Here’s one very positive thing to come out of the Madrid Interfaith Conference! Saudi Islamic scholar Sheikh Hassan Al-Saffar points out that the act or desire of trying to impose one religious view on others is absolutely inimical to peace. He notes, very surprisingly, that people should not be basing their views of other religions on views expressed in books written centuries ago. More please!
Attempts to impose views lead to conflicts: Al-Saffar
Badea Abu Al-Naja | Arab NewsMADRID: Sheikh Hassan Al-Saffar, a prominent Saudi Islamic scholar, expressed his hope that the World Conference on Dialogue in Madrid would help defeat instigators of wars and conflicts as well as proponents of a clash of civilizations.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the conference, Al-Saffar said the move to impose one’s ideology over others was the main factor that threatens peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths.
“Some people think that it’s their right to impose their views on others as they believe that only their religion is correct and others are wrong. This attempt to dominate over others undermines coexistence and human relations,” said Al-Saffar. “Those who want to propagate their ideas should present them in a decent manner and give the public the choice to accept or reject them. This will encourage free thinking and generate respect for the views of others.”
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July:18:2008 - 12:10
I wonder how much impact this Sheikh’s words will have upon Muslims.
July:18:2008 - 14:50
Solomon2,
I really think the clerics comments are significant. However, he is a leader in the minority Shiia group in Saudi. I would love to see similar comments from a cleric in a more powerful position as a top cleric of Saudi Sunnah or a prominent Iranian Shiia cleric. I think those will carry more weight.
July:18:2008 - 16:14
“Our problem is we don’t read others correctly and depend solely on preconceived notions about others, having images of others that do not conform with reality.”
The Sheikh just diagnosed his own people with mass schizophrenia, so I did have to wonder.
Is it just me, or do the Saudi Shias generally appear glum and depressed in photographs whereas Saudi Sunnis look neutral or happy?
July:18:2008 - 21:03
I don’t see this as an example of schizophrenia, rather as the result of a xenophobic society that has been cut off from the flow of history until the 1930s and only reluctantly–dragging its heels all the way–started to wake up to a reality that developed around it.
July:20:2008 - 08:33
Solomon, funny you mentioned this. I’ve often wondered myself why the Shia look rather serious. It’s not a Saudi thing, I’ve noted it in all countries. So, if you’re going the repression route, won’t work.
John, agree totally with your analysis.