Muslim leaders urge a just and peaceful world culture<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
At least 150 Muslim leaders and scholars from across the world
\nwho had gathered in Jakarta on Saturday, demanded justice for all
\nthe world's diverse communities and urged Islamic nations and
\nothers to end global conflicts and recover peace.<\/p>\n
Justice was the most important factor in eradicating
\nterrorism, they said in a joint declaration issued after their
\ntwo-day summit titled Islam and a Future World of Peace.<\/p>\n
"The implementation of justice for and by Muslims will be the
\nsingle most important factor in the elimination of violence," the
\ndeclaration said.<\/p>\n
The summit, attended by representatives from 50 countries
\nacross the world, was held to counter misperceptions of Islam
\nfollowing September's terrorist attacks on the United States.<\/p>\n
Those present at the forum included former Indonesian
\npresident Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid of Indonesia's Nahdlatul
\nUlama (NU), Akbar Muhammad of the U.S.-based-Nation of Islam,
\nShakyh Ahmad Tigani Ben Omar of the U.S.-based Universal Islamic
\nCenter, M. Manzoor Alam of India's Institute of Objective
\nStudies, and Muntaz Ahmad of the Hampton University.<\/p>\n
The declaration also stressed the need for Muslim nations and
\nother communities throughout the world to work together to find
\nthe best solutions to resolving global conflicts.<\/p>\n
They should also be consistently committed to promoting
\njustice, freedom and human rights, it said.<\/p>\n
Manzoor Alam said all followers of different religions should
\nwork together to fight against injustice, an enemy of peace and a
\nparasite to any democratic society.<\/p>\n
"We should work together to create a more just world system as
\nit will be the most important thing to create a more peaceful
\nworld," Alam told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the
\nsummit.<\/p>\n
Muntaz Ahmad said the creation of peace could not be separated
\nfrom global efforts to address various world problems, such as
\npoverty and backwardness arising from widespread injustice across
\nthe globe.<\/p>\n
"We must take into consideration the victims of injustice,"
\nsaid Ahmad, adding that many Muslims in the world had become
\nvictims of the world's unjust system.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, who hosted the forum, said many participants wanted
\nthe summit followed with several other meetings to discuss
\nconcrete measures for unresolved problems.<\/p>\n
Some Muslim leaders also proposed a new Islamic organization
\naimed at exchanging views among Muslim nations and discussing
\ntheir contributions to the world.<\/p>\n
Highlights of the declaration<\/p>\n
1. Religion and Spirituality
\n * The message of Islam aims to produce peace and prosperity,
\npromote love, forgiveness, and create a humane society.
\n * Islam rejects violence in any forms against the innocent.
\n * Muslim leaders and scholars are responsible for the promotion
\nof peace and harmony.<\/p>\n
2. Civic Responsibility in Political Society
\n * Muslim nations must devote their energies toward education and
\nimprovement of economic opportunities for their people.
\n * In any system of government the protection of the freedom and
\nrights of its citizens is paramount.<\/p>\n
3. Interfaith, Intercultural and International Relations
\n * Dialog toward harmony and understanding is a Muslim
\nresponsibility.
\n * Intellectual and spiritual leaders are obliged to establish
\nenduring structures of dialog to prevent conflict among followers
\nof different religions.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/muslim-leaders-urge-a-just-and-peaceful-world-culture-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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