Bid to forge Islamic unity | May 03, 2005

5-03-05

By Mohammed Al A'li
Gulf Daily News (Bahrain)

A CONFERENCE that aims to diffuse tension between different Muslim sects gets underway in Bahrain tomorrow.

The Fourth Islamic Unity Conference is being organised by the country's biggest Islamic society - the Islamic Enlightenment Society.

Speakers from different Muslim sects are being brought together to talk about their differences and ways of tackling them.

This year's conference will focus on divisions between Shi'ite Muslims and disunity between Muslims in Bahrain as a whole.

The three-day event is being held under the patronage of Clergymen Council chairman Shaikh Isa Qassim.

It will be held at Saar Ma'tam and guest speaker will be leading Iranian clergyman Shaikh Mohammed Mahdi Al Asafi, who will present three of nine papers at the conference.

Organising committee head Hameed Al Basri said the event would focus on the obstacles faced by Islamic work.

"Unfortunately, Islamic work is being sidelined by members of the community, who are divided among themselves and are incapable of putting their differences to one side," he told the GDN.

"What they don't understand is that a united front is needed if Islamic work is to prosper and grow."

Mr Al Basri, who is also society vice-president, said the main reason for the conference was to talk about sensitive issues relating to Shi'ite Muslims, as well as Muslims in general.

"If we manage to reach solutions to our internal problems Islamic work will develop - rather then continue to stumble and fall apart," he said.

"Dialogue is the solution and hopefully it will defuse the ongoing tension in our country, which is being affected by this division."

Mr Al Basri urged members of both sects to participate in the conference.

He claimed that once Muslims unite it would be possible to increase dialogue with other religions.

"We have this in mind, but at the moment the time is not right," said Mr Al Basri.

"The society has already established the Islamic Awareness Centre to reach Muslim non-Arabic speakers and people from other faiths.

"This is in preparation for our future plans to have dialogue between people from all faiths."

The conference starts daily at 8pm and the opening will feature speeches by Shaikh Qassim and society president Shaikh Saeed Al Noori.

It will also include papers by Shaikh Al Asafi and Bahrain University Scientific Research dean and Al Wefaq National Islamic Society secretary Dr Abdali Hassan.

The second night will feature a speech by leading clergyman Sayed Abdulla Al Guraifi.

It will also include papers by the society's Muharraq branch head Sayed Haider Al Sitri, Shaikh Al Asafi, leading clergyman Sayed Kamil Al Hashimi and Islamic Action Society president Shaikh Mohammed Al Mahfoodh.

The closing night will feature a speech by Shaikh Al Noori.

It will also include papers by economist Dr Hussain Al Mahdi, researcher Dr Jaffar Al Sayegh and Shaikh Al Asafi.

Shaikh Al Asafi will also give lectures at ma'tams in Sitra, Hamad Town, Sanabis and Muharraq during his stay in Bahrain.

Posted by admin at May 3, 2005 10:21 AM