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GLOBAL UMMAH SOLIDARITY
#2
SCHOLARS SEEK MUSLIM UNITY

Mohammad Sabrah
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satel...=Article_C&cid=1168265727030&pagename=Zone-English-News%2FNWELayout
  
"The conference will seek to bridge the gap between the Sunnis and Shiites in order to avoid divisions between the Islamic sects," Manna said

DOHA – More than 200 Muslim scholars and intellectuals will come together in the Qatari capital on Saturday, January 20, to mull ways of promoting dialogue between the different Islamic schools of thought and warding off sectarian divisions. "The Doha Conference for Dialogue of Islamic Schools of Thought will seek to bridge the gap between the Sunnis and Shiites in order to avoid divisions between the Islamic sects," Aisha Al-Manna, the dean of the Qatari College of Sharia`h and chair of the conference, told IslamOnline.net.

The three-day conferenceis held under the theme "Schools of Thoughts & Contemporary Challenges".

The event is organized by the Qatari College of Sharia`h in cooperation with Al-Azhar University and the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.

A galaxy of prominent Sunni and Shiite Muslim scholars and intellectuals will attend the conference.

Leading among attendees are Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the president of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), Akmeleddin Ihsanoghlu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammed Ali Al Taskhiri, Secretary General of The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Thought.

Also attending are Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, the Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouq, Egypt's Minister of Awqaf (religious endowments) and Grand Mufti of Syria Dr. Ahmed Badr al-Din Hassoun.

Muslim Unity

Manna said the meeting will seek to foster unity among the different Islamic sects.

"The idea is not to change beliefs of the Sunnis and Shiites but to open a dialogue between various sects and schools of thought to heal rifts and avoid divisions," she added.

Four years after the US invasion-turned-occupation, Iraq has been plagued by a bloody cycle of sectarian violence between Shiites and Sunnis.

The UN has said that more than 34,000 Iraqis were killed in violence last year alone.

Pakistan is also a scene of occasional attacks between Sunnis and Shiites.

Manna said attendees will also discuss the phenomenon of "exclusivism" and its dangerous impact on inter-faith dialogue.

The unity of the Muslim nation and obstacles hindering proximity between the different schools of thought will also be probed, she added.

Manna urged politicians and intellectuals to seek easing tensions between followers of the different Islamic sects.

She voiced hope that Muslim attendees would succeed in reaching common ground on promoting unity between the different Islamic schools of thought.

The first conference for proximity between the Islamic sects was held in Cairo in 1979.
    
  

Agenda of Doha Conference for Dialogue of Islamic Schools of Thought
(Role of Proximity in the Umma's Real Unity)

20th to 22nd January , 2007
Doha – Qatar
Sheraton Hotel
Saturday 20th January, 2007

Time Details
10:00 - 11:00
Al-Dafna(1)
Opening Session :

Holy Quran Recital.

• H.E Mr. Abdulla Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah – Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Industry.
• H.E. Prof. Dr. Mahmoud H Zagzoug – Minister of Endowment & Religious Affairs, Egypt.
• H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Khalili – The Mofti of the Sultanate of Oman.
• Ayatollah. Sheikh Mohamed Ali Al-Taskhiri – General Secretary of The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, Iran.
• H.E. Prof. Dr. Akmeleddin Ihsanoghlu. Secretary General, Organization of Islamic Conference, Jedda.
• H.E. Prof. Dr. Yousef Abdulla Al-Qaradawi, President of the International Association of Muslim Scholars, Qatar.
11:00 - 12:00 Break.
12:00 - 14:00
Al-Dafna(2)
  First Session :
The Importance of Dialogue for the Unity of the Umma:
Chair :-
• H.E. Prof. Dr. Ali Gumaa Mohamed, Mofti of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Rapporteur :-
• H.E. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdulla Al-Sharqawi – Professor, College of Sharia Q U.
Speakers:-
• Dr. Issam Ahmed Al-Basheer – General Secretary, Kuwait Wassatiya Centre.
Dialogue of Islamic Schools of Thought is a necessity.
• Prof. Dr. Abdul Majeed Al-Najjar, Muslim Thinker.
The role of dialogue in addressing civilizational challenges.
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ali Azreshab, Professor, Tehran University, and Chairman of the Iranian Arabian Cultural Centre.
Proximity from the elite to the general Public.
• Sheikh Mohana Bin Omran Al-Twaijani, Ebadhi Sect Scholar.
Proximity and its relationship with the Inter-faith Dialogue.
14:00 - 17:00 Lunch.
17:00 - 18:30
Al-Dafna(2)
  Second Session :
Interrelationship between
Islamic Schools of Thought in Islamic heritage:
Chair :-
• Prof. Dr. Sheikh. Tomach Mescovich, Mofti of Poland.
Rapporteur :-
• Dr. Mohamed Saleh Al-Sheeb, Assoc. Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Speakers:-
• Prof. Dr. Abdulmalik A. Al-Saadi, Assoc Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Proclamation of Mekka and proximity.
• Mr. Sayed Shaker Al-Yousef, a Shria Scholar.
Interrelationship between Islamic Schools of Thought in heritage.
• Prof. Dr. Mohmed Hassan Tibraiyan, Advisor to the General Secretary, Proximity Forum, Iran.
Strategy of proximity between Islamic Schools of Thought and its role in the Unity of the Umma.
• Dr. Abdulhakeem Al-Khulaifi, Assoc Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Models of interrelations between Islamic Schools of Thought.
18:30 - 19:00 Break.
19:30 - 21:30
Al-Dafna(2)
  Third Session :
Obstacles and Challenges (1):
Chair :-
• Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abaddi, Former Endowment Minister, Jordan.
Rapporteur :-
• Dr. Abduljabar Ahmed, Assoc Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Speakers:-
• Prof. Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Al-Tayeb, President Al-Azhar University.
Denominational differences and the illusion of clash.
• Ayatollah. Sheikh Mohamed Ali Al-Taskheri, General Secretary, World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.
Obstacles to proximity.
• Prof. Dr. Siraj Aqeel, Head, Postgraduate Studies, Indonesia University.
Internal challenges.
• Ayatollah Alouzma Fadel Al-Malki, an Imamiya Scholar.
External challenges.
• Prof. Dr. Mohja Ghalib, Prof., College of Islamic Studies,
Al-Azhar University.
Reciprocal allegations.
Sunday 21st January, 2007

Time Details  
09:30 - 11:30
Al-Dafna(2)
  Fourth Session :
Obstacles and Challenges (2):
Chair :-
• Prof. Dr. Wahba Al-Zuhaili, Former Dean, College of Sharia, Syria.
Rapporteur :-
• Dr. Abdulla Ibrahim Al-Ansari, Assist Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Speakers:-
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Amara, Islamic Scholar, Egypt.
Ex-Communication and the Unity of the Umma.
• Prof. Dr. Ismael Abdulkhaliq Al-Diftar, Prof of Hadith, Al-Azhar University.
Prophet Hadith on the divergence of the Umma.
• Prof. Dr. Ali Laghi, Dean, Mass Com College, Jenan University, Lebanon.
Political challenges.
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Kamal Imam, Head, Sharia Dept., Alexandria University.
Sectarian bigotry.
• Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Muslim Thinker, UK.
Dialogue and Muslims in non-Muslim countries.
11:30 - 12:00 Break.
12:00 - 14:00
Al-Dafna(2)
  Fifth Session :
Phenomenon of Exclusionism and Its Dangerous Impact
on the Inter-faith Dialogue
Chair :-
• Sheikh. Mustafa Tseritch, Mofti of Bosnia.
Rapporteur :-
• Dr. Hamdi Abdulla Al-Sharqawi, Assist Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Speakers:-
• Dr. Yousef Mahmoud Al-Siddiqi, Vice-Dean, College of Sharia Q U.
Phenomenon of exclusionism: causes, danger and remedy.
• Prof. Dr. Ahemd Badreddin Hassoon, The General Mofti of Syria.
Role of scholars and politicians in redressing the phenomenon of exclusionism.
• Prof. Dr. Mubarak Al-Rashidi, Former Dean, Sharia College, Sultanate of Oman.
Role of pillars of Islam in rejecting the exclusionist thought
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Hassan Wajeeh, Prof., English Language,
Al-Azhar University.
Media Practicing Exclusion and Managing Conflicts.
14:00 - 17:00 Lunch.
17:00 - 19:00
Al-Dafna(2)
  Sixth Session :
Means of Proximity– Hopes and Aspirations (1)
Chair :-
• Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Al-Tuwaijri , General Secretary (ISESCO) Rabat.
Rapporteur :-
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Salem Abou Assi, Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Speakers:-
• Prof. Dr. Algassaby Mahmoud Zalat, Former Vice-President,
Al-Azhar University.
Phenomenon of extremism and means of proximity.
• Prof. Dr. Khalid Al-Mazkour, Chairman, Higher Committee for the Application of Sharia, Kuwait.
Jurisprudence (Fiqh) of Al- Albait (the family of the Prophet) and its role in proximity.
• Prof. Dr. Abdelkhaliq Qaddi, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, International Islamic University, Pakistan.
Norms of dialogue among Islamic Schools of Thought .
• Ayatollah Shiekh Mohamed Waez Zadah Al-Khorasani, a Sheia Scholar, Iran.
Role of Al Thagalain Hadith in proximity between Islamic Schools of Thought.
19:00 - 19:30 Break.
19:30 - 21:30
Al-Dafna(2)
  Seven Session :
Means of Proximity – Hopes and Aspirations (2)
Chair :-
• Prof. Dr. Abdulateef M. Al-Mahmoud, Prof., Islamic and Arabic Studies, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Rapporteur :-
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdelhafez Ibrahim, Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Speakers:-
• Sheikh. Ibrahim Mohamed Al-Wazeer, Chairman, Islmic Studies Centre,Yemen.
Practical programs to realize communication.
• Sheikh. Mohamed Suliman Jaras, an Ebadhi Scholar, France.
Practical programs to realize communication between Islamic Schools of Thought.
• Prof. Dr. Sabah Zankana, Advisor, Judiciary, Iran.
Practical programs to realize communication.
• Prof. Dr. Khalil Rajab Hamdan, Prof., Sharia College, Sanaa University.
Practical programs to realize communication.
• Dr. Mohamed Saleem Qasemi, Prof., Aligra University, India.
Role of civil organizations in the realization of proximity.
Monday 22nd January, 2007

09:30 - 12:00
Al-Dafna(1)
  Eighth and Final Session:
Dialogue of Islamic Schools of Thought and Minorities
Chair :-
• Dr. Jassim Ali Al-Shamsi, Dean, College of Sharia and Law, UAE University.
Rapporteur :-
• Prof. Dr. Aisha Yousef Al-Mannai, Dean, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, QU.
Speakers:-
• Prof. Dr. Mufti Zahid Ali Khan, Prof., of Islamic Theology, Aligra University, India.
Proximity between Islamic Schools of Thought and its importance for minorities.
• Prof. Dr. Ali Mohi Eddin Al-Quradaghi, Prof., College of Sharia Q U.
Dialogue of Islamic Schools of Thought and minorities.
Qatar University - (Recommendations).


DOHA CONFERENCE FOR DIALOGUE OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
Mohammad Fathi
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satel...=Article_C&cid=1168265754417&pagename=Zone-English-News

  
"The Shiite proselytizing in areas with heavy Sunni populations is dangerous and throws a spanner in unity efforts," Qaradawi said.

DOHA — Prominent scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has called on Shiites to stop proselytizing Sunnis, imploring both communities to close ranks and stand united to face daunting challenges ahead.
"The Shiite proselytizing in areas with heavy Sunni populations is dangerous and throws a spanner in unity efforts," Qaradawi told the first Doha Conference for Dialogue of Islamic Schools of Thought, which opened Saturday, January 20.

Qaradawi, the head of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), said Sunnis, a majority in the Muslim world, have taken the initiative and issued fatwas that recognized the Shiite Jaafari school, unlike Shiites.

He cautioned that proselytizing sows division and stands as a stumbling bloc to denominational proximity.

Qaradawi cited an example of Iranian diplomats who spread books promulgating the Shiite belief in Sudan, which was confirmed by Sudanese Minister of Awqaf (religious endowments) Esam Al-Bashir, who attends the conference.

But Iranian Shiite scholar Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri, the head of the Islamic Culture and Communications Organization (ICCO), rejected Qaradawi's proselytizing charges.

"Sunnis should instead stop proselytizing Shiites," he said, urging Sunni scholars to stop branding Shiites as "infidels" due to dogmatic differences.

Ali Azrship, head of the Iranian-Arab Cultural Studies Center in Iran, said he did not expect such remarks from Qaradawi, which he says do not help Muslim dialogue.

The three-day conference is held under the theme "Schools of Thoughts & Contemporary Challenges".

The event is organized by the Qatari College of Sharia`h in cooperation with Al-Azhar University and the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.

It has drawn more than 200 delegates from over 40 countries, including Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, and Egypt's Religious Endowments Minister Mahmoud Hamdi Zakzouk.

Insulting Companions

Qaradawi criticized some Shiites for repeatedly insulting the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

"How can I shake hands with those who are swearing at the Companions? It is the Companions who brought Islam to Iran, so why the rudeness?"

He rejected Shiite claims that Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab was responsible for the killing of the prophet's daughter and wife of Imam Ali, Fatima Al-Zahra.

"Both Shiites and Sunnis should remove any provocative remarks from their discourse and curricula," insisted Qaradawi.

He urged Sunni and Shiite scholars worldwide to engage in a candid dialogue to bridge the gap between the two schools and end differences that stoke sectarian sedition.

"We are trying our best to bridge the gap between different religions, so why don't we do the same to bridge the gap between the followers of the Muslim faith?" Qaradawi wondered.

Bashir, the Sudanese minister, also criticized Shiite insults of the Companions.

"I tell those Shiites who swear at the Companions to model them after Kuwaiti Shiites and Sunnis, who established a society revering the Companions," he said.

Iraq Violence

Qaradawi said Muslim scholars cannot stand idly vis-à-vis the raging sectarian violence in Iraq with Sunnis taking the brunt.

"There are attempts to change the demography of (the Iraqi capital) Baghdad to force Sunnis out," he charged.

Adnan Al-Dulaimi, the leader of the Sunni National Accord Front, has recently accused Shiite militias of trying to change Baghdad's Sunni demography through waves of sectarian killings and forcible evacuations.

"This plot is based on killing and intimidating Sunnis, forcing them into a panicky flight from Baghdad and its suburbs to change the demography," he told IslamOnline.net.

The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said earlier this month around 12 percent of Iraqis have fled their homes as a result of the sectarian violence that engulfed the country following the US-led invasion in 2003.

Qaradawi hit out at "black hatred" of Shiite death squads who grisly torture Sunnis before killing them.

The Pentagon, in a recent report, described the Shiite Mahdi Army militia as the biggest threat to Iraq's security and the main culprit behind the surge in civilian deaths.

Iraq's most revered Shiite scholar Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani has admitted his inability to prevent a civil war in Iraq, lamenting that he no longer as an influence on Shiites who have switched allegiance to militant groups and death squads.

Almost 34,000 Iraqi civilians died last year as the sectarian violence reached new heights, above all in Baghdad.

Iran's Role

  
The conference has drawn 200 scholars from all over the world. (IOL)  
Qaradawi asserted that Iran does have the power to extinguish the sectarian fire in Iraq.

"There is no doubt that Iran has power and influence...and can stop this turmoil and put out this fire...before it is too late," he said.

"It is high time the Shiites distanced themselves from what's going on in Iraq," said Qaradawi, noting that he made fervent calls to top Shiite scholars like Iran's Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei to intervene.

"The power which is hostile to Islam...is plotting to divide this nation along ethnic, denominational and territorial lines," said Qaradawi without specifying the power in question.

Earlier this month, Qaradawi urged Khamenei and top Iranian scholars to do something and stop the systematic killing of Iraqi Sunnis.

"Otherwise," he said, "Sunnis worldwide would accuse them of complicity."

Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad el-Attaiya said sectarian divisions are the greatest challenge facing the Muslim nation.

He urged Shiites and Sunnis to take into their strides politically-motivated differences, which are exploited by others to serve their interests.

Ihsanoglu, the OIC's chief, said the Muslim nation is in a dire need to cement its unity, regretting that sectarian conflicts had become a fact of life that spells grave consequences for Muslims worldwide.

"I fear that the bloody sectarian differences between Muslims would turn into political conflicts."
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