Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 44 ] — INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE FOR PEACE — inevitable, and that Islamdoes not askMuslims to be isolated fromothers but to coexist with others and partake in dialogue with opponents. This does not mean that one should display a negative attitude in the face of good values and behaviour. A negative attitude may have consequences within the com- munity which, if spread, like fire, may extend further. The Prophet, peace be upon him, warned of this trend in when he said; “The likeness of the man who observes the limits prescribed by Allah, and that of the man who transgresses them, is that of people who board a ship after casting lots. Some of them arrive on its lower deck and some of them on its upper. Those who, on the lower deck, require water, go to the occupants of the upper deck and say to them: ‘If we make a hole in the bottomof the ship, we shall not harm you.’ Now, if the occupants of the upper deck leave them to carry out their design they will all be drowned. But if they do not let them go ahead with their plan, all of themwill remain safe”. 12 I wish this honourable gathering success in promoting and supporting informed dialogue among followers of reli- gions, for the peace of all humankind. here is no doubt that the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism found in the Arab world, and which has spread in many other countries, has become a global threat to the relations of nations and their peoples, and to their continuity and coexistence in their respective societies and countries. Often, there are cultural aspects that align with the religious fanaticism of extremist groups who try to exploit religion to incite enmity and hatred between follow- ers of different religions and cultures. Terrorism is the act of groups, parties and governments that do not represent religions or communities. They are groups outside international and Sharia law, with their criminal and aggressive actions, and are outside the values and beliefs of their own people. They represent only them- selves and their followers with their brutal acts aimed at power, domination, and coercion. Organised terrorism, and the groups and countries that support it, pose the biggest threat to the stability and sustainability of our countries and societies. Organised ter- rorism is based on a false cultural background that exploits by mobilising its followers in the name of religion. Therefore, it is not enough to rely on military means to confront it. This dangerous and evil disease obliterates the moderation professed by religious scholars and intellectuals of all sects and religions, who are working to spread the discourse of tolerance and openness in order that it becomes common- place throughout each community. The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) in Vienna has been one of the institutions at the forefront of working to promote a culture of dialogue and peace among different HE Sayed Ali El-Amine T There is no doubt that the meetings of religious leaders and thinkers from different religions and cultures have contributed to spreading the culture of moderation and dialogue HE Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine His Excellency has served as Grand Mufti of Jerusalem since July 2006. Prior to becoming Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Hussein was the manager and imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the highest religious official in the Palestinian Authority.