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Imam speaks at interfaith dinner
On May 4th Imam Hamid Slimi made history as the first imam to speak at a Neighbourhood Interfaith Group dinner.
The annual dinner was hosted by Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. Beauchamp, who is an Anglican, said he encourages people of all the different faiths to sit together on the same table to encourage dialogue.
The Moroccon-born imam spoke about Islam and its beliefs:
“Islam is very simple. There’s one God in heaven and God is merciful,” he said. “There is this unfavourable thinking of Islam and Muslims. I can’t deny that there are extreme thoughts – it happens in every religion.”
The imam dispelled the myth that all Muslims are taught to hate the Jewish people:
“Everyone is loved by God,” he said. “I grew up in a district where we had Jews and Christians. We were never taught to hate [them.] The prophet said that [Muslims] can marry Jews and Christians, who are the people of the Book.”
Rabbi Schild reminded them all their have something in common:
“We’re all citizens of Canada...In Canada, people with different ethnicities and religions can live together in harmony.” On May 4th Imam Hamid Slimi made history as the first imam to speak at a Neighbourhood Interfaith Group dinner. ... more -
Dutch imams promoting 'shared' values
Imams in Dutch mosques usually preach the same virtues & values in their sermons commonly accepted by other Dutch people (which is important) according to a recent study.
Fred Leemhuis, professor of Arabic at Groningen University points out:
"The image of Dutch imams is based on comments by two or three radical salafi [fundamentalist] Imams, who continually turn up in the media. We wanted to find out what Dutch mainstream imams are really preaching. And, in particular, which virtues they're commending to their congregations."
SERMONS ANALYSED
The sermons of six randomly chosen Dutch Imams from different ethnic backgrounds who were also extensively interviewed were analysed by Mr Leemhuis & Anand Blank.The study shows that the opinions of the imams are very moderate and hardly differ from those of other Dutch people.
"What is noticeable about the sermons of the imams is that a large majority represent a kind of moderate middle-of-the-road orthodoxy. Not extreme either one way or the other."
ORIENTATED TOWARDS NETHERLANDS
The study showed the imams are more orientated towards Netherlands as they come up with the same problems and solve them in the same way. They also use the same sources when they write their sermons. Mr Leemhuis cites an example in the shape of the book entitled: 'Gardens of the virtuous people'.
"A beautiful, pious collection of stories about the life of the prophet Mohammed which is also available in Dutch."
SAME VIRTUES
According to Mr Leemhuis the virtues that the Imams present to their audiences are the same as the ones that score high among other groups of Dutch people: respect, consideration, reliability and openness.
Two virtues stand out in their sermons: the necessity of good neighbourliness and showing respect towards others.
"Most imams say in their sermons and in interviews that the main thing is to be a good neighbour."
SHARED OPINIONS
Mr Leemhuis believes the shared opinions of Muslims and other Dutch people about virtuous behaviour provide a good opportunity for Dutch politics:
"If you want to promote the integration of Dutch Muslims and non-Muslims, you have to emphasise the things they have in common and things they can identify with." Imams in Dutch mosques usually preach the same virtues & values in their sermons commonly accepted by other Dutch people (which is... more -
Indian Muslim clerics to hold anti-terror rally despite 6 clerics threatened by te...
In the light of terror attacks in Jaipur (India), Muslim Ulemas and intellectuals will participate in a mass anti-terror rally in Delhi on May 31 despite the fact that 6 Muslim clerics being threatened by terrorists who claimed responsibility for the terrible terrorist attacks in Jaipur for raising their voice against terrorism.
Darul-uloom Vice Chancellor Moulana Ahmad Khazir Shah condemened terrorism and said:
"Islam is a religion of peace and to give it a bad name, unscrupulous elements are carrying acts of violence and bloodshed, which is highly regrettable."
Moulana, on a five-day visit to the Kashmir valley, told a gathering in his ancestral village of Anwarabad-Lolab in Kupwara asked Muslims community to isolate "those who try to give a bad name to Islam by their acts and speeches".
General Secretary of Ulema-e-Hind Altaf Ahmad Masoodi stressed on the inclusion of subjects like IT, computer science and science in madarsas to "broaden the horizons of upcoming students".
In Muzaffarnagar, deputy VC of Darul-uloom Moulana Kari Usman said that campaigns and rallies against anti-Islam activities would continue.
"Our stand against terrorism will not be affected by threats from terrorists," Usman told newsmen.
Recently Indian Muslim clerics have created a "Movement Against Terrorism". In the light of terror attacks in Jaipur (India), Muslim Ulemas and intellectuals will participate in a mass anti-terror rally in Delh... more -
Egyptian imam: "Islam rejects terrorism"
The grand imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo on monday said terrorism, aggression and injustice is rejected by the faith of Islam.The grand imam also said the curriculum at Al-Azhar University is based on tolerance and support for the rights of Muslims and people of other faiths.
On Monday a delegation from the U.S. Military Academy (who are visiting Egypt as part of a M. East tour) met with the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheik Mohamed Sayyed Tantawi, at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Tantawi in a statement said:
"Terrorists are criminals who have nothing to do with any religion as they violate the sanctity of human souls,"
This comes as Indian imams have recently created a "Movement Against Terrorism". The grand imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo on monday said terrorism, aggression and injustice is rejected by the faith of Islam.The grand ima... more -
J&K imams join hands to fight crime
SRINAGAR: Fight against crime has got a major boost after 200 members of Islamic clergy joined hands to fight against the evils which have plagued the conservative Kashmir society. They have met under the banner of Majlis-e-Ithaad-ul-Milat.
Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, president of Jamiat-e-Al Hadees said:
“We are witnessing a new wave of crime in Kashmir which was otherwise known as abode of saints. Drug addiction, rape, molestation, liquor consumption, suicides and social degradation are on the rise. There needs to be a movement against such crimes,”
The clergy have decided to hold seminars, deliver sermons in mosques and have a public contact programme to create awareness which could help in isolating the criminals in the society. “We do not have power to take direct action against the criminals. But we can help in bringing awareness through our religious sermons,” said Shah.
What have added an important dimension to the whole drive is the proposal by the grand mufti of Kashmir to revive the moholla committee which will keep an eye on criminals and help in eradicating the social evils. Mufti also said the parents too need to be sensitised about the growing drug addiction of students in schools.
However police had a guarded reaction to the proposals saying cooperation with them is welcome but making political statements of social problems is discouraged. SRINAGAR: Fight against crime has got a major boost after 200 members of Islamic clergy joined hands to fight against the evils which ... more
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