TRIPOLI, November 25 (Mercy for Mankind) – As the
seventh general conference of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) is to open
here Friday, November 26, Dr. Mohamed El-Sharief, WICS Secretary-General spoke
to Mercy for Mankind Web site, shedding light on previous conferences,
preparations for this one and deliberations surrounding the choice of its theme.
"The first general conference was held in
September 1970 in Tripoli and was attended by representatives of Muslim
countries and a big number of intellectuals and thinkers. It resulted in the
establishment of the WICS.
"The second general conference was held 12
years later, after which general conferences have been held regularly, every
four years untill this seventh session."
Dr. El-Sharief added that the previous general
conference, the sixth, was held in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
The agenda of the seventh general conference, the
Secretary-General said it contains two major dimensions, the first is
administrative and the second is cultural and intellectual.
"The administrative and organizational
dimension includes discussing a number of reports. The first is that of the
Executive Committee of the WCIC on the Society's activities during the last four
years. Also a report on Islamic Call College, its branches and the WICS's
cultural activities will take a leading position on the agenda.
"Other reports include cooperation with international organizations,
activities of interfaith dialogue, as well as reports by members of the general
conference on Islamic, cultural and social work in their areas."
On the intellectual dimension and cultural debates
of the conference, Dr. El-Sharief said three papers are to be discussed. There
is an important paper entitled: "Last
Divine Message…Containing Past, Reading Future" by renowned
attorney Ibrahiem El-Ghowail.
"Another paper under the title: "Universality
of Message & Generalization of Mercy", and a third named:
"An
Evaluative Follow-up of the Society’s Action During Three Decades of
Contributions".
Theme and Slogan
Dr El-Sharief told Mercy for Mankind Web site that
long debates and discussions on the logo of the conference have taken place
during the phase of preparations.
"This year's slogan "Mercy for
Mankind" tackles two major issues. First is the concept of mercy in Islam
to address accusations of Islam being a religion of violence and condoning
terror. The second is the universality of Islam's message."
El-Sharief added that the discussions and
deliberations that were hold to decide on the conference's slogan and agenda,
had to bear in mind the current circumstances taking place in the world and
directly affecting the Muslim world.
"The slogan [Mercy for Mankind] is consistent
with our intellectual and religious beliefs in the WICS. The Noble Qur'an and
Prophetic tradition are our only basics, from which we move forward and tackle
all issues. We wanted that message to be clear by choosing a Qur'anic term as a
slogan for the conference."
He further dismissed claims that choosing
"mercy" as a slogan was meant to appeal to certain parties, insisting
"the WICS has its own course of action, stemming from its own agenda."
9/11 Effects
Responding a question concerning the impact that
the events of 9/11 in the United States might have had on the conference's
agenda, Dr. El-Sharief said the WICS was not affected for two main reasons.
"As I said, the WICS has its own course of
action, stemming from its own agenda. Besides, we have very limited activities
in North America and Europe. As for accusations labeled against Islam, we reject
and refuse them completely. Terror knows no religion.
"It is true these [9/11] events had negative
effects o Muslims. But I must stress here that there have been positive effects
as well. Big international institutions and organizations have become more
interested in Islam. Forums and conferences have been held and interfaith
dialogues have been stepped up."
Aid for All
On the topic of da`wah, Dr. El-Sharief explained
that the society calls on all humans to embrace Islam.
"But we never try to impose the call on any
one. We believe you could never force anyone to embrace a religion nor could buy
them into it through aid.
"Therefore, when we send out aid convoys to
people in distress, we never look at their IDs or look at their religion, race
or color. Our aid is for all humanity, to relieve some of its growing
pains."
Touching on the media coverage the WICS is
receiving that may not be on the level of its activities and contributions, Dr.
El-Sharief attributed that to the years of embargo on the host country hosting
the headquarters.
"This is changing now and we are getting a lot
of media attention. We are now moving in the field of direct media to publicize
the WICS activities through international organizations."
