Egypt's Grand Mufti calls for tolerance, co-existence
Egypt's Grand Mufti, Shawqi Allam, has said that
Islam is a religion of tolerance and mercy.
This religion, he said, calls for co-existence and
dialogue.
"Dialogue is a religious necessity," Allam
said. "Diversity is proof of the power and wisdom of God."
He noted in a statement on November 16, on the
occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, that Islam underscores the
importance of the unity of mankind.
He added that this unity is of paramount importance
in Islam, regardless of the faith each group of people follows.
God, he said, instructed Islam's prophet, Muhammad,
to believe in all the prophets who had been sent to humanity before him.
"He also instructed Muhammad to believe in all
the other divine faiths," Allam said.
He noted that tolerance, co-existence and dialogue
are capable of putting an end to a large number of the conflicts the world
witnesses today.
Allam called for encouraging moderate religious
discourse.
"This discourse must also be accompanied by an
honest desire to spread peace," Allam said. "There is also an urgent
need for understanding those living with us on the planet, within the framework
of the partnership that we should build with everybody else."
