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TRIPOLI, November 27 (Mercy for Mankind) – The second evening
session of the second day of the seventh general conference of the
World Islamic Call Society (WICS) went underway Saturday, November
27, after Maghreb prayer.
The session came as a continuation of the first evening session
where the general rappoteur of the conference, Ibrahim Al-Ghowail,
presented a paper entitled; "The Seal of the Messages: Accommodating
the Past and Prospecting the Future".pvh
Mohamed El-Masry, president of the Muslim Council in Canada,
focused his comment on the issues of dealing with the other and the
current state of Islam and Muslims.
"All my points are related to addressing the other. First is most
people in the West do not know much about Islam, but they do not
know much about their own religion, either. We have to bear this in
mind. Most Westerners know little, if any at all, about Christianity
or Judaism."
The Second point El-Masry touched on was the comparison, being
held now, between the state of women in Muslim countries and that in
Western countries.
He insisted differences and life conditions must be taken into
consideration when holding such a comparison or any other one.
"Before 1930, only less than 30% only had the right to vote in
the United Kingdom. Women, blacks, peasants did not have that right
then, only big landlords did. The first woman to be Prime Minister
was not in a Western country, but in Sri Lanka.
"Only in 1924, the American woman made her way into the Senate,
and only in 1982 – Yes, 1982 – the Senate had its first black woman
member."
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Guests prayed Maghreb during the interval |
El-Masry concluded this point saying: "Islam needs no defense; it
is a world religion... It makes me sad to see Muslims saying that
Islam does not encourage terrorism, especially after the events of
9/11. Of course, it does not! Muslims do need to be defended, but
not Islam.
He then moved to the point of Muslim communities in the West,
saying that "Assimilation and isolation are both rejected and
dismissed," adding what Muslims really need is "positive
integration".
Abu Zeid Al-Idrissy, a Moroccan MP and a university professor, in
his remarks, highlighted the universality of Islam, citing the Noble
Qur'an.
He also urged Muslims to cooperate with Moroccans to prevent the
convention of "Forum Future" – slated for December 12, to discuss
the Plan of Greater Middle East.
Other remarks by speakers from Romania, Italy, and other
delegates, also highlighted the universality of Islam, importance of
reaching out to others and the urgent need to present the true image
of Islam.
Some speakers also highlighted the misgivings by some Muslims
that are used to label accusations against Muslims in general and
even Islam as a religion.
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