Use religion to promote message of peace and tolerance, say scholars
abu dhabi — An inter-religion workshop held in Abu Dhabi has put the onus on spiritual leaders to put aside differences and promote love, peace and tolerance among societies across the world.
Religious scholars made the call for peace during the opening of a three-day workshop in the Capital on Tuesday.
The meeting is part of the ‘American Peace Convoy’ that promotes the message of peace through trust building and mutual cooperation between the Abrahamic religions as per the guidance of the historic Marrakesh Declaration.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, president of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, said: “All holy books, including the Quran, the Bible and others have verses teaching about importance of love, peace, forgiveness and the respect for humanity.”
“We should come together and promote these important values among our people to promote peace over violence. These meetings confirm that the time has come to engage in sincere work to implement human values, which have long been ignored, and hence resulted in destructive wars and increased hostilities,” added Sheikh Bin Bayyah.
Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, director general of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments in UAE, said: “The UAE has always been at the forefront in promoting and encouraging peace, love, tolerance, moderation and coexistence among its people and also globally. These are the values of our nation and the values of the Islamic religion.
The UAE has always been at the forefront in promoting and encouraging peace, love, tolerance, moderation and coexistence among its people and also globally.” Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, official, General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
“Spreading the message of peace and tolerance should be the duty of everyone. All religions must promote these values among people, societies to create peace in the world. Religious leaders should preach against hatred and racism.”
Al Kaabi, who is also the secretary general of the Forum for Peace in the UAE, said hatred promotes the culture of isolation that leads to racism, violence and disharmony between factions of society, and discord between nations, religions, cultures and civilisations.
“The UAE has taken measures and decisions which safeguard against all negative factors that can
The time has come to engage in sincere work to implement human values, which have long been ignored, and hence resulted in increased hostilities.”
Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, president, Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies
lead to terrorism, extremism, infighting and discrimination through issuing strong laws,” said Al Kaabi.
He said there over 200 different nationalities, races and religious faiths in the UAE; yet they actively join their efforts to achieve goals in building the nation and serving the community as well as promoting happiness among people.
Rabbi Bruce Lustig, senior rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation, said: “We should always choose peace and love over hatred. Religion should be used to create love, peace and tolerance but not hatred and discrimination. Societies need reconciliation and tolerance.”