Duty of religious clergy/scholars to clarify misinterpretation of Scriptures...

[Guest guest]

The following is an excerpt from an article entitled " There is no

escaping, Muslims are hurt by the traitors within " by Yasser Soliman

(immediate former president of the Islamic Council of Victoria and

managing director, Diversity Connect International) in the Sunday

Herald Sun, July 17, 2005 p.37 (www.sundayheraldsun.com.au).

 

It is also a message of hope that interfaith and intrafaith sharing

will help people from all religious traditions to have greater

understanding and acceptance of each other, just in the same way

that all the Incarnations and prophets of these various traditions

all had a common spiritual understanding:-

 

" There is no escaping that Muslims are hurting from the traitors

within. In these dangerous times, Muslim youth and converts need to

adopt a more cautious approach in their choices. Unquestionably, in

these times of insurgent fundamentalist religions, there is an

increase in toxic literature and brainwashing techniques

masquerading as religious edict.

 

These are the tools of extremists, they are not exclusive to Muslims

and there must be a serious attempt to identify all such hate

material.

 

Renowned Canadian scholar, Prof. Jamal Badawi said: " While religion

has been abused to justify senseless and unnecessary violence, it

can be constructively invoked to stem the tide of violence.

 

The common values of revealed religions, in particular, can

contribute immensely in that endeavour. It is the duty of religious

clergy and religious scholars to clarify these values and clarify

misinterpretations of scriptures, not only to others, but for their

own religious communities.

 

Intrafaith dialogue is needed as much as interfaith dialogue...

counteracting violence with more devastating violence enhances that

vicious cycle " .

 

In Melbourne last week, Prof. Badawi told a multi-faith audience

that the fact some horrible crimes are done " in the name of Islam

does not make it Islamic, just as things done in the name of

Christianity or Judaism are not necessarily Christian or Jewish " .

 

He concedes Muslims need to be " more involved in interfaith

activities and the struggle for human rights and freedoms " . He

acknowledged " we need to help non-Muslims better understand us. "

 

Being aware of the worst case scenario should not preclude us from

nurturing the many seeds of goodwill already planted in sometimes

fallow terrain. "