Speech of the Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques
To
International Islamic Conference for Dialogue
Convened in Makkah Al-Mukarramah,
26-28 /5/1429 (31 /5-2/6/2008)
I warmly welcome you all at this august meeting you are
now holding at the vicinity of the
Ancient House of Allah which is situated in the blessed Makkah Al-Mukarramah , which has been chosen by Allah to be the cradle
of Revelation and the starting point from which the concluding Message radiated
to all parts of the world. Since you are considered the illustrious scholars (Ulama) and preachers
of this Ummah, your meeting today comes as a strongly reliable and confident resumption
of the great march of Islam as it is
narrated in the Hadith that (Ulama are the inheritors of Prophets)
Distinguished Ulama!
Allah Almighty has entrusted us with a great rewarding
responsibility towards Muslim brothers everywhere as we should readily and
sincerely support them for the uphold of truth. Likewise, we are responsible
towards other people who share Muslims in mankind as we have to be the Messengers for peace and carriers of benevolence
torches.
Distinguished Brothers!
We were indeed glad that the Muslim World League (the
League) has timely called for the convention of this significant conference and
has meticulously chosen dialogue as a theme for it. For, dialogue is the most
important means Muslims employ in acquainting people with their religion and in
presenting its principles and advantages to other nations to help them consider
them. However, in presenting Islam we have to follow the methodology of our
Prophet Muhammad ( BPUH), who carried out without hesitation constructive and
convincing dialogue with polytheists and disbelievers in Makkah Al-Mukarramah as
well as politely addressed carefully worded messages to the then Kings ruling
the countries surrounding the Arab Peninsula and invited them to embrace Islam
so as to enjoy peace . Furthermore, the Prophet( BPUH) submitted his Message to
all other people belonging to various social status and pursued active dialogue
with non-Muslims in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, at which he established an optimum
model for coexistence among followers of the revealed Messages on the clear
foundations of the historically renowned covenant of Madinah, which is
considered a document adequately dealt
with the desired peaceful coexistence among people, one of a few
documents people rightly take pride in.
For, this document focused mainly on achieving
common interests and on cooperation for establishing justice and benevolence as
well as upholding noble Islamic values.
We are
in the