The activities of the forum themed “Common Values among Followers of Religions” hosted by the Muslim World League, kicked off today, Wednesday, in the city of Riyadh, in the presence of a number of religious leaders and scholars.
Undersecretary of Corporate Communications at the Muslim World League, Abdulwahab Al-Shehri, made clear that the forum is based on the goals of the Muslim World League, which are included in its statute and regulations. This consolidates its global role as an independent international non-governmental organization concerned with spreading the values of Islam calling for the goodness of humanity. This also includes cooperation with everyone on strengthening human commons and denominators for a more cooperative and peaceful world, and more coexisting and harmonious communities, starting from the blessed land of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Shehri stressed that the forum is held on a solid foundation of the teachings of our great religion that calls for dialogue and cooperation, especially in the circle of all-encompassing commonalities and denominators that ensure the optimal co-existence in our world for all human diversity, in the light of which the modern international system was created under the umbrella of the United Nations including the international organizations, bodies and programs around which everyone gathers and approves.
He revealed that “among the main themes of this forum is the clarification of the facts of Islam, which came as a mercy to humanity. Our Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) was revealed as a mercy to the humankind. Allah the Almighty described His Messenger Muhammad: Surely, you (Prophet Muhammad) are of a great morality. Prophet Muhammad’s supreme attributes and great morality enabled him to spread Islam. Extremism and counter-extremism (around the world) sought to distort those Islamic values, but with their lofty guidance and positive openness, they reached the entire worlds and eliminated the attempts of distorting them. He continued, “And today we are witnessing once again those attempts come back with the aim of creating concepts, theories and slogans of Islamophobia (Islamophobia).”
Al-Shehri cast light on the solid foundation of the forum, saying that “The forum came from the guidance of the “Madinah Document” which our Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, signed in Madinah with the various religious components. This Document highlighted clearly the noble meanings of the wisdom of Islamic legislation in dealing with everyone. Islam is open positively to followers of religions to clarify its message calling for the goodness of humanity.
Al-Shehri reiterated that the religious leaders and scholars attending the forum are completely independent of any orientations that depart from the religious framework. He stressed that the Muslim World League, in this regard, does not deal with any ideological or political goals whatsoever, except for its declared goal.
Regarding the forum’s guests, religious leaders from other non-Islamic components, Al-Shehri said: “The guests of this forum are distinguished leaders, who were known to respecting Muslims and standing with them on a number of issues with positions worthy of appreciation.”. He noted that communication with them comes to further building bridges to reach the desired goals.
Al-Shehri continued: “This important and key context requires the wisdom of Islamic scholars – who are the majority of those attending this forum – to continue to dialogue with others to further clarify the truth about the values of Islam.” Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “I was sent to perfect good character.” Al-Shehri affirmed that this noble Prophetic text stresses the importance of taking care of those commonalities and denominators among followers of different religions.
The forum witnessed an opening session and three panel discussions, the first of which dealt with the topic themed: “Human Dignity: (fair) equality among human beings and the depth of human commonalities with focus on the necessity of understanding the religious and cultural particularities and not offending their followers, but the dialogue is taking place around religious and cultural particularities to clarify what needs to be indicated.
The second session was entitled “Bridging Humanity for the Goodness of Humanity: Dismantling the Concept of the Inevitable Conflict and Clash of Civilizations and strengthening the values of friendship and cooperation among nations and peoples for the benefit of all,” under the slogan: “One human family that gets to know each other, understands and cooperates, while clarifying the truth for all.”
The third session dealt with the topic entitled: moderation and understanding others…. the instinctiveness of the human values and their role in shaping the character of moderation and understanding diversity among humans and not turning it into fear, hatred and conflict, but rather into dialogue, understanding and cooperation for the benefit of all.
The panel discussion sessions would be followed by an open dialogue on the initiatives presented, then the closing session would be held, and the final statement would be read out, including the declaration of common human values in the light of the outcomes of the forum’s deliberations and the consensus of all.
