U.N. Interfaith Dialogue Conference

A Google Alert drew my attention to an Arab News article about an interfaith dialogue conference to be held at the U.N. November 12, 2008. The Conference is to be attended by about thirty world leaders. Leaders of 192 member states were invited.  The objective is strengthening peace through interfaith dialogue.  This conference results from a recommendation of the World Dialogue Conference held in July.

The Arab News article quotes King Abdullah as saying:

“It is regrettable that some of our sons have been tempted by Satan or the brothers of Satan,” […] “Nothing can purify (Islam’s reputation) except for the extension of Muslims’ hands to their brothers in other religions.”

The article indicates that those remarks relate to Muslim terrorists.  He appears to imply that terrorism is a satanic, not a divine function and that it has sullied Islam’s reputation.

Our best clues about what to anticipate from the conference to be held Nov. 12 in New York come from King Abdullah’s opening remarks at the Madrid Conference and its official statement. The Saudi-US Relations Information Service provided the details.

From King Abdullah’s opening remarks at the Madrid Conference.

From the land of Revelation and land of Message, I welcome you with warmest greetings, beseeching Almighty Allah to give us the unrelenting determination, a power not afflicted by weakness and makes us from those whom Allah said about them:

“Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!”
(41: 34)

King Abdullah is praying for determination & power to persuade us to revert to Islam by proving that it is better than Christianity. Surah 41 was number 61  in order of revelation; Surah 8 is number 87 and Surah 9 is 113. Since the more violent surahs were revealed later, they abrogate their more tolerant predecessors. Persuasion was replaced by conquest [8:39,  9:29].

Dear Brothers:

You gathered today to say to the world around us, with confidence which Allah bestowed upon us. We are the voice of justice and human moral values, and we are the voice of rational and just coexistence and dialogue, the voice of wisdom and admonition, and argumentation with the best way possible. As Allah says:

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” (16:125)

God willing we will do so.

In the next verse, Allah offers an alternative to dialogue.

16:126. And if you punish (your enemy, O you believers in the Oneness of Allâh), then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.) .

Dear Brothers:

How great this nation is, how difficult the challenges it faces in a time where its enemies – extremists from its sons and others – join forces to change its fair approach. They are gathered with blatant aggressiveness to target the tolerance, justice and noble purposes of Islam.

King Abdullah describes Islam as tolerant, just and noble of purpose.  Is Islam tolerant?

• 3:85. And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.
• 98:6. Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur’ân and Prophet Muhammad  from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.
• 9:30. And the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allâh, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allâh. That is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allâh’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth!

Is Islam’s purpose noble or is it mercenary?

• 8:1. They ask you (O Muhammad) about the spoils of war. Say: “The spoils are for Allâh and the Messenger.” So fear Allâh and adjust all matters of difference among you, and obey Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad), if you are believers.
• 8:41. And know that whatever of war-booty that you may gain, verily one-fifth (1/5th) of it is assigned to Allâh, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives [of the Messenger (Muhammad)], (and also) the orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor) and the wayfarer, if you have believed in Allâh and in that which We sent down to Our slave (Muhammad) on the Day of criterion (between right and wrong), the Day when the two forces met (the battle of Badr) – And Allâh is Able to do all things.
• 8:67. It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world (i.e. the money of ransom for freeing the captives), but Allâh desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
• 48:20. Allâh has promised you abundant spoils that you will capture, and He has hastened for you this, and He has restrained the hands of men from you, that it may be a sign for the believers, and that He may guide you to a Straight Path.
• Muslim Book 019, Number 4327:

The spoils of war were not made lawful for any people before us, This is because Allah saw our weakness and humility and made them lawful for us.

For this reason, this invitation from your brother is to counter challenges of rigidity, ignorance, narrow-mindedness, and to make the world accommodate the concepts and the prospects of the kind message of Islam without enmity and antagonism.

Take a close look at that statement. Did you miss this? “to make the world accommodate the concepts and the prospects of the kind message of Islam without enmity and antagonism“.  In plain language, he means to deceive, disarm and confuse us as Islam conquers the entire world.

Dear Brothers:

Islam will remain fortified by the will of Allah Almighty and then with the conscience of Muslim scholars, thinkers and his followers.

Islam’s greatness founded the concepts of dialogue, and sets its milestones which are reflected in Allah saying: “Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee.” (3: 159)

Caution: deception in progress! Allah’s slave has quoted his Master out of context.

3:156. O you who believe! Be not like those who disbelieve (hypocrites) and who say to their brethren when they travel through the earth or go out to fight: “If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed,” so that Allâh may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. It is Allâh that gives life and causes death. And Allâh is All­Seer of what you do.

3:157. And if you are killed or die in the Way of Allâh, forgiveness and mercy from Allâh are far better than all that they amass (of worldly wealths, etc.).

3:158. And whether you die, or are killed, verily, unto Allâh you shall be gathered.

3:159. And by the Mercy of Allâh, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh­hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allâh’s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allâh, certainly, Allâh loves those who put their trust (in Him).

3:160. If Allâh helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allâh (Alone) let believers put their trust.

Muhammad dealt gently with hypocrites who shirked Jihad, not with disbelievers.

Our hearts are full – praise to Allah – by faith, tolerance and love, which Allah, the Creator, ordered us to obtain.

Yes, dear brother, the way to the others is through shared values advocated by the divine messages, which were revealed by Allah the Almighty for the benefit of humanity to preserve their dignity and promote the ethical values and dealings which certainly are not in conformity with deception.

Ah, yes, how Islam preserves our dignity.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Number 387:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah’s Apostle said, “I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.’ And if they say so, pray like our prayers, face our Qibla and slaughter as we slaughter, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally and their reckoning will be with Allah.” Narrated Maimun ibn Siyah that he asked Anas bin Malik, “O Abu Hamza! What makes the life and property of a person sacred?” He replied, “Whoever says, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’, faces our Qibla during the prayers, prays like us and eats our slaughtered animal, then he is a Muslim, and has got the same rights and obligations as other Muslims have.”

Our lives are not sacred to Muslims until we become Muslim. So much for dignity.

These values reject treason, alienate crime, combat terrorism, and despise lying. They lay the bases for good morals, honesty, truthfulness, justice, and enhance the concepts of family values and its cohesion and ethics, which are slowly diminishing at present and disintegrating ties, and where human beings are distancing themselves from their Lord and the teachings of their religion.

Islam’s values combat terrorism? Lets see how they combat it.

• 3:151. We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allâh, for which He had sent no authority; their abode will be the Fire and how evil is the abode of the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong­doers).
• 8:12. (Remember) when your Lord inspired the angels, “Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes.“
• 33.26. And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allâh brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives.
• Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220:
  Narrated Abu Huraira:

  Allah’s Apostle said, “I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy),[…]

Dear Brothers:

From the vicinity of the Holy Mosque of Makkah, we begin with the will of Allah. From there, we will move in our dialogue with the others in confidence derived from our faith in Allah and then from knowledge sought from our tolerant religion. We will argue in ways that are best, what we agree upon we accept it in our hearts and what we disagree about we refer to the Sublime saying: “To you be your way, and to me mine.” (109:6)

Surah 109 was number 18 in order of sequence of revelation; it is abrogated by Surah 9, which was revealed after Muhammad had amassed an army and was prepared to launch his conquests.

From http://www.saudi-us-relations.org/articles/2008/special-reports/080719-madrid-conference.html
Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of the MWL, spoke about the meeting at a press conference.

“The problem is created by the behavior and practices of their followers,”

It can’t be possible that terrorism flows from Allah’s word: 3:151, 8:12 & 33:26 cited above. It can’t be possible that Jihad conquests flow from Allah’s clear commands to fight, of course not; must be Satan’s temptations. Or is it poverty, ignorance & repression?

• 8:39. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allâh) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allâh Alone [in the whole of the world ]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allâh), then certainly, Allâh is All-Seer of what they do.
• 9:29. Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allâh and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

Visit the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Qur’an and read the footnote to 2:190. What are the benefits of Jihad? What are the consequences when it is abandoned? While you are there, read all of Surahs 8 & 9. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was rabble rousing & warmongering like Adolf Hitler.

At the conclusion of the Madrid Conference,  a statement was issued, setting fourth a list of ten principles. A few of them warrant critical examination.

1. Unity of humankind in the original creation and the equality among human beings irrespective of their colors, ethnic backgrounds and cultures.

The problem with that is that Islamic tradition holds Arabs superior to all other people and the Quraysh are be best of tribes.

4. The heavenly messages aim at realizing the obedience of people to their Creator and achieving happiness, justice, security and peace for humankind. These messages seek to enhance ways of understanding and cooperation among people despite differences in their origins, colors and languages. They also call for spreading virtue through wisdom and politeness, and rejecting extremism and terrorism.

Yes, Allah and his Messenger rejected extremism & terrorism, of course they did. So where do Surahs
Al-Anfal & Al-Taubah  come from?

5. Respecting heavenly religions, preserving their high status, condemning any insult to their symbols, and combating the exploitation of religion in the instigation of racial discrimination.

This is an obvious reference to the pending General Assembly resolution condemning “defamation of religions”. It is an overt attempt to impose Islam’s blasphemy law upon Kuffar.

6. Observing peace, honoring agreements and respecting unique traditions of peoples and their right to security, freedom and self-determination are the basis for building good relations among all people. Achieving this is a major objective of all religions and prominent cultures.

As Muhammad honored the treaty of Hudaibiya, breaking it after three years? As our rights to security and freedom are honored by 8:39 & 9:29?

7. The significance of religion and moral values and the need for humans to revert to their Creator in their fight against crime, corruption, drugs, and terrorism, and in preserving the institution of the family and protecting societies from deviant behaviors.

“Revert to their Creator” is an obvious reference to embracing Islam:  we are being told that only reverting to Islam will solve the listed problems.  There is no dialogue, the conversation is one way, as is that of the Ulema’s missive to Pope Benedict.  The bottom line: “Embrace Islam and you will be safe.” That is what Muhammad said in his extortion letters dispatched to various tribes & kingdoms before he invaded them.

The conference noted that terrorism is one of the most serious obstacles confronting dialogue and coexistence.

Terrorism is a universal phenomenon that requires unified international efforts to combat it in a serious, responsible and just way. This demands an international agreement on defining terrorism, addressing its root causes and achieving justice and stability in the world.

How is terrorism to be defined?  It must certainly include any and all attacks against Muslims, but it can not include attacks upon Jews. Why is that?  Because terrorism is an attack on innocent civilians and rebels against Allah are not innocent.  Attacks upon Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Sabeans, Pagans & Atheists are commanded by Allah. Those commands are reflected in Sharia. Turn to Reliance of the Traveler and read Book O, Chapter 9.

Based on the above, the conference has adopted the following recommendations:

• To reject theories that call for the clash of civilizations and cultures and to warn of the danger of campaigns seeking to deepen conflicts and destabilize peace and security.

You can not reject Surah Al-Taubah without committing apostasy, incurring the death penalty and subjecting Islam to Allah’s curse.

• To enhance common human values, to cooperate in their dissemination within societies and to solve the problems that hinder their achievement.

Code words for promoting the spread of Islam.

• To disseminate the culture of tolerance and understanding through dialogue so as to be a framework for international relations through holding conferences and symposia, as well as developing relevant cultural, educational and media programs.

“Culture of tolerance and understanding” means Islam. Dawa by institutional propaganda.

• To agree on international guidelines for dialogue among the followers of religions and cultures through which moral values and ethical principles, which are common denominators among such followers, so as to strengthen stability and achieve prosperity for all humans.

International guidlines are needed for dialogue?  Are there questions we must not ask; statements we must not make?

• To work on urging governmental and non-governmental organizations to issue a document that stipulates respect for religions and their symbols, the prohibition of their denigration and the repudiation of those who commit such acts.

That is a clear & obvious reference to the pending U.N. General Assembly Resolution Res62/154 condemning “defamation of religions”. For my analysis of that malicious malarkey, refer to  U.N. Resolving to Silence Islamophobes. At the end of that blog post, you will find a list of links to related posts. See also: Stop Sharia!!!