Saudi Arabia's monarch has urged Muslims to speak with one voice in preparation for interfaith dialogue with the Jewish and Christian worlds.
King Abdullah was speaking at a three-day conference in Mecca, attended by hundreds of Muslim delegates.
The king, whose country is mainly Sunni Muslim, said extremists were exploiting the tolerant nature of Islam.
As well as extremism, delegates hope to tackle what is seen as the negative perception of Islam in the West.
BBC Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi says the meeting is supposed to be the Saudi answer to the controversial "clash of civilizations" thesis of US academic Samuel Huntington.
Muslim writers often cite Prof Huntington's ideas as evidence of Western hostility to Islam in particular.
'Voice of justice'
King Abdullah entered the hall alongside Iranian politician Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who sat beside him on the stage.
... I tell you that there are many things in common and there's no need to look at differences Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
Correspondents say the message was that the Sunni kingdom was now in agreement with moderate Shia Muslims such as Mr Rafsanjani, a former Iranian president.
"You have gathered today to tell the whole world that... we are a voice of justice and values and humanity, that we are a voice of coexistence and a just and rational dialogue," King Abdullah told the delegates.
Extremism was a challenge to Islam that targeted the "magnanimity, fairness and lofty aims" of the religion, he said.
"That's why this invitation was extended - to face the challenges of isolation, ignorance and narrow horizons, so that the world can absorb the good message of Islam."
Mr Rafsanjani said Saudi Arabia "presented a great message to all humanity in the world" and appealed for Shia-Sunni dialogue and mutual support.
"We should... not weaken each other or sully each other's reputation," he said. "As a Muslim and a Shia and an expert in Islamic issues ... I tell you that there are many things in common and there's no need to look at differences."
Banned symbols
Delegates said the aim was to agree on a global Islamic charter for dialogue with Christians and Jews, ahead of a call by Saudi Arabia for an interfaith dialogue.
Saudi Arabia currently has no diplomatic ties with Israel, and non-Muslim religious services and symbols are banned in the kingdom.
Mainly Sunni Saudi Arabia and mainly Shia Iran stand on opposite sides of many of the conflicts dividing the Muslim world, and some observers say political rifts are being laid bare, such as different attitudes towards the US.
Mr Rafsanjani also urged the world's one billion Muslims to stop Washington
controlling the natural resources in their countries - a pointed comment in oil giant Saudi Arabia, a top ally of Washington.
"Why should this tremendous group be weak before the international arrogance?" he said, using the Iranian revolutionary term for the US.
Earlier this week, a group of independent clerics issued a statement saying Shia political movements like the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon were posturing against Israel to hide an anti-Sunni agenda.
If I was livng in SA and I wasnt' allowed to wear Sikh Symbols, well there would be hell to pay! NOBODY is going to dictate to me about what I'm allowed to wear that's in full observance of my RELIGION!
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
No compulsion in religion, but other religions just can't practice their faith? Has God really willed that?
Not the God I follow. And certainly not the God Muslims follow that I know. Some people are intolerant, but don't class them as Muslims. Just crentins who are lost and shall burn in the fires of hell for eternity!
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
Mr Rafsanjani also urged the world's one billion Muslims to stop Washington
controlling the natural resources in their countries - a pointed comment in oil giant Saudi Arabia, a top ally of Washington.
Washignton controlling their national resources? Who are they talking about? The Saudis who told the US to bugger off when Bush asked them to up production? Iran? Iraq? Kuwait?
Greetings and peace be with you young brother Osman, I hope your exams are going well.
The Suadi Monarch is searching for ways forward in interfaith relations, and that is a wonderful aim. He is hoping to heal division within Islam as well.
Saudi Arabia currently has no diplomatic ties with Israel, and non-Muslim religious services and symbols are banned in the kingdom.
The use of the word ‘currently’ in his statement suggests there may be room for change. If his intentions are truthfully for greater interfaith friendship and harmony he may try to influence this in his own country too.
In the spirit of praying for greater interfaith friendship
Yeh I do agree with it. Makkah and Madina are religious cities...so only Islaam should be there. No offence to anyone.
But Makkah and Madinah are not the only cities in Saudi Arabia...
Anyway, I think Pakistan and Indonesia should be the ones playing these roles, they are the largest Muslim countries after all. Saudi controls the Holy sites, which is a reson for them to have a say in the matter, but Iran? What has Iran done for Islam in the modern age? And both Saudi and Iran are not really representative of the Muslim world anyway, so they shouldn't be the talking ones.
But why does being the largest Muslim country make you eligable? Shouldn't this be something with representatives from all Muslims countries?
Yes, but having the two largest countries is more representitive than having two unpopular countries, one with hardly any people (Saudi) and the other being a country whose opinion is not taken seriously by any developed country (Iran).
If there were representatives from all countries, that would be good, it would be a step towards uniting Islam under an organised leadership again.
scholars from all over the world were invited to partake in this event....
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
scholars from all over the world were invited to partake in this event....
Suppose so, but then it still goes back the question:
Why is Saudi proposing a conference on religious tolerance when non-Muslim religions are practically outlawed there?
Yeh I do agree with it. Makkah and Madina are religious cities...so only Islaam should be there. No offence to anyone.
Jerusalem and Nazarath are religious cities so only Christians should be there. Rome is a religious city so only Catholics should be there. Salt Lake City is a religous city so only Mormons should be there. Do you see how stupid that argument sounds?
Suppose so, but then it still goes back the question:
Why is Saudi proposing a conference on religious tolerance when non-Muslim religions are practically outlawed there?
well with the religious tolerance islam must still be adhered to
One of Muhammed last orders were to expel other religions from Arabia.
Religious tolerance and no compulsion is religion does not and should not mean accepting other religions to be right.
First and foremost we are muslims, and religious tolerance does not mean we help other religions in their kufr by building them places of worship.
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
Well in that case in Panjab only Sikhism should be allowed, as it's the Sikhs holy cities!
btw - SA may be holy, but the Sheikhs re servants of the USA You need to deal with them first!
and your proof for that is...
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
But why does being the largest Muslim country make you eligable? Shouldn't this be something with representatives from all Muslims countries?
saudi is nowhere near the largest muslim country
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. [Quran {33:43}] www.QuranicAudio.com www.Quran.com
Jerusalem and Nazarath are religious cities so only Christians should be there. Rome is a religious city so only Catholics should be there. Salt Lake City is a religous city so only Mormons should be there. Do you see how stupid that argument sounds?
It sounds kool to me.
format_quote Originally Posted by AvarAllahNoor
Well in that case in Panjab only Sikhism should be allowed, as it's the Sikhs holy cities!!
Okay.
format_quote Originally Posted by AvarAllahNoor
btw - SA may be holy, but the Sheikhs are servants of the USA You need to deal with them first!
I'm sorry I cannot accept this statement, unless you have proof.
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Saudis launch Islamic unity drive
... I tell you that there are many things in common and there's no need to look at differences
Re: Saudis launch Islamic unity drive
last orders were to expel other religions from Arabia.
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