in Makkah on 4^th June 2008

This period also provided an opportunity for King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to set forth his principles and vision for dialogue within Islam as a starting point.

The Custodian for Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, opened the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue at the Royal Safa Palace in Makkah, the city that is regarded as the heart of Islam.

This now famous initiative by the Custodian for Two Holy Mosques, organised by the Muslim World League, brought together over 500 of the most influential scholars, academics and organisation leaders in the Muslim world to debate issues, to counter challenges of rigidity, ignorance and narrow-mindedness and with a goal of making the world better acquainted with the kind message of Islam. As the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said in his address, “We are the voice of justice and human moral values, the voice of rational and just co-existence and dialogue, the voice of wisdom and admonition and argumentation with the best way possible.”

The initiative gained additional support and momentum when the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques made a further call for dialogue by Muslims with the followers of other religions and cultures, as a means of respecting the other. The statement by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also sought to establish a common ground of respect among all peoples of the world.

The conference concluded with a call to different Islamic organisations to do more in terms of cooperation and coordination to advance dialogue and to make it serve the interests of humanity. A specific recommendation was to establish a King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Intercultural Dialogue, with the aim of promoting a culture of dialogue.

So the participants at the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue in Makkah urged Muslims to attempt to establish dialogue with other religions and cultures and to strive for peaceful coexistence with others. It was here at Makkah that the idea of establishing a dedicated International Dialogue Centre with a view to disseminating the culture of dialogue, was first publicly highlighted in this way.

2. TAKING IT TO THE WORLD

i) International Conference for Dialogue

in Madrid on 16^th -18^th July, 2008

Following up on the Makkah Conference, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques invited attendees to engage in and promote dialogue as the means to achieve peace and reconciliation and to achieve the betterment of humanity.

Three-day World Conference on Dialogue organised by the Muslim World League in Madrid during 16^th-18^th July, 2008, was hosted by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and by King Juan Carlos I of Spain. Nearly 300 delegates including followers of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism as well as followers of other religions and cultures, along with scholars and researchers, attended this World Conference on Dialogue in Madrid to discuss common issues facing Mankind.

In his opening address the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz declared that he was bringing a message from the Islamic world, representing its scholars and thinkers who had recently met; the message declared that Islam was a religion of moderation and tolerance. This was a message calling for constructive dialogue among followers of religions, a message that promised to open a new page for humanity in which – God willing – concord would replace conflict.

The Conference focused on the common denominators that unite Mankind, namely, deep faith in God, noble principles, and the lofty moral values that constitute the essence of faith. Conference delegates also discussed terrorism as the major obstacle to dialogue and coexistence, requiring international efforts to deal with it in a serious, responsible and just manner.

The final declaration of the Conference rejected the notion of the so-called “Clash of Civilisation” and warned against the danger of campaigns seeking to deepen conflicts and destabilise peace and security. It also affirmed that “Dialogue is one of the most important means for knowing each other.”

This Conference concluded with several commitments including that of forming a workgroup and for joint action aimed at overcoming obstacles standing in the way of dialogue. The Conference also urged the UN General Assembly to support its recommendations and called for a special UN Session on dialogue.

ii) Plenary High-level Meeting at the UN General

Assembly, New York, on 12^th-13^th November, 2008

Following the adoption of the Madrid Declaration, the United Nations General Assembly convened a plenary, high-level meeting on 12^th-13^th November, 2008, under item 45, “Culture of Peace” to discuss interreligious dialogue.

This meeting took note of the initiative and the speech delivered by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the World Conference on Dialogue held in Madrid under his patronage and hosted by the King and Government of Spain. The General Assembly reiterated its call for promoting a culture of tolerance and mutual understanding through dialogue, and for supporting the initiatives of religious leaders, civil society and states seeking to entrench a Culture of Peace, understanding, tolerance and respect for human rights among the proponents of various faiths, cultures and civilisations.

Concerned about serious instances of intolerance, discrimination, hatred expressions and harassment of minority religious communities of all faiths, participating states underlined the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding and tolerance among human beings, as well as respect for all their diverse religions, cultures and beliefs. Participating states affirmed their rejection of the use of religion to justify the killing of innocent people and actions of terrorism, violence and coercion, which directly contradict the commitment of all religions to peace, justice and equality.

Participating states also expressed their commitment to strengthening and supporting existing mechanisms within the UN for promoting tolerance and human rights, preserving the institution of the family, protecting the environment, spreading education, eradicating poverty and fighting drug abuse, crime and terrorism, noting the positive role of religions, beliefs and moral humanitarian principles in tackling these challenges.  

3. IMPLEMENTATION

The vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was now becoming manifest in the hearts of those religious scholars and others who were beginning to understand the possibilities of new horizon in dialogue. 

The aspiration has since required that concepts, ideals, hope and vision be underpinned by hard work and by practical steps and activities, in order to turn the Dream originated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques into a tangible, visible Reality. Conference at Vienna and at Geneva played a significant role in converting lofty ideas into a viable project, with subsequent development of the legal, political and interreligious and intercultural understandings forming the basis for a worthy and meaningful proposition.

i) World Interreligious Dialogue Follow up Conference

in Vienna on 13^th-14^th July, 2009

The Muslim World League, continued the initiative of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and arranged a World Conference on Dialogue in Vienna on 13^th-14^th July, 2009. The meeting added to the previous discussions at Madrid and at the UN General Assembly in New York and took measures to provide an effective way forward.

Three resolutions were adopted. The World Conference on Dialogue unanimously supported the intention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques which was to establish an international centre for interreligious dialogue. Consequently, a Preparatory Working Group (PWG) was established. It comprised representatives from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish religions and the President of the International Peace Institute (IPI) was appointed as the convener. The PWG was set up in consultation with the representatives of the Muslim World League as well as the representatives of the other world religions who were present in Vienna.

The PWG was to make recommendations for the composition of a Steering Committee comprised of named representatives from the other world religions present at the conference with a Hindu and Buddhist representation to be invited after the conference. The Steering Committee’s mandate was to present detailed proposals for the establishment of an institution to work as an international centre for interreligious dialogue – including its mission, organisation, governing structure, terms of reference and other elements – by the end of the year.

ii) Interfaith Conference in Geneva on

30^th September-1^st October, 2009

Maintaining the momentum of the previous meetings an interfaith conference, organised by the Muslim World League (MWL) was held in Geneva, Switzerland between 30^th September and 1^st October, 2009 which attracted 150 religious and academic figures representing different religions and cultures from nearly 40 countries. The Conference called on the leaders of all faiths and civilisations in the world to reflect further and to interact with the initiative by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques about the use of dialogue as a means to “uphold human values, establish justice, promote cooperation, protect human rights, preserve the family and end conflicts.”

The Interfaith conference reviewed the existing relationships among the various human civilisations, and stressed the importance of addressing the profound misunderstandings that disturb their normal course. The Conference concluded that religions are not the source of crises that disturb intercultural relations, even if sometimes some people tend to define them as such; differences stem from conflicts of interests and the predominance of selfish interests.

The Conference called on the concerned States and relevant institutions to implement international conventions, especially the United Nations resolutions and principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The final Communiqué enshrined three main topics, which were:

iii) Signing of the Agreement for the Establishment

of the Centre in Vienna on 13^th October 2011

A major milestone was made on 13^th October 2011 in Vienna when the three founding states, comprising the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Austria and the Kingdom of Spain signed the Agreement for the Establishment of KAICIID. The Holy See whose representative attended the Signing Ceremony also supported the Agreement.

Vienna has been chosen as the location for KAICIID because of its reputation as an international city and its long history of proven interreligious acceptance.

iv) Preparatory Commission Established

in Vienna on 23^rd April, 2012

The Conference of the States Signatories of the Founding Agreement met in Madrid on 23^rd of April, 2012 and established a Preparatory Commission for the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue. Its ourpose was to work toward the establishment of the Centre and to lay the groundwork for the implementation of the objectives of the Founding Agreement.

At its first meeting, the Preparatory Commission established an Interim Secretariat, appointed H.E. Faisal Bin Abdulrahman Bin Muaammar as Interim Secretary General and Ms. Claudia Bandion-Ortner as Deputy Secretary General, elected the members of the Interim Board of Directors and adopted its Rules of Procedure.

v) Agreement enters into Force in

Vienna on 21^st October 2012

The Agreement for the Establishment of the King Abdullah bin Abdulziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue entered into force, on 21^st of October, 2012, in Vienna, sixty days after the deposit of the instruments of ratification by all parties having signed the Agreement. The Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria serves as Depository for the Founding Agreement.

vii) First Meeting of the Council of Parties

in Vienna on 31^st October, 2012

The Council of Parties, consisting of the representatives of the three Founding States of the Centre convened for its first session on 31^st October 2012 in Vienna. The Council took over from the Preparatory Commission for the Establishment of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre to complete the necessary preparatory work for the establishment of the Centre.

In its first meeting, the Council of Parties admitted the Holy See as a Founding Observer. The Council of Parties also appointed H.E. Faisal Bin Abdulrahman Bin Muaammar as Secretary General and Her Excellency Claudia Bandion-Ortner as Deputy Secretary General of the Centre. The members of the Board of Directors were also elected.

viii) The Inauguration Ceremony of the King Abdullah

 Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious

and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna on 26^th November, 2012

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) was officially opened on 26^th November, 2012 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

With the establishment of KAICIID in Vienna, the dream of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz turns into visible reality and a new chapter of global international dialogue begins.

Courtesy: KAICIID