Muslim leader denounces religious extremism

From Ekklesia - 01/06/06

The Grand Imam of the al-Azhar in Cairo has denounced religious extremism and is encouraging Muslims to enter into active conversation and cooperation with Christians, according to the Straits Times. In a speech to Malay Muslim leaders in Singapore last week, Sheik Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, who is also a partner in the Anglican Communion’s global Anglican-Muslim dialogue, condemned religious violence and terror as “evil”. Declared the Sheikh: “[Islam] should lead us away from blind fanaticism and hatred because [it] considers all human beings to have come from one mother and father.” He added that the “hand of peace” should be extended to other faiths when they were under attack.

The Rt Rev Dr Mouneer Anis, Anglican Bishop of Egypt, has warmly welcomed the Grand Imam’s contribution. He told the Church of England Newspaper this week that it reiterates a long-standing position of the al-Azhar, which calls “Sunni Muslims in Egypt to be moderate and peace-loving.” Dr Tantawi also said that he was “concerned about the western attitude that recently insulted both Prophet Muhammed, through the cartoons, and Jesus Christ, through The Da Vinci Code.” This is likely to ring alarm bells with those who are concerned that elements in each of the world faiths are encouraging each other to seek more restrictions on those who would criticise or mock beliefs they disagree with.

However it is reported that the Muslim leaders is willing to meet Pope Benedict and Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, and that he favours a joint communiqué calling both for respect for religion and freedom of expression. Advocates of pluralism and secularity both within and beyond faith communities say that peaceful co-existence among the religions, which is a positive force, should not be used to reinforce further dangerous moves towards censorship in civil society.