February 4, 2005

PARTICIPANTS IN THE CULTURAL DIALOGUE PRAISE THE SAUDI STANCES IN DEFENDING ISLAM AND MUSLIMS. THE CONFERENCE CONDEMNS TERRORISM AND STRESSES THAT ISLAM IS INNOCENT OF THESE ACTS. THE MUSLIM WORLD LEAGUE SETS UP A COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR DIALOGUE. The Fifth Makkah Islamic Conference, held under the auspices of the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL), concluded its meetings. The conference, which started under the title of Islam, the religion of dialogue with 50 participants reviewing a number of topics, including the principles of dialogue in Islam with regard to international relations, Muslim relations with others, peaceful means of settling disputes, Muslims rules of engagement with non-Muslims during wars. The participants touched upon the concept of the conflict of civilizations, and the values of different cultures in different Islamic and non-Islamic societies. Addressing the Conference concluding session, Dr Abdullah Al-Turki, the Muslim World League Secretary General, highlighted the significant role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the service of Islamic causes. He stressed on the importance of the conference, and expressed his satisfaction with the results of the conference. Dr Al-Turki pointed out that since the early preaching of Islam, Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) called for open dialogue between Islam and other societies. Islam accords great attention to the relations of Muslims with others and to the rights of non-Muslims, said Al-Turki. Islam is the religion of dialogue, mercy, cooperation, peace and security, and it is not a religion of disputes and conflicts. He lauded the efforts of Saudi officials in the service of Islam and Muslims and the role of the Saudi government in finding solutions for the obstacles and challenges that face Islamic countries. In their final recommendations, participants called upon leaders of Islamic countries to implement the rulings of the Islamic Shariah in their daily lives, and to promote Islamic solidarity and unity. Participants further urged the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to implement measures to establish an Islamic code for dialogue to enable Muslim scholars and intellectuals to set basic goals of future approaches for dialogue. Participants also called for the foundation of an Islamic dialogue committee under the wing of the League to unify opinions and find more common ground. The committee is expected to support cooperation between other dialogue centers, in both Islamic and Western societies. Among comments made in the recommendations, participants said that one of the greatest challenges facing the Muslim nation is the culture of globalization, which incorporates aspects that contradict Islam by encouraging behavior prohibited by the teachings of Shariah in the name of freedom. It interferes with Islamic culture and educational curricula, and he urged the protection of charitable Islamic actions. With the participants of the Islamic World Commission for Information, Muslim scholars agreed to arrange enough cooperation with centers and universities in the Islamic countries to publish a book in different languages discussing the viewpoint of Islam regarding dialogue. The book, which is expected next year aims to clear the image of Muslims and show the bright face of Islamic culture and civilization. Finally, participants emphasized the duty of all countries in giving financial support to smaller Muslim minorities across the globe. On behalf of Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Makkah region, Abdullah Al-Fayez, the Undersecretary of Makkah Governorate, patronized the Fifth Makkah Conference, organized by the Muslim World League (MWL). The conference was organized under the title of 'Civilization and Cultural Dialogue' with the participation of a number of Muslim scholars, academicians and dignitaries. At the opening of the Conference, Dr Ahmed Nafea Al Mooraey, the Conference Secretary delivered a speech in which he welcomed the Undersecretary of the governorates Abdullah Ibn Daoud Al Fayez, and thanked for patronising the Conference on behalf of Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Makkah region, and said that since this Conference has started according to orders by King Abdul aziz Ibn Abdul Rahman Al Saud, it is constantly held, and playing its role in serving Islam and Muslims. He added that one of the goals of the Conference is to strengthen the understanding and peace between Muslims and non Muslims, and confront the negative sides for globalization. The Secretary General of the MWL Dr Abdullah Al-Turki underscored the importance of dialogue among civilizations, and said it is an essential matter for attaining coexistence and settlement of disputes peacefully. Dr Al-Turki hoped that the conference would positively contribute to enhancing understanding between the Muslims and others, and to coordination of efforts for confronting challenges facing the mankind, notably conflicts, wars and the phenomenon of demoralization. Dr Al-Turki said a number of scholars, academicians and specialists of international relations will participate in the 3-day conference. The Fifth Makkah Conference, organized by the Muslim World League (MWL), continued its deliberations. Three sessions were held as part of the conference which is organized under the title of 'Civilization and Cultural Dialogue' with the participation of a number of Muslim scholars, academicians and dignitaries. The Fifth Makkah Conference, organized by the Muslim World League (MWL), was concluded. The conference, which was organized under the title of 'Civilization and Cultural Dialogue', issued a statement thanking Saudi Arabia and praising its stands in defense of Islam and Muslims and encouragement of Muslims' dialogue with others. The statement denounced the terrorist acts which took place in Saudi Arabia and stressed that Islam is innocent of these acts. The statement supported Saudi Arabia's fight and measures against terrorism and terrorists. Muslims must undergo comprehensive reforms in order to make progress and overcome challenges, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz said in an address to the Makkah conference organized by the Muslim World League. In his opening address, read out by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, King Fahd urged Muslim youth to shun extremism and uphold the Islamic values of kindness and benevolence. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz attributed the weakness of the Ummah to Muslim countries' reluctance to implement the Shariah. He urged Muslims to strengthen their relationship with God and fellow humanbeings. Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, the league's secretary-general, said it was time for Muslims to discard reactionary attitudes. "We should instead work out strategies and plans to confront challenges," he said. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti, highlighted the league's role in projecting the correct picture of Islam to the outside world. He also commended the Kingdom's efforts to unify the Muslim ranks. On the other hand Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Chairman of Makkah, Madinah and Sacred Places Development Authority, patronized the 5th Religious Forum on Hajj Research, organized by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj Research, an affiliate of Umm Al Qura university. A number of Saudi universities, specialized research centers and governmental bodies relating to Hajj activities took part in the event held under the theme "Al Jamarat area studies". At the venue, Prince Mit'eb was received by Director of Umm Al Qura University Dr. Nasser bin Abdullah Alsalih and a number of officials. Addressing the opening ceremony, Prince Mit'eb hailed this annual gathering of university researchers and governmental bodies in charge of Hajj to study and give solutions to problems facing pilgrims in Jamarat area. This year, for instance, the government has spent more than SR100 million for developmental projects in the area and billions are expected to be appropriated for it in the next few years when the new Jamarat bridge and flyovers project starts, he concluded. The Minister of Hajj Iyad Madani inaugurated the third annual Islamic seminar organized by the Ministry of Hajj under the title: Makkah, the Capital of Islamic Culture. General secretary of the grand Hajj seminar, Abu-Baker Ahmed Ba-Qader, said that the repetition of the title of this seminar does not mean a repetition of ideas and topics . In the previous seminars we have chosen the same title, but every year we come out with new ideas and research that can make the whole Islamic countries come together at this place to renew the sources of the Islamic culture and to show clearly the unity of Muslims, Ba-Qader said. Madani said the attention accorded by Saudi authorities is a service to the holy places and pilgrims. He noted that the Hajj Ministry is keen to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in comfort and with ease. Madani stressed the importance of convening the seminar, and said that a number of intellectuals took part in it. Several Ulema (Muslim scholars), intellectuals and poets from several Arab and Muslim countries took part in the three-day seminar to review a number of topics . Some speakers in the grand Hajj seminar are Mohammed Ali Athershb from Iran talked about Persian Hajj journeys; Khirat Saki from Turkey spoke about Makkah in the 19th century; Husain Hajj Ibrhimovich from Russia highlighted Islamic traditions in Makkah; and Murtadh Amrov from Uzbekistan talked about the two holy mosques as outlined in the prophets sayings. At the end of the opening ceremony the minister of Hajj opened the expo of Hajj that was organized by Saud Al-Babtain Charitable Foundation for Heritage and culture. The expo aimed to support the Islamic heritage and cultural activities during Hajj season, shows many Islamic scripts, references and coins in the early Islamic eras. On the other hand the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank has embarked on a comprehensive program to feed, educate and rehabilitate Muslim victims of the recent tsunami disaster that struck the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. IDB has allocated $500 million for relief activities in tsunami-hit countries. A special team headed by Kuala Lumpur-based IDB's Business Analyst Azlan ibn Hajji Uzir kicked off its relief operations from the Islamic Center in Colombo. Former Parliament Speaker and senior legislator and founder of the Islamic Center, Mohammed Haniffa Mohamed, and Ali Hussein Siraj from the IDB were present on the occasion. The SR1.4 million project in Sri Lanka will be implemented in three phases through the Islamic Center in Muslim settlements affected by tidal waves. "The first phase of the project will be emergency relief operations which would concentrate on supplying dry rations for those victims who are really in need of consumer items," Mohamed said, adding that medicines and cooked food are being supplied in abundance by government and non-government organizations. Mohamed, who is also the founder member of the Constituent Council of the Makkah-based Muslim World League, visited all areas where Muslims were affected. As a second step, Mohamed said that IDB will adopt widows and orphans among the survivors for a period of six months. "They will be provided with food, clothing and shelter during this period and they will also be treated for post-trauma syndrome in centers set up by the Islamic Center," Mohamed said. During the third phase of the project, vocational training schools will be built for the widows and orphans to help them find jobs. he added. Some 500 Muslim women have been widowed and an equal number of children orphaned after the disaster. Mohamed pointed out that there were some 400 beneficiaries of IDB's scholarship program who have now become professionals in the fields of medicine, engineering, agriculture and accountancy. "These graduates will form the volunteer force to implement the projects in the tsunami-affected areas," he said. With the help of some of them, the Islamic Center has set up medical camps in areas such as Hambantota, Matara, Kinniya, Kirinde, Kalmunai and Muttur to attend to the health needs of the survivors. Hajji Uzir said "IDB member countries such as Indonesia and Maldives will get special consideration by virtue of their membership, while relief projects in non-Muslim countries will be channeled through recognized organizations in the respective countries." IDB plans to build schools, hospitals and vocational training centers in Maldives, he added. On the other hand the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) celebrates Sunday the 20th anniversary of launching the Saudi Arabian Sacrificial Meat Project (Adhahi project). The celebration ceremony is under the patronage of Minister of Municipality Meteb Ibn Abdul Aziz on behalf of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz with the participation of diplomats in the country, representatives of Islamic organizations and heads of the visiting Hajj (pilgrimage) missions. The ceremony is scheduled to include honoring several workers of the project from the Saudi ministries and institutions. Hajj (Pilgrimage) involves certain religious rites that should be performed at particular times and at certain places. Among these rites is the sacrifice of whatever cattle or sheep the pilgrim can easily afford. The IDB makes arrangements with suppliers for the provision of casual and seasonal butchers and other supporting labor, as well as the tools required for the slaughtering, skinning, cleaning, packaging, storing and preparing the carcasses for distribution. Local contractors also undertake the care and maintenance of the slaughterhouses, under the supervision of the IDB, in order to keep them safe, efficient and ready for operation. Cleaning services are provided by Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs through yearly contracts with competent companies. A Large number of the Public Security forces participate in the project to guarantee safety and security at the slaughterhouses while in operation.