The role of the Muslim World League, headquartered in Mecca, is to promote Islam. It is a proselytizing agency, created to spread Islam, in particular, the form of Salafism practiced in Saudi Arabia. Thus, any resolution it reaches will have the promotion of Islam at its core.
The MWL is greatly feared by many Islamophobes as well as those who fear an Islamic takeover of the West. As dawa, or ‘the call’ is an elemental part of Islam, the MWL is not about to stop its efforts to encourage others to accept Islam. The MWL sees Islam as the solution to all the worlds problems—if only everyone was a good Muslim, of course. A similar view is held by the Catholic Society for the Propagation of the Faith, but this is not seen as an existential threat for some reason.
The MWL is blamed for much of Islamic extremism. Some blame is probably due as a result of the group’s publications and funding for mosques and preachers which promote an austere form of Islam, much harsher than the Islam practiced in most of the Islamic world. The MWL, as other Saudi institutions, has a record of sloppy accountability in its donations to groups that turned out to be terror-oriented, too.
Islam cannot be ‘the Answer’ when Muslims themselves cannot agree on just what it means to be Muslim. The global community will not leap to accept Islam until Islam demonstrates that it has resolved all the conflicts, contradictions, and violence it bears within itself.
The MWL has a legitimate role in promoting Islam. I think all religions have the same right to promote themselves though Saudi Arabia, of course, does not allow proselytizing within its border by any religion but Islam. But thinking that it is in a position to convince the world through words, when the world is waiting for action, is a fool’s game.
Forum calls for strategic plan to reach out to non-Muslims
P.K. Abdul Ghafour | Arab NewsJEDDAH: An international conference organized by the Muslim World League has called for a strategic plan to introduce Islam as a solution to major problems facing humanity and as a religion that promotes peace, freedom and tolerance.
The three-day conference, titled “Introducing Islam to non-Islamic countries: Reality and aspirations,” stressed that non-Muslims living in Islamic countries should enjoy all of the rights enjoyed by Muslims.
It said Muslim countries must introduce Islam to non-Muslim countries as part of efforts to improve foreign relations.
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December:04:2008 - 13:35
KSA tends to practice wahhabism which is not quite salafism. Many of the scholars are the same however there are differences
December:04:2008 - 13:39
Sure, but the Saudis also deny that there is such a thing as ‘Wahhabism’! They call themselves Salafists (or occasionally, Muwahhidun).
There are different flavors of Salafism, but you can’t get many Muslims to agree on just what distinguishes them. Most think any form is too harsh.
December:04:2008 - 16:13
The concern should not be, I believe, by non-believers about Islam.
However, many within the Kingdom defend pernicious activity by the ulemaa (such as the Committee, etc.) as being mandated by religion.
There also exists a disturbing trend in the Kingdom of subconsciously assuming that Islam is inferior, and that, as such, any non-Islamic theologies must never be allowed to exist because (in the minds of those who subscribe to this false belief) Islam would be unable to demonstrate its benefits to those adults who would examine and analyze these foreign theologies.
A form of inferiority complex pervades many believers regarding our religion.
December:04:2008 - 19:35
“…stressed that non-Muslims living in Islamic countries should enjoy all of the rights enjoyed by Muslims”.
As a practicing Christian just moved back to Australia from 4 years in KSA, this one just makes me laugh (or cry!?).
As for Islam being the solution to all humanity’s problems, maybe they should sort out their own house before they start recommending Islam to the rest of us.
December:04:2008 - 21:46
Well said!
December:07:2008 - 05:23
John, I would also have to say that it is not Salafism in the Kingdom. Majority in Saudi are Sunny Muslims (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni), and for the most part hail the Hanbali School of Law – Jurisprudence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanbali).
Another interesting fact is, Muslims like to talk about Islam and even want to Introduce it to Non-Muslims without first having to have their own home in order, and on the other side, If ever introduced to Islam, Non-Muslims are quick to judge Islam based on the contemporary Muslims. Quite a paradox I would say.
Thanks,