JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS
Monday 26 November 2012
Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, has highlighted the significance of dialogue with other cultures and religions, saying it is a good medium to spread the message of Islam.
“The Holy Qur’an, which is an eternal miracle, contains different forms of dialogue. So we can understand that dialogue is a method encouraged by God,” said Al-Sudais.
In a statement on the occasion of the opening of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in Vienna today, he said dialogue should be conducted wisely.
“The formation of this center in the West with King Abdullah’s support gives a strong message that Islam is a religion of dialogue and understanding and not a religion of enmity, fanaticism and violence,” he said.
“This is a historic event in cultural relations between the East and West,” Al-Sudais said, adding that the center would play an important role in narrowing differences between followers of different religions and cultures.
He said the Vienna center crowns King Abdullah’s interfaith dialogue initiative, which he announced four years ago. The participation of hundreds of prominent international personalities in the opening ceremony reflects the king’s global reputation, he added.
Speaking about the Vienna center, he said it would promote human values, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among people of different religious faiths and cultures.
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Austria, Saudi Arabia
We welcome the dialogue. Charity begins at home. Let us have some dialogue among the Muslims as well, between different sects. Let us have a Saudi Arabia, which is at least as open as Europe or USA.
Brother Zia is more diplomatic than me. Yes, we should ‘welcome this dialogue’ and ‘take active part’ (let’s forget the ‘challenge’ part I mentioned previously)…
This a great news, I hope they will brimg this in practice.
May God Almighty help them to understand each other.