Muslim & Christian Scholars Gather in Amman
Oct 20, 2012 8:31:32 GMT -5
Post by popcorn on Oct 20, 2012 8:31:32 GMT -5
Muslim and Christian Scholars Gather for Interfaith Session in Amman 
Muslim and Christian scholars, among other figures, gather for an inter-faith dialogue session in Amman Sunday (Photo by Rula Samain)
AMMAN — The Christian community is not defined by its numbers but by their historical contributions and the positive role they play, Director of Liqaa International Dialogue Centre Father Gabriel Hachem said on Sunday.
“While emigration decreased the number of Christians in the Middle East, the number should not affect the positive role they play in building a better society,” Hachem added.
According to the religious leader, Christians were pioneers in the Arab revival and the development of Arabic.
“Christians are in a national partnership with their Muslim brethrens to build a model of coexistence and dialogue for the rest of the world,” he added.
The comments came during a one-day seminar held by the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre, titled “Arab Christian and the Apostolic Exhortation-Challenges”.
Hachem told The Jordan Times during an exclusive interview that the major challenge is finding one common ground for the diversity of Christians based on the one religion, “all through love”.
Upholding humanity, strengthening the Christian-Muslim coexistence and facing common responsibilities in building modern societies are the most obvious challenges at this point in time, Hachem said.
He pointed out the importance of establishing and maintaining a fair and just peace for all.
“Our goals will not be complete without the contributions of our Muslim brethrens,” he remarked.
Secretary of the Arab Gathering to Address the Migration of the Arab Christians Father Nabil Haddad said that this seminar aims at widening the horizons of the Apostolic Exhortation.
He added that the seminar comes in line with the “Christians and Muslims Serving Human Dignity” document released in Beirut in September, on the sidelines of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit.
He noted the document was signed by more than 50 seasoned politicians and religious figures in the Arab world.
During the seminar, Senator Akel Biltaji questioned the true reasons behind the Christian emigration.
He said: “It is either the ‘going west’ factor, or the result of the West’s spread of the Islamophobia they created.”
Biltaji also pointed out “economic foreign intervention” in the form of job opportunities, among other incentives.
He quoted His Majesty King Abdullah addressing the American Congress in a closed session: “There are still churches in Jerusalem, but the number of the faithful has decreased to a few thousands. Do you want the churches empty? In Jordan we do not accept it.”
During his speech, the senator said that foreign countries plan to allure immigrants by promises of a better life is now exposed.
He also quoted King Abdullah’s message during a visit to Chicago’s Arab community: “Please reconnect and stay in touch with your original country, renew your passport… go back and vote… we want you to grow in number and not the opposite.”
As for Islamophobia, he said there is a need to increase awareness of this phenomena that the West, especially the Zionists, is using.
He said that promoting Islam as the religion of terrorism is a misrepresentation of the true spirit of Islam.
“To face these challenges and stand against all these factors is to stand side by side as a nation both Muslims and Christians,” said the senator.
source:
jordantimes.com/christians-are-defined-by-the-positive-role-they-play-
Muslim and Christian scholars, among other figures, gather for an inter-faith dialogue session in Amman Sunday (Photo by Rula Samain)
AMMAN — The Christian community is not defined by its numbers but by their historical contributions and the positive role they play, Director of Liqaa International Dialogue Centre Father Gabriel Hachem said on Sunday.
“While emigration decreased the number of Christians in the Middle East, the number should not affect the positive role they play in building a better society,” Hachem added.
According to the religious leader, Christians were pioneers in the Arab revival and the development of Arabic.
“Christians are in a national partnership with their Muslim brethrens to build a model of coexistence and dialogue for the rest of the world,” he added.
The comments came during a one-day seminar held by the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre, titled “Arab Christian and the Apostolic Exhortation-Challenges”.
Hachem told The Jordan Times during an exclusive interview that the major challenge is finding one common ground for the diversity of Christians based on the one religion, “all through love”.
Upholding humanity, strengthening the Christian-Muslim coexistence and facing common responsibilities in building modern societies are the most obvious challenges at this point in time, Hachem said.
He pointed out the importance of establishing and maintaining a fair and just peace for all.
“Our goals will not be complete without the contributions of our Muslim brethrens,” he remarked.
Secretary of the Arab Gathering to Address the Migration of the Arab Christians Father Nabil Haddad said that this seminar aims at widening the horizons of the Apostolic Exhortation.
He added that the seminar comes in line with the “Christians and Muslims Serving Human Dignity” document released in Beirut in September, on the sidelines of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit.
He noted the document was signed by more than 50 seasoned politicians and religious figures in the Arab world.
During the seminar, Senator Akel Biltaji questioned the true reasons behind the Christian emigration.
He said: “It is either the ‘going west’ factor, or the result of the West’s spread of the Islamophobia they created.”
Biltaji also pointed out “economic foreign intervention” in the form of job opportunities, among other incentives.
He quoted His Majesty King Abdullah addressing the American Congress in a closed session: “There are still churches in Jerusalem, but the number of the faithful has decreased to a few thousands. Do you want the churches empty? In Jordan we do not accept it.”
During his speech, the senator said that foreign countries plan to allure immigrants by promises of a better life is now exposed.
He also quoted King Abdullah’s message during a visit to Chicago’s Arab community: “Please reconnect and stay in touch with your original country, renew your passport… go back and vote… we want you to grow in number and not the opposite.”
As for Islamophobia, he said there is a need to increase awareness of this phenomena that the West, especially the Zionists, is using.
He said that promoting Islam as the religion of terrorism is a misrepresentation of the true spirit of Islam.
“To face these challenges and stand against all these factors is to stand side by side as a nation both Muslims and Christians,” said the senator.
source:
jordantimes.com/christians-are-defined-by-the-positive-role-they-play-
