In mid-July, King Abdullah initiated and hosted the National Dialogue from Madrid Spain. During this three day event 300 religious, political and cultural leaders from 50 different countries came to Madrid. These individuals were from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist faiths. According to King Abdullah, he linked societal roles and the impact of these roles on terrorism, racism, crime, drug abuse and breakdown of family due to losing touch with religion. The aims and themes which King Abdullah identified as critical for this gathering are as follows:
· Religion is an important factor in human societies.
· Analyze the success and failures of past dialogues to learn and grow for the future.
· Study and analyze obstacles which can prevent goals from being met.
· Coordinate international efforts to counteract challenges which can negate from objectives being met.
· Strengthen moral values and social practices.
· Resist tendencies which promote conflicts and misunderstandings.
It seems that this dialogue, while a positive initiative, is viewed with caution. It is debatable on whether attendees expect concrete gains and forward movements from this dialogue. However I believe it is significant that such an initiative was taken by Saudi Arabia and that Jews were invited to the event. It is good that there is such a close relationship between Saudi Arabia and Spain in order to have the event hosted where all these representatives of diverse faiths can peacefully gather.
Now in my view towards showing intent and forward progress, if as King Abdullah has acknowledged that religion is an important factor in human societies, towards reinforcing this belief, Saudi Arabia must begin to open up and show greater tolerance and understanding for those in the Kingdom who may not be practicing muslims. It just seems contradictory to me to bring together key individuals from the world’s different faiths and yet remain so closed on the topic of religion. I know that the conservatives in the Kingdom would react strongly to such change and this is a serious consideration that needs to be addressed in order to move forward and fulfill all of the objectives of the Madrid Dialogue. It is also going to be key to have continued monitoring and a road map for clear progress, even if just baby steps in the beginning. This will further ensure to the world the intent of all concerned for obtaining success and fulfillment of goals and objectives.
Filed under: islam, politics, religion, Saudi Arabia
None of King Abdullah’s themes require increased tolerance for religions other than Islam represented in the Kingdom.
A certain cohesiveness permeates a society that observes only one religion. Witness Ramadan in Saudi Arabia.
I must confess, I loved the Islam-dominant atmosphere of the Kingdom. I loved the fact that 50%, then 100% of the people in my environment were all Muslims.
That said, I hastily add that I agree with you–intellectually–tolerance and openness are qualities that can improve relations between people and countries.
Does the concept of “improved relations” necessarily include tolerance of other religions on one’s turf? I don’t know.
I must qualify the phrase “Islam-dominant,” before someone reminds me that the atmosphere of the Kingdom is often not Islamic. I meant that by hearing the azan everywhere, all five times daily, and by having mosques within walking distance, and daily routines revolving around prayer, a Muslim is encouraged and helped in observing a most important requirement of the faith.
I asked two scholars whether the Madrid dialog is therefore a prelude to religious tolerance in the Kingdom. Their response was that all of Saudi Arabia should be viewed the same as the Vatican where individuals from many faiths may come to but only Catholicsm will be practiced. I challenged their comment saying that should’nt those rules apply only to Makka and Medina only but allow tolerance in other cities in the kingdom. The scholars were firm in that all of Saudi Arabia remains sacred from open practicing of any religion than Islam.
Carol,
It will be interesting to know how they came up with the conclusion that all Saudi Arabia is sacred. The borders of the country were not drawn at the time of the prophet and he allowed people of other religions like Judaism and Christianity to practice. Are they creating new definitions of what is sacred out side of Sunnah? WOuld they term such new innovation Bedaah?
Saudi in USA,
The reference for such a claim usually comes from one of the last speeches by the Prophet where he said that the kufar should be kept from the entire Arabian Peninsula.
Of course since that has completely failed in every Gulf Pen. state except for Saudi Arabia.
Personally, I have no issue with keeping Mecca and Medina for Muslims only, but the rest of the country should be open for everyone, regardless of religion.
I get a kick out of the response that Carol got from the scholars that “open practice” of any other religion than Islam should be banned.
Once again, appearance over substance. If people are practicing other religions all over Saudi, what’s the difference?
I’m sure you all will find it interesting that when discussion the Madrid Dialog on Saudi television I was forewarned not to bring up the subject of greater freedom of religion in the Kingdom as one of the discussion topics. That was a taboo subject on state-run TV.
I agree with your points. Vatican City is Catholic only, Latin is the official language. No problemo!
However, outside this small city lies the rest of Italy. Rome, Milan, Tuscany, all of whom allow Masjids for Muslims to worship. Now, what would happen if Pope B, decided tomorrow the entire country of Rome should be Catholic only, though everyone else can practice ..but not openly.
Don’t get me wrong, if Saudi and the GCC countries had no other religions residing there, no problemo again.
However, look at how many Christians work in these countries. If they didn’t want non Muslims there, why hire them? Hire Muslims only. Simple.
For the record, Kuwait allowed the first Catholic church on the outskirts of Kuwait when the Oil Company opened. It’s been in Kuwait since the 30′s. I’ve never heard anyone complain about the churches. The only stipulation is no evangelizing. Never one disagreement between them.
Interesting Carol. I love being able to speak as I please and not being told by someone what is forbidden.
People have minds of their own and should be able to make them up on their own. These governments fear that.
I have a problem with banning churches and synagogues in Saudi Arabia because I think the practice is unIslamic.
Look, you have The Qur’an and Hadith. If a hadith or other part of the Sunnah violates what is said in The Qur’an is should automatically be discarded.
The prophet never would have said, done or advocated anything that went against the word of God.
In The Qur’an God orders Muslims to protect the houses of worship of Christians and Jews in Muslim lands BEFORE they protect their own.
It is impossible that this same God would then have his Prophet order that none of these same houses of worship be located in the Arabian Peninsula. Hence the supposed commandment of the Prophet against the Kufar in the Arabian Pen is wrong, it is bid’ah and it is haram.
I think it was a later invention added by those looking more towards the politics of their day than the religion.
Mecca and Medina? Fine………but it would be the Islamic thing, holding true to the religion and the example of the Prophet, to have churchs and synagogues from Riyadh to Jeddah and Hail. I wouldnt care if Qassim was dotted with them. It might actually do the area some good.
It’s interesting as well that this conference was held in Spain, with its history of religious tolerance followed by intolerance.
While I personally agree that Makkah and Medina should remain holy sacred sites to Muslim and wish that the rest of the Kingdom would lessen its restrictions on religious intolerance, I just can’t see it happening. Much as we may not like to admit it, politics and national security play a great role in this aspect. This is a critical chess game that has to be played out just right to avoid outcry, chaos and destruction.
Rose, I think Spain was a well choice given the close relationship and partnership that the Kingdom has with Spain. By holding the conference in Spain, representatives of all faiths could be invited and gather together.
Kudos to the King for initiating a much nedded conversation.
If we as humanity don’t find common ground in our varying beliefs we will continue to suffer from the results of our fanatiscm and intolerance towards one another.
It’s certainly something governments need to consider but also something that needs to be modeled in the home.
More is” caught” than “taught”
I agree Always. And now let’s also hope for positive results from the “Yale Dialog” as well.
What’s the Yale dialog?
I just googled it.Definately a conversation whos time has come.
There should also be a mothers dialouge and one for kids.
I remember reading years ago about the Troubles in Northern Ireland,they sent children from both sides to summer camp together.They discovered they weren’t so different at all…..
It’d be awesome with the internet ,I can just imagine the conversations,
I am presuming when you say you googled, you meant the Yale Dialog?
There is nothing to stop anyone from creating an ongoing virtual dialog with projects, goals and benchmarks…
Sorry ,Yes,The Yale Dialog.Interesting that scholars and academics are looking for common ground in Islamic -Christian Relations.
Don’t know how those ideas would work in a dialog between mothers of differing faiths,but it would be interesting to hear different views on how to teach/model tolerance to our children.
The goal would be a common understanding that we are all God’s children and worthy of respect and understanding.
Projects? Question and answer sessions.I have a list.Maybe a quilt square swap.or postcards.
Poetry and essays about who we are,hopes,dreams and desires?
Benchmarks?I’m not so sure that the resaults would be something that could be noticed in so tangible a way.
I’ll have to think about this one for a bit……
If you are not aware of it, check out the website http://www.peacexpeace.org (it is also in my blogroll under expat women). I worked for this incredible organization whose mission and vision is global peace through the empowerment and education of women. From what you posted, I think you may be interested in what they are doing and perhaps in forming a circle.
That looks like a worthwhile cause. I clicked on the map, not enough members in the Middle East.
I definitely will float around the site to see what it does.
Ziff Davis publications chose to pick up this post:
http://googlewatch.eweek.com/bb-article.html?bbPostId=CzCso0daZ4bnXBEZgr4vZTMqJB9GTtXrFpYukB8CY2js8x6Pk
Viking Daughter: When I was in the States I worked for a period of time at Peace X Peace as their events manager and in charge of all translations. They are a very noble cause. After my departure from the States Peace X Peace hosted an international gathering bringing representatives from all countries in which they had circles to meet and discuss common issues and ground as well as have special functions, meeting with members of Congress and other activities. To my knowledge there is only one circle in Saudi Arabia and I wish there were more. I do not believe there is any representation from Kuwait either. Yet at the same time, there are American women who would welcome the opportunity to begin dialogs and projects with women from these countries.
I believe the King’s decision to hold this conference is an attempt at reimpregnating Saudi and himself as a major player and influentual power in the middle east and therefore the world. We have seen major influences of Egypt and Iran lately and I think he just wants to get some more limelight and show some “face” by holding a so-called “interfaith dialogue”.
Personally I don’t believe it means much to him but time will tell.
Ryan, I will respectfully agree to disagree on this one. At least to me, King Abdullah just exudes with sincerity and earnestness, particularly on this subject. He first brought up the concept when meeting with leaders of Japan (in Saudi Arabia) stressing how he believed such dialogue was critical. He then continued to follow through on his actions.
You’re right – ultimately time will tell.
In addition to Ziff Davis, Reuters has also chosen to pick up and carry this post:
http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/domestic?bbPostId=CzCso0daZ4bnXBEZgr4vZTMqJB9GTtXrFpYukB8CY2js8x6Pk
Interesting post Carol as always! I also enjoyed the comments. I believe doing something about these matters is better than remaining silent and witnessing our world go to ruins due to misunderstandings. If there’s follow through ohhh even better! I mean, an initiative without follow through is meaningless, but in our world it seems to carry a lot of weight. So good. We can work on our own peace dialogues. Starting with developing peace within our own selves and then extending to our families, neighbors, friends and on to the bigger world around us.
I think many of us fall into the trap of handing responsibility over to others when we are very much capable of doing something ourselves, even if on a small scale.
Everyone wants peace but we’re still arguing with each other, everyone wants happiness, but we’re still adamant on not wanting to get down to the causes of problems and then we complain about all this intolerance and hate in the world. As long as people don’t harm each other (now we’ll have to define harm) then let them do as they please!
There’s always hope, that oxygen for human existence : ) And we’ll get to a greater understanding and we’ll solve our problems and live happily ever after! Ohhh Cinderelllaaa why did your story end???? : P
There’s wisdom in children’s stories. Adults know they live in a messed up world and that is why they write these stories for children so they have noble dreams and ideals. So they work on putting those ideals into reality and make our world a better place.
I once wrote that to dream of waking up to a sun whose rays shine on no ignorance is almost insane. And yet, it is what keeps me going. The pace of progress is certainly beyond what I perceive as slow, but then it’s important to me that there is progress and I wish more and more individuals identify their purpose of being and help make this world a more tolerable one in which to breathe.
Well wish me luck…in our own way, a Saudi friend of mine and myself are starting our own group dialogues next week bringing Saudi and expat women together!
Hi AB!
How are the group dialogues going? Have you started them? Let us know and all the best to you in everything you do!
Stay tuned Tee!! It’s not that far away and we shall see.
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