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sahannan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Moderation Best Way to Fight Extremism: Scholars
“We don’t preach moderation to be described by others as moderate,” said Bashir.
By Massoud Sabri, IOL Staff
KUWAIT CITY, May 22, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Muslim scholars participating in a three-day conference, currently in session in Kuwait, said the concept of moderation is deeply rooted in Islam and by no means a novelty.
Gathering for deliberations on Islam’s stance on extremism and the role of civil and official societies in enhancing moderation, the scholars agreed that moderation was the sharpest weapon against fanaticism.
“We don’t preach moderation to be described by others as moderate. Moderation has everything to do with Islam and a commitment to the Word of God,” Sudanese Minister of Waqfs Essam Al-Bashir told the conference, organized by the Kuwaiti Waqfs Ministry and the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO).
Stressing that moderation is the best way to fight extremism and hyperbolic rhetoric, Bashir blamed extremism on the West’s superior approach in dealing with Muslims to impose its agenda and dictate its polities.
He called on Western countries to be fair and just when it comes to humanitarian issues, and to recognize the time-honored civilization and sublime values of Muslim countries.
Spreading Tolerance
Women represented one-third of the attendance.
Kuwaiti Waqfs Minister Abdallah Al-Matuq said moderation helps spread the culture of tolerance and encourage dialogue in the Muslim world.
“Muslims should take the initiative in presenting the shinning image of Islam through promoting its tolerant values,” he told the gathering.
His deputy Adel Al-Fallah called for a clear definition of the much-distorted moderation, which leaves the impression that moderation had no room in the Muslim faith.
“The Ministry of Waqfs will pay due attention over the coming five years to spreading the true meaning of moderation in cooperation with the IICO,” Fallah said.
He said the ministry is keen on instilling moderation values in younger generations through education programs in schools and mosques.
“In this respect, the Kuwaiti Waqfs Ministry has established a center to reach out to Islamic centers in Europe and the United States,” Fallah added.
Sheikh Yusuf Jasim Hajar, of the IICO, said the conference is building on the promising “Moderate Nation” project, which is sponsored by the charity and the Kuwaiti Waqfs Ministry in their earnest efforts to eschew terrorism and extremism.
In his keynote speech, Hajar distanced Islam from the killing of innocent people committed in its name.
The conference’s opening session, held on Saturday 21, show a massive women turn out.
Representing one-third of the participants, women were also keen on having their say at the plenary session with a paper on the social and psychological effects of bigotry.
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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