First World Congress for Imams and Rabbis for Peace

[LalaMimi]

From January 3 to 6, 2005, 50 Imams and 50 Rabbis will come together from around the globe in the largest peace effort of its kind. They will meet in Ifrane at the University Al Akhawayn under the High Patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI.





During this 3-day meeting, the highest Jewish and Muslim representatives will seek concrete solutions to put an end to violence and ignorance in the Middle East and around the world.


“If it becomes possible for the huge majority of Jewish and Muslim leaders to state to the world a position of unity, this will allow the people of both sides to imagine at last a different future,” said Alain Michel, founder of the Swiss-based foundation Hommes de Parole that is organizing the event with the help of the Rabat-based Islamic educational and Scientific organization (ISESCO) and other organizations.


“Religious ministers have the power to start war; they also have the power to initiate peace,” he added.





The conference hopes to create a dialogue for the expression of peace and unity and far-reaching and durable partnerships between Islam and Judaism. In this context it hopes to gain the attention of media worldwide.


“The extremists, although a tiny minority, through their actions and statements, thanks to the media, take centre stage and destabilise public opinion,” said Michel. From this congress, “the principles of peace, on which religions are founded, will be able to be affirmed in the media.”


The discussion will also allow the religious leaders to contribute to discovering peaceful solutions to conflicts and foster the development of concrete actions in the field, said Michel.


“Today, peace will only be achieved with the support of the people,” he added.


All the debates will be held into four languages: Arab, English, French and Hebrew


Morocco is being touted as an ideal host country for the meeting. It is “the only Arab and Muslim country where Islam is the state's religion and which guarantees constitutionally the free exercise of all religions,” reminds Michel.


Another reason cited was the role that the late King Mohammed V, grandfather of King Mohammed VI played in the protection of the Jewish community, who lived in harmony in Morocco for generations.


“In Morocco significant cultural exchanges have existed for centuries, particularly those tied to the expressions of the Judeo-Muslim cultural dialogue. One recalls particularly the figure of King Muhammad V held in the positive rapport he had with the Jewish people, whom he protected during the Second World War,” said Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein, general director of the Elijah Institute for Inter-faith dialogue.


Participants in the congress will hail from countries as far reaching as Rwanda, Singapore, the Palestinian Territories and Israel, Canada, Spain and Russia and Senegal, to name just a few.


Aside from the presence of some of the most influential leaders of both traditions, well-known specialists such as Nobel Peace Price laureate Shirin Ebadi and Nelson Mandela will attend the congress. His Majesty the King Mohammed VI will lead the inaugural the ceremony on the first morning of the congress.

Interesting article. Thank you for sharing it with us. That's a great idea, getting both sides to work out their differences.

[-thetruth]

Thanks
That's so beautiful. funny u mentioned that because Moroccan jews and their muslims brothers were so cool with each others and religion was never an obstacle.

Originally posted by -thetruth
Thanks
That's so beautiful. funny u mentioned that because Moroccan jews and their muslims brothers were so cool with each others and religion was never an obstacle.

LOL @ Moroccan jews and their muslims brothers

[-thetruth]

yes brov

I had so many Moroccan jews as friends and we used to sit and say together hamdolilah.
they too believe in Allah mind you and they are no difference to the so called muslims you see.
In the Quran Allah(SWT) gives examples of what the jews used to do and what the christians used to say and says the same thing about the muslims. anyone who follow their pleasures instead of the true book is at fault and makes no difference whether you are a jew/muslim/christian or an atheist. being Muslim simply means subbmitting to ONE GOD. and being muslim does not guarentee heaven either.
Jesus(pbuh) says that he can not tell who will enter his father's kingdom

[LalaMimi]

Many Sepharidic and Berber Jews have gratitude toward Morocco, such as when King Mo V saved them from the Nazis... with his *there are no Jews in Morocco, only Moroccan citizens* statement... (or something like that)

but if you look up Morocco on Jewish archives, such as the Jewish virtual library - you will find they call Morocco quite an anti-Semitic country, though more tolerant of Jews and having a good relationship with Israel, in comparison to other predominant Muslim countries... because of special Moroccan protectorate and the Moroccan Jews who have gone to Israel to live.

Anyhow the above event stated, is a hopeful one in increasing interfaith understanding and tolerance, which is desperately needed... even better that it was hosted in our Homeland.

I think Morocco is doing a good job in promoting such peace...

[-thetruth]

the problem is not religion and it;s never been a case. people confuse Zionists with the jews that is wrong because the Nazies were also christians and still did evil and the same with the Arab muslim dictators who killed their own muslims people. people confuse religion with politicts.our prophet(pbuh) had many peace treaties and the results were great. what the two parties must do is leave diffrences aside and do things for God for a change and then God would help them. peace is what matter and no matter what it takes it has to be done there is no formulate other than frank dialogue. Didn't Allah(SWT) say it in the Quarn that when dealing with the people of the book to leave differences and worship Him ?and also said:
060.008 Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.
What people think it's that just by being muslim or jewish that your enemy is attaking your religion wrong the war is about land not religion.
but some of the jews and muslims take different views and go out doing evil things.
Allah said to the jews"
This is the grace of Allah; He bestows it to whomsoever He pleases. And Allah is the Owner of immense grace.


The example of those who were put up with Tourat, then they did not follow its mandate is like an *** carrying books on back. What an evil example is of those who belied the signs of Allah. And Allah Guides not the people unjust.


Say you, 'O Jews! If you imagine; that you are the friends of Allah to the exclusion of others, then long for death, if you are truthful'?

But they will never long for it, because of the deeds which their hands have already sent forward. And Allah knows the unjust people.

Say you, 'the death from which you flee, is certainly going to meet you, then will you be returned to Him Who knows everything hidden and open and He will inform you as to what you had done. "
and said to the muslims hypocrits:
"""And some people say, 'We have believed in Allah and the Last Day' yet they are not to believe.

They seek to deceive Allah and the believers, and in fact, they deceive not but their own souls, and they perceive not.

In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease and for them is a painful torment, the recompense of their lies.

And when it is said to them, create not disorder on the earth, they say, 'we are but reformats'."""""

see what the muslims did for the jews and what the jews used to say about Muslims.
http://soundvision.com/Info/politics/jewhistory.asp