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In Regard of Dialogue Among Religions
In the World Conference for Dialogue in Madrid on July 16, 2008, His Majesty,
King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz delivered a message he held from scholars and
thinkers, who met in the public square of Qa’aba, a message that calls for the
constructive dialogue among the followers of religions, a letter which brings
goodness to humanity by turning a new page where agreement replaces conflict, if
God wills.
He added,
“We all believe in the one God, Who sent messengers for people’s sake in this
world and the hereafter world and Whose wisdom called for the different
religions of people, though if he had wanted, he would have gathered them on one
religion. Today we meet to assure that the religions God wanted for the
happiness of people should be means for their happiness.”
Therefore, we announce to the world that this difference should not
lead to dissension and conflict, and we say that the miseries suffered by
humanity throughout history was not because of religions, but because of
extremism that characterized some of the followers of every heavenly religion
and every political doctrine.
In the past, many dialogues failed because they turned to be hurls at
one another, focusing and magnifying each other differences – a useless effort
which increases rather than decreases tensions. Perhaps those dialogues failed
because they tried to melt religions and sects in the name of shortening
distances among them – another useless effort. Followers of every religion
believe in their doctrine and do not accept an alternative; nevertheless, if we
want this historical meeting to achieve success, we must look into the common
factors among us revealed through our deep faith in God, the noble principles,
and the high morals which represent the core of religions.
Nowadays, humanity is suffering from the loss of values and dubiosity
of concepts; it is passing through a critical period (despite all the scientific
progress) because of the spread of crimes, the increase of terrorism, the
disintegration of family, the profanation of drugs to the minds of youth, the
exploitation of the strong to the poor and the abominable racial disputes, where
all are the result of the spiritual gap suffered by people after forgetting God,
who, thus, made them forget themselves. Our sole exit is through the unification
of word and the dialogue among religions and civilizations.
Man could be the cause of either destroying all this planet, or
changing it to an oasis of peace and harmony where he could coexist with the
followers of other religions, confessions and philosophies; cooperate with them
respectfully and face difficulties together with dialogue rather than violence.
With God’s help, this
man could defeat antagonism with love, fanaticism with forgiveness, and make all
people enjoy dignity - the honor considered to be bestowed by God
(Most Exalted, Most Glorified)
on Adam’s
fellowmen.
Undoubtly, a profound wisdom hides behind the diversity of messengers,
so the justice of the Almighty is proved to be true since He made worships of
one’s own volition, otherwise, if made with impulsion, reward and penalty would
be invalid.
The holders of every
mission adopted a different methodology regarding the performance of rites,
fasting and worships. The religions all emphasized the unity of faith in
marriage to preserve the members of its mission; however, the kings, emirs and
great leaders deviated from this latter principle throughout history for
personal and political reasons.
The overseers of each
heavenly religion or confession are assigned in charge of its existence,
prosperity and continuity. Consequently, every individual born under the
auspices of a family of any religion or confession is to abide by its
principles, values, customs and traditions.
In this course, we
mention what God’s messenger
(pbuh)
stated, “Moses
people will divide into 72 groups, All will be in Hell, except one. Isa’s people
will divide into 73 groups. All will be in Hell, except one." Al Bihar 28/5
However, the question
set forth: who determines the saved group?! Is not it God, Most Exalted, Most
Glorified, the All-Wise!
The Mashyakhat Aql of
the Mouwahidoune Druze asks its fellows of monotheistic doctrine to hold the
honorable monotheistic values and customs firmly, abide by them, respect their
privacy and not violate their essential rules. It finds in the speech of His
Majesty, King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz, an expression of reality sought by the
honest.
Peace be upon the
followers of righteousness.
Monotheistic Concepts
In
Regard of Dialogue Among Religions
The
Bureau of Mashyakhat Al Aql of
the
Mouwahidoune Druze Sect – Beirut
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