The few suicidal militants who have hijacked Islam's teachings are not portraying the true tenets of the religion, said the UAE Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf.
Mohammad Nakhira Al Daheri said: "There's a need to clarify Islamic concepts and the true image of Islam." He was speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Information and Culture yesterday, where he announced the holding of a six-day conference from October 25 to highlight Islam's teachings about tolerance, forgiveness, justice and peaceful coexistence.
The gathering The Prophet's Way of Dawa and Guidance aims to change the international perception about Islam and address the question of radicalism attached to it by militants.
More importantly, the event, under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, will highlight the forgiving nature of Islam and its relationship with non-Muslims.
The minister said that the conference is not being held due to any prodding by Western countries. "This conference is not being held because of external pressures but because part of the ministry's activities and policies is to clarify Islamic concepts and the true image of Islam."
But he stressed that misunderstandings due to the emergence of radical ideas and activities falsely associated with Islam must be clarified before the global community.
Islam, one of the three Abrahamic faiths alongside Judaism and Christianity, has over one billion followers, one-fifth of the earth's inhabitants. The UAE has lived its own moderate version of Islam not just with words but with actions.
Ever since the UAE was formed, it has embraced believers belonging to other faiths. Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates have donated land on which Christian denominations have built their churches and Hindus their temples.
Al Daheri, who is also chairman of the conference, said they seek to establish a scientific, legal, and controlled system for correct Islamic teachings. The conference aims to instruct preachers, teachers and other Islamic scholars on how to balance their teachings and help spread awareness through Friday sermons, lectures and the media.
"We will address the issue of the delivery of Islamic content, the problem of extremism, negligence, as well as lessons of Islamic tolerance and forgiveness."
Eminent scholars will present lectures, open to both Muslims and non-Muslims, at nine venues on the sidelines of the conference. The lectures will be delivered by teachers of Islamic studies, prayer leaders, preachers and university professors.
Hamdan Al Mazroui, Assistant Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs at the ministry, said: "The conference is divided into academic research, meetings between visiting scholars and Islamic lectures. The lectures will run for three days. All those involved in teaching Islamic studies will attend to ensure the proper upbringing of students amidst international changes."
Gulf News
