MAKKAH, 2 April 2006 -- In a written speech read by Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah exhorted Muslim scholars yesterday to close their ranks and unite in the face of contemporary challenges.
At the opening of the Islamic Unity Conference, the king instructed scholars to rise to the challenges to their faith, moral values and culture.
The forum is being organized by the Muslim World League to mark the occasion of the founding of the International Forum for the Muslim Scholars at the league's headquarters.
"The Muslim World League has done well by organizing an international forum of Muslim scholars, which we hope will contribute to bringing about unity among the Muslim leaders and people and lead the community to the safe shores," the king said in his message.
The king also blamed the conduct of a small group of misguided youths among Muslims for provoking the attacks against Islam. "There are also internal challenges within the Islamic ranks disfiguring the brilliant image of Islam," said the king.
In his speech, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the Kingdom's grand mufti and chairman of the MWL's constituent council, stressed that the glory of the nation lies in its unity based on the religion, the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah.
With the participation of more than 300 Muslim scholars and intellectuals, the forum was organized by the Makkah-based league under the title of "The Unity of the Muslim Nation."
Addressing the opening session, MWL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Turki underlined the importance of Muslim unity and said it is an essential matter for confronting dangers and problems facing the Muslims.
Those who participated in the forum also included Lebanon's Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Rashid Qabbani.
By Zainy Abbas
© Arab News 2006
