Dialogue between different faiths crucial: Ex-grand mufti

There is no teaching in the Quran that says Muslims must convert every non-Muslim, look down on the faiths of others or kill non-believers, the former grand mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Dr Ali Gomaa, said yesterday.

Drawing on his deep knowledge of Islamic teachings, he emphasised the need for dialogue between members of different faiths, saying this must be done sincerely and with the utmost respect for the views of all.

"Inter-faith dialogue need not conclude with a winner or loser," he said, adding that as a Muslim, he was particularly sensitive to what he called the "weaknesses and flaws of Muslims themselves".

"Indeed, all Muslims must engage in serious and honest self- examination if they are sincere about bettering themselves, and returning to the Creator with a sound heart and clear conscience," he said.

One of the most respected religious authorities in the Muslim world, Sheikh Gomaa, 62, held his audience of 550 spellbound as he delivered a 35-minute speech in Arabic, which was translated into English.

The well-known advocate of religious moderation was Egypt's grand mufti between 2003 and last year. He was the distinguished speaker at the launch of the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme yesterday at the Marina Mandarin Singapore.

In his address titled Reclaiming Our Common Humanity - The Role Of Religion Amidst Pluralism, Sheikh Gomaa shared his insights into how trust among those from different religions needs to be continuously built.

He urged his audience to approach inter-faith dialogue in an atmosphere of respect. Dialogue, he said, was not about competition.

The need for dialogue and respect for other religious beliefs is taught in the Quran, he added.

"The Quran states, 'God has created us into nations and tribes so that we may learn about each other'," he said. The world's beauty, he added, lies in its pluralism.

He said dialogue is not for the elite alone, but must reach the common man.

Sheikh Gomaa participates in inter-faith dialogues with the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church's Archbishop of Canterbury. With the Bishop of London Richard Chartres, he co-chairs the C-1 World Dialogue, a body that aims to improve ties between the Islamic and Western worlds.

Tensions between the two worlds have intensified over the past few years, said Sheikh Gomaa. The terrorist attacks against the West since 2001, the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan and religious conflicts in the Middle East have led to rising sentiment against Islam, he said.

There has also been growing suspicion among Arabs and Muslims in engaging the West to develop their own societies, he noted.

But no matter how pessimistic the landscape seems, people must ensure that these events do not end in the proverbial clash of civilisations, he said.

"The world is in dire need of forums which facilitate genuine dialogue in a shrinking world," he said.

Also needed are religious leaders who have carefully studied religious texts. They have to re-establish their authority in a world where a small but highly visible group of religious extremists are creating havoc.

"It is very important to note that none of these extremists has been educated in Islam in genuine centres of Islamic learning," he said, concluding that the most powerful weapon against extremism is correct education.

Former Anglican bishop of Singapore John Chew played a significant role in arranging for Sheikh Gomaa's visit. The original plan was to invite a speaker from the West but Dr Chew persuaded the organisers to invite someone from the Middle East.

"There is nothing wrong with inviting someone from the West but many of them don't have the traction and the ability to speak with such confidence. What he said would have put him at risk in some places in the world," said Dr Chew.

"His speech will have a lot of meaning for Muslims and it will also make the Christians learn to listen."

This article was first published on June 10, 2014.
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