Muslim scholars pitch for peaceful co-existence
Council of Elders discuss efforts to confront terrorism
jakarta — Combating extremism is what is needed for peaceful coexistence among nations, according to a council of Muslim scholars.
The UAE-based Muslim Council of Elders is holding its seventh meeting at the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to “discuss efforts in confronting terrorism and to get updates from peace envoys who were sent to various countries to promote tolerant Islam.”
Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, secretary-general of the council, said the meeting was personally requested by Indonesian President Joko Widodo following last month’s spate of bombings in Jakarta. Daesh has claimed responsibility of the attack in the country’s capital that killed 8 and injured 23 people.
The delegation of Muslim scholars also included Dr. Ahmad Al Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Muslim world.
President Widodo welcomed the Grand Imam and members of Muslim Council of Elders at Istana Merdeka (presidential palace) on Monday and praised them for their efforts in “spreading Islamic understanding and promoting peaceful co-existence.”
Widodo thanked the Grand Imam for his visit and “his ceaseless” support to Indonesian students who are studying at Al Azhar University in Cairo.
Widodo said: “The (Indonesian) graduates who returned home are the best ambassadors of Al Azhar in Indonesia who spread the righteous religion, and enlighten the people on the risks of extremism and terrorism.”
Dubai Grand Mufti Dr. Ahmed Al Haddad said: “The Council meeting provides an impetus to Indonesian religious authorities and scholars in their crusade to ward off extremist influence.” For his part, Al Tayyeb underlined the “big role being taken by the Muslim Council
The Council meeting provides an impetus to Indonesian religious authorities and scholars in their crusade to ward off extremist influence.” Dr. Ahmed Al Haddad Dubai Grand Mufti
of Elders in laying the foundations of harmony, love and peaceful coexistence among the nations.”
“The Council carries a message of peace to the whole world, by spreading the culture of moderation and combating extremism and terrorism,” he added.
“Muslim elders and scholars have a key role to play in protecting the youth of the Islamic nation and enlightening them on the risks of falling prey under the claws of terror groups,” he added.
Al Tayyeb also paid tribute to Indonesia on its efforts in “preserving its Islamic identity.”
The Grand Imam also announced the increase in the number of scholarships to be awarded to Indonesian students in the coming months “as a token of honour to the Indonesian president and the people of Indonesia.”
Meanwhile, Al Tayyeb and MCE members will visit the Islamic University of Indonesia and Al Azhar University of Indonesia and will also meet with Indonesian Vice-President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla today.
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country with 95 per cent of its 206 million people being Muslims. Currently, there
Muslim elders and scholars have a key role to play in protecting the youth of the Islamic nation and enlightening them on the risks of falling prey under the claws of terror groups.” Dr. Ahmad Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar
are currently around 3,500 Indonesian students at Al Azhar. The university has also produced alumni who contributed in the Indonesian struggle for independence from the Dutch and Egypt was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of Indonesia in 1945.