Religious Scholar Stresses Need for Interfaith Dialogue

Dubai-UAE: 1 September, 2010 - The key to cultural progress and religious acceptance is interfaith dialogue, tolerance for diversity, religious understanding, bridge-building and moderation, according to Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Islamic religious scholar and the Founder and CEO of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA Society).

The Imam's comments came during a talk on "Religious Tolerance and Muslim Life in America" held at the Dubai School of Government (DSG).

He said: "We are Christians and Muslims, but one of our faults is instead of worshipping God, we worship our religion and use that to cause division between us. The sense of brotherhood and unity that the prophets had for each other as servants of the true God is the primary lesson we should all learn.

"The demand is on us (Muslims) to feel a special brotherhood with the Christian and Jewish faiths and certainly our own. It is time to accept that the Laws of Moses, Jesus and Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) were never opposed to each other."

During his talk, Imam Feisal discussed the need to promote healthy dialogue and understanding between Muslims and the West. He also described the reality of Islamic life and freedom of worship in the US.

He added: "It is important to raise awareness and disseminate knowledge to minimize misconceptions or prejudice. For this purpose, it is important to augment the avenues for studying Christian or Jewish culture in the Middle Eastern universities, which is in stark contrast to the universities in the West, many of which offer courses in Islamic studies."

The Imam is on an outreach trip spanning key countries in the Middle East organised by the US State Department. His Excellency Justin Siberell, the US Counsul-General in Dubai, as well as officials from the Consulate and the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, were present at the lecture.

Dr. Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government, said: "The need for tolerance and religious understanding is greater now than ever before. There are those who would drive the world toward a "clash of civilizations" scenario, but the vast majority of people in both the Islamic and Western worlds seek a peaceful world based on mutual respect. We are honored to host Iman Feisal Abdul Rauf, who has devoted his life to promoting a tolerant, open and confident vision of Islam which is fully at home in America, and we in the Dubai School of Government look forward to continuing our initiatives toward strengthening the bonds of understanding between the West and the Muslim world."

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is the Imam of Masjid Al-Farah, a mosque in New York City. He has dedicated his life to building bridges between Muslims and the West and is a leader in the effort to foster religious pluralism and integrate Islam into the contemporary American society.

By establishing ASMA in 1997, he created the first Muslim organization committed to bringing Muslims and non-Muslims together through programmes in academia, policy, current affairs and culture. As Imam of Masjid Al-Farah, he preaches a message of peace and understanding between people, regardless of creed, nationality or political beliefs.

Established in 2005 in cooperation with the Harvard Kennedy School, the Dubai School of Government is committed to the creation of knowledge and the dissemination of global best practices in the Arab world. The institution conducts various programmes that seek to enhance the region's capacity for effective public policies.

For more details, visit www.dsg.ae or call 04 329 3290.

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About the Dubai School of Government
The Dubai School of Government (DSG) is a research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world. Established in 2005 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, in cooperation with the Harvard Kennedy School, DSG aims to promote good governance through enhancing the region's capacity for effective public policy. Toward this goal, the Dubai School of Government also collaborates with regional and global institutions in delivering its research and training programs. In addition, the School organizes policy forums and international conferences to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote critical debate on public policy in the Arab world.

Dubai School of Government
Convention Tower | Level 13 | P.O. Box 72229 | Dubai. UAE
Tel. 971.4.329.3290 
Fax. 971.4.329.3291
Website www.dsg.ae

For more information contact:
Selma Nagbou
Outreach Manager
Dubai School of Government
www.dsg.ae
Tel:       +971 4 317 5517
+971 4 317 5517      
Mob:     +0971 50 394 8835
Fax:      +971 4 329 329 1

Mathilda Saad
JiWin
Tel:      +9714 361 3879
+9714 361 3879      
+9714 361 3333
+9714 361 3333      
+97150 699 9890
Fax:      +9714 388 8001
Email: mathilda.saad@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2010