RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (RNS) — Hundreds of Muslim leaders from around the world have endorsed Saudi King Abdullah's recent call for intensified interfaith dialogue in order to dampen global conflict and demonstrate Islam's commitment to solving world problems.
The declaration came on June 6 at the close of a three-day conference in Islam's holy city of Mecca to discuss Abdullah's surprise announcement in March that he wants to launch a new dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews.
The lengthy declaration affirmed dialogue as an Islamic value, and cited the need to refute those who promote “clash of civilization” theories and “claims that Islam is an enemy of contemporary civilization.”
“Needless to say … the world is facing numerous challenges that pose [a] threat mankind's future,” including “moral and social as well as environmental catastrophes,” the document said. “A profound dialogue aimed at exploring the human commonalities [among people of different faiths], is essential.”
Conference participant Nihad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based Council on American Islamic Relations, said there was a “realization … that people have to reach out and understand others in order to be understood …
“We can easily say these things in the West, but to have them being said in the Middle East is important.”
Abdullah's proposal drew headlines because Saudi Arabia's exclusivist version of Islam tends to view non-Muslims as “infidels” unworthy of engaging in dialogue. Non-Muslims cannot openly practice their faith in the kingdom.
His initiative, and this week's relatively quick follow-up, are widely seen as an effort to discredit extremist views and reverse Islam's image as a violent faith.
The June 6 declaration did not specifically mention Christians and Jews, referring instead to “followers of the previous divine messages.” (Muslims regard Judaism and Christianity as precursor religions to Islam.) It also urged dialogue with adherents of “man-made philosophies,” an apparent reference to Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs.
The estimated 500 conference participants from 50 countries said “a specialized team” should be formed to create an “international dialogue commission.” Topics for discussion should include “the phenomena and causes of terrorism,” “aggression against the environment” and “collapse of the established family system.”