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The International Council of Islamic
Call which plans and supervises programs for the International Islamic
Call society has decided to organize an expanded culture and
intellectual symposium under the motto of “ that ye may know each
other” in its fourteenth session . This symposium - has been
envisaged, based on the understanding that Allah’s wisdom has willed
that people should be of diverse tribes, nations , races and colours
and on the feeling that Allah has honored and entrusted man with his
vice regency on earth to reform it and not sow corruption in it as
well as on sensing the danger of seditions conflicts and wars which
threaten the security and stability of our human community at large
.The symposium is also held as a response to those voices which have
emerged here and there theorizing the clash of civilizations and
cultures .
This symposium was convened in
Tripoli in the period between 20-22 September 2003.
It was attended
by representatives of 130 Christian and Islamic organizations from
different parts of the world, a number of regional and international
organizations , top religious delegates from Western and Eastern
churches , a group of scholars, thinkers, researchers media men and
people concerned with dialougeue issues. The participants of this
symposium have studied a number of papers and interventions which
dealt with the concept of TA’ARUF as being an outcome of
constructive dialougeue that consolidates reciprocal respect, rejects
oppression, resists tyranny on earth and establishes a mutual
relationship between and among peoples and nations on the basis of
equality which has been emphasized by Divine laws and International
covenants . Furthermore, the delegates have made a proclamation
entitled “Tripoli’s Proclamation for TA”ARUF” as follows:
“Tripoli
Proclamation For TA”ARUF”
We, the participants
in this dialouge-based intellectual symposium held and supervised by
the International Islamic Call Society and its International Council
have examined the current state of affairs of our world which is
threatened by dangers due to people’s non-compliance with and
deviations from Devine laws and the mission of prophets and reformers
as well as due to the decline of values and morals in life and the
emergence of aspects of injustice among nations and individuals. This
examination of such situation is aimed at addressing this proclamation
to all forces of good and right in our world for the sake of a better
future for our generation and a more secure and peaceful world for our
communities.
Our proclamation is
based on the following principles:
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Linguistic , cultural , ethnic and religious diversity among
people and communities is but a miracle of Allah and an expression
of Divine Will in making people different in order to get to know
each other and compete among themselves in populating the world .
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Man’s
integrity and freedom is a basic principle in all religions and
beliefs .
-
The
violation of such integrity by any means or restricting such
freedom for any justification will contradict with such principle
and come into clash with God’s will which has honoured man and
made him His vice regent on earth
-
Distinction and preference between human beings on the basis of
religion , race of colour is deemed as racism which is prohibited
by every religion and law . The adoption of any form of such
racism under any circumstances is a contradiction against all
values, moral, laws and beliefs.
-
The
generalization of judgments and the adoption of collective
punishment is a grave injustice as this accuses the innocent with
the offence of others, broadens the circle of oppression,
endangers our communities and opens the door for counter-violence.
-
TA’Aruf and dialouge between and among people is the only way
for solving the problems of our world in a just way -resorting to
force in dealing with such problems is a reminiscent of images of
the tragic wars witnessed by our world against which we should all
stand together.
-
Extremism, fanaticism and terrorism are means rejected by religion
and sensible natural instinct because they lead the human
community to conflicts and clashes which affect human civilization
so negatively that an international cooperation is deemed
necessary to deal with their causes and resist them collectively.
-
Self-defence is a right necessitated by instinct and acknowledged
and secured by religions, customs and covenants. Mixing up
self-defence with terrorism and extremism contributes in promoting
oppression and antagonism as well as it distorts facts and
reverses standards.
Recommendations:
To realize such
principles in reality the participants have recommended the
following:
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Asserting the
adherence to the culture of TA’ARUF between people on the basis of
Christian and Islamic spiritual values and the exalted human
principles which are in accordance with the rule of respecting man
whom God has honoured and made His vice regent on earth.
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Working towards
highlighting the common moral values which are called for by Islam
and Christianity in rejecting violence and extremism renouncing
collective accusation conviction and punishment and condemning all
aspects of political differences and conflicts. Also asserting the
fact that ignoring other person contradicts with those religious
values which constitute a fundamental pillar of the faith in
heavenly religious exploitation both religions: Islam and
Christianity.
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Working towards
orwards maintaining the website “that ye may know each other”
established by the Society specifically for this symposium as well
as developing it to be a permanent meeting site for its subscribers
and other advocate of dialogue in order to spread the concept of
TA’ARUF and transform it from being restricted to intellectual
elites into a common language among nations.
-
Organizing youth
meetings between Muslims and Christians to realize direct TA”ARUF
among them either in camps or summer camps which provide them with
possibilities of TA’ARUF to correct any negative stereotypical
images in their minds about others and hence enable them to form
reciprocal objective positive images.
-
Addressing the
new generation who are the victims of misguiding information
campaigns through conducting cultural and information campaign
focusing on the high moral principles and values in both Islam and
Christianity which prohibit aggression against the life of any
individual and the violation of his rights including in particular
his right to practice freely his religious rites .
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Publishing a
periodical containing a review of all the activities performed by
Christian and Islamic societies, organizations and institutions
within the framework of dialogue and TA’ARUF through which
information is exchanged and activities are coordinated.
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Appealing to
every one specially writers, media men and politicians to avoid the
use of antagonistic or hostile expressions and terms which include
unfair implied accusations against others or attack their beliefs.
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Abiding by the
principles of dialouge culture amicably and considering dialouge as
being the only means for achieving TA”ARUF between people as well
as introducing the components of such cultures in our social and
educational institutions .
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The necessity
of distinguishing between political positions of some of the Western
governments and the Christian faith as well as distinguishing
between terrorism and the Islamic faith as there are false
accusations and quite an injustice in both situations .
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The symposium
supports the establishment of a permanent council for
inter-religious dialouge within the framework of the United Nations
in order to enhance the principles for ‘TA”ARUF” between
people and help establish the values of right and peace in the
world.
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Documenting,
collecting and translating the agenda, researches and interventions
of this symposium respectively for wider propagation of the culture
of dialouge.
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The
participants extend their thanks and appreciation to the
International Islamic Call Society and its World Council for
organizing this meeting and the arrangements leading to its success.
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