islam and interfaith dialog “ preventing another september 11 th ”
TRANSCRIPT
Islam and Interfaith Islam and Interfaith DialogDialog
““Preventing Another September 11Preventing Another September 11thth””
OVERVIEWOVERVIEW
Why do we need dialog?Why do we need dialog? Islam and teachings of Islam Islam and teachings of Islam Islam and interfaith dialogIslam and interfaith dialog Fethullah GFethullah Güülenlen The Institute of Interfaith DialogThe Institute of Interfaith Dialog QuestionsQuestions
WHY WE NEED DIALOGWHY WE NEED DIALOG
The world becoming smallerThe world becoming smaller It is not possible for anyone to live in an It is not possible for anyone to live in an
isolated societyisolated society Global villageGlobal village Everyone in this world became each Everyone in this world became each
others neighborothers neighbor Problems begin where communication Problems begin where communication
channels are closed or broken downchannels are closed or broken down We are in the information age and dialog We are in the information age and dialog
should be the main base stone of this age should be the main base stone of this age
TODAY’S PROBLEMSTODAY’S PROBLEMS
The world today needs peace more The world today needs peace more than at any time in historythan at any time in history
Main ProblemsMain ProblemsWarWarEnvironmental pollution Environmental pollution
Existing solutionsExisting solutionsFurther conquest andFurther conquest andDomination of natureDomination of nature
PEACEPEACE
Peace Peace within human societies within human societies with naturewith nature
Peace with the spiritual dimension Peace with the spiritual dimension of one’s existenceof one’s existence
And this can be achieved through And this can be achieved through religious teachings satisfying religious teachings satisfying people’s mind, heart and soulpeople’s mind, heart and soul
ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONSABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS
There are many common points There are many common points among Muslim, Christians, and among Muslim, Christians, and Jewish teachings Jewish teachings
Common values Common values love, peace, brotherhood, forgiveness, love, peace, brotherhood, forgiveness,
mercy, and spiritual purificationmercy, and spiritual purification We can learn from each other We can learn from each other We can support each otherWe can support each other
The Root of ISLAM The Root of ISLAM S - L - MS - L - M
IslamIslam PeacePeace SecuritySecurity Submission to the will of GodSubmission to the will of God
PeacePeace Peace with oneselfPeace with oneself With society With society With GodWith God
The word The word ""MuslimMuslim"" means one who submits means one who submits to the will of Godto the will of God
ISLAMISLAM
““Say, we believe in God and that which Say, we believe in God and that which has been revealed to us, and that which has been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes and and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes and that which was given to Moses and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to other prophets, from their Jesus and to other prophets, from their Lord. We make no distinction between Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.” any of them, and to Him we submit.” (The Family of Ìmrán/Al-Ìmrán 83)(The Family of Ìmrán/Al-Ìmrán 83)
ESSENTIALS OF ISLAMIC ESSENTIALS OF ISLAMIC FAITHFAITH
Belief in the existence and oneness of Belief in the existence and oneness of GodGod
Belief in prophetsBelief in prophets Belief in holy scripturesBelief in holy scriptures Belief in angelsBelief in angels Belief in destiny Belief in destiny Belief in hereafter Belief in hereafter
MAIN SOURCES OF MAIN SOURCES OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGSISLAMIC TEACHINGS
Qur’anQur’anGod’s wordGod’s wordVerses revealed to prophet Muhammad Verses revealed to prophet Muhammad
(PBUH)(PBUH) Teachings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH)Teachings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad’s explanations of Prophet Muhammad’s explanations of versesverses
UNITY OF GODUNITY OF GOD
Qur’an 59:22; The Qur’an 59:22; The Gathering (Gathering (Al-HashrAl-Hashr) )
““Allah is He, than Allah is He, than Whom there is no other Whom there is no other god;- Who knows (all god;- Who knows (all things) both secret and things) both secret and open; He, Most open; He, Most Gracious, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”Merciful”
MEANING OF LIFE MEANING OF LIFE ACCORDING TO ISLAMACCORDING TO ISLAM
We stay in this life for a very short time We stay in this life for a very short time After this world we will have an eternal life After this world we will have an eternal life ““Be certain of this, that the highest aim of Be certain of this, that the highest aim of
creation and its most important result is belief in creation and its most important result is belief in God. And the most exalted rank in humanity and God. And the most exalted rank in humanity and its highest degree is the knowledge of God its highest degree is the knowledge of God contained within belief in God. And the most contained within belief in God. And the most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human beings is the love of God contained within the beings is the love of God contained within the knowledge of God.”knowledge of God.”
THREE MAIN POINTS OF THREE MAIN POINTS OF THIS LIFETHIS LIFE
““The highest aim of creation and its most The highest aim of creation and its most important result is belief in God” important result is belief in God”
““The most exalted rank in humanity and The most exalted rank in humanity and its highest degree is the knowledge of God its highest degree is the knowledge of God contained within belief in God”contained within belief in God”
““The most radiant happiness and sweetest The most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human beings is the love of God bounty for human beings is the love of God contained within the knowledge of God” contained within the knowledge of God”
ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFEULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE
Belief in GOD
Knowledge of GOD
Love of
GOD
ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFEULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE
There is nothing more enjoyable for us There is nothing more enjoyable for us than getting close to Godthan getting close to God
““To those who do right is a fine To those who do right is a fine reward, neither dust nor shame shall reward, neither dust nor shame shall cover their faces. Those are the cover their faces. Those are the companions of paradise, in it they shall companions of paradise, in it they shall live for forever” (Jonah/live for forever” (Jonah/YunusYunus 26) 26)
ISLAM = PEACEISLAM = PEACE
LoveLove PeacePeace ToleranceTolerance
Islam and Interfaith DialogueIslam and Interfaith Dialogue
The word Islam comes from Salam The word Islam comes from Salam meaning peace meaning peace peace with God and all of His creation, peace with God and all of His creation,
everythingeverything Greeting in IslamGreeting in Islam In Islam we have two main sources; In Islam we have two main sources;
Qur’an and Qur’an and Prophet’s (SAV) teachingsProphet’s (SAV) teachings
Islam's Call for Dialogue Islam's Call for Dialogue
Hundreds of Qur’anic verses deal with Hundreds of Qur’anic verses deal with social dialogue and tolerancesocial dialogue and tolerance
Fourteen centuries ago, Fourteen centuries ago, Islam’s call on Interfaith DialogIslam’s call on Interfaith Dialog
The Qur'an calls the People of the The Qur'an calls the People of the Book (Christians and Jews primarily) Book (Christians and Jews primarily)
Qur’anQur’an
Say: "O People of the Book! Let us Say: "O People of the Book! Let us come to common terms between us come to common terms between us and you: and you: that we worship none but God; that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him." that we associate no partners with Him."
(3:64)(3:64)
Your religion is for you; my religion Your religion is for you; my religion
is for me. (109:6) is for me. (109:6)
Teaching’s Prophet (PBUH) Teaching’s Prophet (PBUH)
The Prophet (PBUH) stated: "I place The Prophet (PBUH) stated: "I place in your trust the People of the Book, in your trust the People of the Book, the Christians and Jews." the Christians and Jews."
Umar (RA) stated: "I place the Umar (RA) stated: "I place the minorities among us in your trust. minorities among us in your trust. Fear God regarding them and treat Fear God regarding them and treat them justly."them justly."
Fethullah Gulen Fethullah Gulen
One of the most important scholar One of the most important scholar emphasize interfaith concept in the emphasize interfaith concept in the Islamic world Islamic world
His call for love and toleranceHis call for love and tolerance His message is able to reach a very His message is able to reach a very
broad audiencebroad audience Fethullah Gulen condemns every Fethullah Gulen condemns every
terrorist activityterrorist activity
Gulen’s Statement About Gulen’s Statement About September 11 September 11
Published at New York times immediately after the event Published at New York times immediately after the event I would like to stress that any terrorist activity, no matter who does I would like to stress that any terrorist activity, no matter who does
it and for what purpose, is the greatest blow to peace, democracy and it and for what purpose, is the greatest blow to peace, democracy and humanity. For this reason terrorist activities can by no means be humanity. For this reason terrorist activities can by no means be approved of. Terror cannot be a means for independence, nor can it approved of. Terror cannot be a means for independence, nor can it be applied to a struggle for salvation. It costs, most of all, the lives of be applied to a struggle for salvation. It costs, most of all, the lives of innocent people.innocent people.
Terrorism cannot be a means for any Islamic goal, and a terrorist Terrorism cannot be a means for any Islamic goal, and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim, nor can a true Muslim be a terrorist. Islam cannot be a Muslim, nor can a true Muslim be a terrorist. Islam orders peace and a true Muslim can only be a symbol of peace and orders peace and a true Muslim can only be a symbol of peace and the maintenance of basic human rights.the maintenance of basic human rights.
I assure the American people that I pray to God Almighty for the I assure the American people that I pray to God Almighty for the victims and feel from the bottom of my heart the pain of them all. victims and feel from the bottom of my heart the pain of them all. May God equip them with patience.May God equip them with patience.
Gulen’s Teachings on Gulen’s Teachings on Interfaith DialogInterfaith Dialog
““Be so tolerant that your heart becomes wide like the Be so tolerant that your heart becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love for others. ocean. Become inspired with faith and love for others. Offer a hand to those in trouble, and be concerned Offer a hand to those in trouble, and be concerned about everyone.about everyone.
Applaud the good for their goodness, appreciate those Applaud the good for their goodness, appreciate those who have believing hearts, and be kind to believers. who have believing hearts, and be kind to believers. Approach unbelievers so gently that their envy and Approach unbelievers so gently that their envy and hatred melt away. Like a Messiah, revive people with hatred melt away. Like a Messiah, revive people with your breath.your breath.
Return good for evil, and disregard discourteous Return good for evil, and disregard discourteous treatment. An individual's character is reflected in his treatment. An individual's character is reflected in his or her behavior. Choose tolerance, and be mag or her behavior. Choose tolerance, and be mag nanimous toward the ill‑mannered.”nanimous toward the ill‑mannered.”
THE INSTITUTE OF THE INSTITUTE OF INTERFAITH DIALOGINTERFAITH DIALOG
Promotes dialog among all world Promotes dialog among all world religionsreligions
Interfaith problems rise from Interfaith problems rise from Lack of knowledgeLack of knowledge
» About other religionsAbout other religions» About ones own religionAbout ones own religion
MisunderstandingMisunderstanding Most religions have the same goalMost religions have the same goal
To Please GodTo Please God
THE INSTITUTE OF THE INSTITUTE OF INTERFAITH DIALOGINTERFAITH DIALOG
IID organizes IID organizes Intellectual eventsIntellectual eventsCultural eventsCultural events
Promotes universal valuesPromotes universal valuesLoveLovePeace Peace ToleranceTolerance
� �ال إ �ا �ن ل م� ل ع� � ال �ك� ان ح� ب س��نت� أ �ك� �ن إ �ا �ن �مت ع�ل م�ا
ح�ك�يم� ال �يم� ع�ل الGlory to God, of knowledge We have Glory to God, of knowledge We have none, save what You have taught us: none, save what You have taught us: In truth it is You Who are perfect in In truth it is You Who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom. knowledge and wisdom.
(The Cow/(The Cow/Al-BaqarahAl-Baqarah 32) 32)
