HUMINT: Popes and Ayatollahs

HUMINT ^ | 20 October 2006 | Pope - Muslims - humint

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OPEN LETTER TO HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI

In an unprecedented move, an open letter signed by 38 leading Muslim religious scholars and leaders around the world was sent to Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 12, 2006. The letter, which is the outcome of a joint effort, was signed by top religious authorities such as Shaykh Ali Jumu‘ah (the Grand Mufti of Egypt), Shakyh Abdullah bin Bayyah (former Vice President of Mauritania, and leading religious scholar), and Shaykh Sa‘id Ramadan Al-Buti (from Syria), in addition to the Grand Muftis of Russia, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Istanbul, Uzbekistan, and Oman, as well as leading figures from the Shi‘a community such as Ayatollah Muhammad Ali Taskhiri of Iran. The letter was also signed by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan and by Muslim scholars in the West such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf from California, Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and Professor Tim Winter of the University of Cambridge.

THE LETTER, an EXCERPT

WITH REGARDS TO YOUR LECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF REGENSBURG IN GERMANY ON September 12th 2006, we thought it appropriate, in the spirit of open exchange, to address your use of a debate between the Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and a “learned Persian” as the starting point for a discourse on the relationship between reason and faith. While we applaud your efforts to oppose the dominance of positivism and materialism in human life, we must point out some errors in the way you mentioned Islam as a counterpoint to the proper use of reason, as well as some mistakes in the assertions you put forward in support of your argument. [Snip]

[Snip]Something New?

You mention the emperor’s assertion that “anything new” brought by the Prophet was “evil and inhuman, such as his alleged command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”What the emperor failed to realize—aside from the fact (as mentioned above) that no such command has ever existed in Islam—is that the Prophet never claimed to be bringing anything fundamentally new. God says in the Holy Qur’an, Naught is said to thee (Muhammad) but what already was said to the Messengers before thee (Fussilat 41:43), and, Say (Muhammad): I am no new thing among the messengers (of God), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that what is Revealed to me, and I am but a plain warner (al-Ahqaf, 46:9).Thus faith in the One God is not the property of any one religious community. According to Islamic belief, all the true prophets preached the same truth to different peoples at different times.The laws may be different, but the truth is unchanging. [Snip]

HUMINT: With respect to God, how do new revelations marry old revelations in a healthy society? Society is demonstratively dynamic and so must society's collective understanding of God. Can these changes be managed by a single individual Ayatollah or Pope? The answer is obviously no. No individual can possibly be God's vehicle on earth when our individual relationships with God are influential of each other but undeniably discrete. The departure from "one man, one god" theology ended with God's creation of Eve. At that instant, one on one human relations with God ended and Eve's individuality became a tertiary influence to God's relations with humankind. If the Father, Son and Holy Ghost represents the Holy Trinity - God, Adam and Eve represent another trinity. Her actions would shape Adam's destiny as much as Adam's action would shape hers.

In this statement from the letter from Muslim scholars, "The laws may be different, but the truth is unchanging." these Islamic scholars are far from clear. Are they referring to God's laws. IE. gravity? Pi - 3.141592... - as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter? These are natural laws that once unveiled by the human intellect appear to provide mankind with great rewards. God's laws apply in quantum mechanical scenarios as well. To be sure, some of those laws remain a mystery to the human intellect. Once understood and abided by, humankind will indeed receive great reward for abiding by God's law.

It would seem they are referring to the laws of men. The laws of men are subject to change at the whim of mortals and cannot be considered God's law. God empowered humankind to govern themselves. That truth is unchanging. One individual cannot dictate terms to a community of individuals without their explicit consent. In that scenario, the dictator is supplanting God for other individuals, in effect blocking their relations with God. Adam could not have told God that all dealings with Eve should go through him. That would have been blasphemy in the extreme. So then, how can any Muslim, who acknowledges that they are warning society of their contradictions with the theological teachings handed down to humankind from God, sit quietly ignoring the inherent theological contradictions of the Iranian government. The Iranian theocracy is an anathema to the singular God it claims to represent.

I find this letter from a group of learned Muslims, in all that it could've been, loses credibility because it is signed by a ranking Iranian cleric who has every intent to obstruct the natural spiritual growth of the Iranian people.

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MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) - Iraqi Shiite and Sunni clerics meeting in Islam's holiest city have signed a text calling for a halt to sectarian bloodletting in war-torn Iraq. At the meeting, organised by the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, the 29 clerics from the two sides of the country's religious divide signed a document stipulating that "spilling Muslim blood is forbidden". The 10-point text, drafted by four clerics from two communities under OIC auspices, draws on verses of the Koran and sayings of the Prophet Mohammed. It also calls for the safeguarding of the two communities' holy places, defending the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and the release of "all innocent detainees", according to a copy of the text seen by AFP. After arriving on a special flight arranged by the Saudi authorities, the clerics gathered at a royal palace near Mecca's Great Mosque to issue their appeal on the last day of prayer of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The text signed by the representatives of the two main branches of Islam stressed the need for Sunnis and Shiites to "join ranks with a view to the independence of Iraq and its territorial integrity". The text includes calls to safeguard the "goods, blood and honour of the Muslim", to free innocent people who have been abducted, and "allow displaced people to return to their place of origin". It also calls for suspected criminals to be judged "in a just manner". The document is to be distributed throughout Iraq in Arabic and English. "The ulemas (Sunni clerics) have issued a fatwa that has obtained the support of the marjaya (Shiite religious authorities) in Iraq and it should be implemented," said OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. Speaking to journalists after the signing, Ekmeleddin acknowledged that the OIC did not have a "magic wand" to ensure its implementation. "It is a moral obligation. Neither the OIC, nor anyone else, has power over the consciences of men," he said. However the leader of the Islamic bloc noted that the initiative had the support of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and other government ministers. The OIC had earlier acknowledged that the success of its initiative would largely depend on the level of participation by the spiritual leaders of the two communities. Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani was not represented at the gathering, but sent a letter of support that was read to participants, in which he expressed the view that "there has not been a confessional conflict between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq but a political crisis." Shiite radical leader Moqtada Sadr, whose Mahdi Army militia US commanders blame for much of the killing on the Shiite side in Iraq, did not send a representative to the gathering although he gave it his qualified support on Wednesday. "I support all conferences that go in line with the interest of Iraq, though I would have preferred it to be held in Iraq," he said. Maliki, who has seen the death toll from the communal bloodletting surge since he launched a national reconciliation plan in June, earlier said he hoped the gathering would boost his embattled government's efforts. "A conference like that in Mecca, whereby Shiite and Sunni clerics are to attend, is deemed to be a support to efforts at home to find common ground for dialogue," he said.

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(Voice of Iraq) - 10-21-2006 | ارسل هذا الموضوع لصديقThis issue was sent to a friend Sotaliraq.com الشارع العراقي ينتظر من مؤتمر مكة نتائج تنقله لبر الأمانThe Iraqi street waiting for the results of the Mecca carrying righteousness safety رجال دين شيعة وساسة يرحبون باللقاءShiite clerics and politicians welcomed the meeting بغداد: «الشرق الأوسط»BAGHDAD : «» Middle East ترقب الشارع العراقي أمس التوقيع على «وثيقة مكة» التي تحرم الاقتتال المذهبي في العراق، خاصة وانه يحظى بدعم ومباركة شخصيات سياسية ودينية لها أثرها في الشارع العراقي المضطرب وفي مقدمتهم المرجع الشيعي آية الله علي السيستاني.Anticipation Iraqi street yesterday to sign the document «» Mecca, which prohibits sectarian fighting in Iraq. particularly as it has the support and blessing of political and religious figures have an impact on the Iraqi street, troubled at the airport with Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. سليم عبد الله، عضو اللجنة الدستورية والقانونية في البرلمان، يقول «ان العراق يعيش ظرفا امنيا صعبا وانقلابا خطيرا بالأوضاع وعليه سيكون التعويل على مقررات المؤتمر بشكل كبير جدا»، مشيرا الى ان «الشارع العراقي يعول كثيرا على نجاح المؤتمر وحتى السياسيين منهم، سيما وان المؤتمر لاقى الدعم الكامل لإنجاحه ومن قبل جميع الاطراف متمثلة بالسيد السيستاني والزعيم الشيعي الشاب مقتدى الصدر وحتى هيئة علماء المسلمين لم يكن لديها اي تحفظات على هذا المؤتمر، وكلها امور تعكس الرغبة بوقف العنف الدائر في البلاد».Salim Abdullah, a member of the constitutional and legal in Parliament, «says that Iraq is living in difficult circumstance security and a dangerous situation and it will rely on the decisions of the Conference is a very large», He pointed out that «the Iraqi street, relies heavily on the success of the conference and even politicians whom, especially since the Christians full support to make it a success is by all parties represented Mr. Sistani, and young Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr and even the Association of Muslim Scholars did not have any reservations about such a conference, all of which reflects the desire to stop the ongoing violence in the country ». وعن اختلاف مؤتمر مكة عن باقي مؤتمرات المصالحة التي اقيمت في العراق وخارجه، قال عبد الله لـ«الشرق الاوسط» انه «بالنسبة لمؤتمرات مثل التي اقيمت في القاهرة او التي اقيمت في بغداد، هناك جملة ملاحظات مسبقة حيالها، سيما وان الذي يدير هذه المؤتمرات هم السياسيون انفسهم اضافة الى عدم الثقة الموجودة بينهم، وهذا ما افشل نوعا ما المؤتمرات السابقة سيما بعدم تفعيل مقرراتها بالشكل الصحيح».And different from the rest of the Mecca reconciliation conferences held in and outside Iraq, Abdullah said the Middle East told «» that «for such conferences held in Cairo, which was held in Baghdad. there are a number of observations advance towards them. especially since that runs these conferences are the politicians themselves in addition to the existing lack of confidence in them, This is the worst kind of previous conferences particular decisions not to activate the correct format ». وزاد «قيمة مؤتمر مكة هو انه يرعى من دول الجوار وله مسحة اسلامية، ناهيك عن كونه يركز على حقن الدماء ويستند الى التهدئة والظهور بخطاب واضح يمكن العمل به».«The increased value of the Mecca is that sponsors of the neighboring countries surveyed with Islamic, not to mention that it focuses on the bloodshed and based on the appearance of calm and clear discourse can work ». من جهته، قال علي الاديب، عضو الائتلاف، لـ«الشرق الاوسط»: «نحن نأمل من المؤتمر ان يحقق المطلوب، وأنا اعتقد ان الدول التي تبنت المؤتمر تسعى الى ان يعم الأمن العراق».For his part, the writer, a member of the coalition, l «» Middle East : «We hope the conference to achieve the required I believe that the countries that sponsored the conference seeks to prevail in Iraq, the Security ». وعن مدى نجاح المؤتمر، فيما اذا برزت خلافات، قال الاديب «الاختلاف موجود، ولكننا نركز على قدسية المكان الذي عقد فيه المؤتمر، سيما وان هناك دولا اسلامية مشاركة كلها امور يجب ان توظف لإنجاح المؤتمر، بالإضافة الى ان الحكومات التي تدعم المؤتمر جادة وحريصة على تفعيل الوثيقة التي سيخرج بها المؤتمر (صلح مكة)»، مضيفا «نتمنى ان يأتلف المؤتمرون على الحد الادنى من الاتفاق، وعلى إيقاف اطلاق النار وإيقاف نزيف الدم، لنعود بعدها الى بناء العراق».And the success of the conference, as if differences have emerged. said writer «difference exists, but we focus on the sanctity of the place where the conference was held, especially since there is participation of all Islamic states things must be employed to make the conference successful. in addition to the fact that governments which support the serious and keen on activating the document to come out of the Conference (Magistrate Mecca) », adding «conferees hope that gets a minimum of agreement, and to stop shooting and to stop the bloodshed, Back then to the building of Iraq ». الى ذلك، اكد حميد مجيد موسى، عضو الكتلة العراقية، «كل مؤتمر يعلن النية الحسنة ويسعى الى الاستقرار الامني وإيقاف العنف، سوف يحظى بمساندتنا»، وقال لـ«الشرق الاوسط» اذا توصلت الارادة السياسية الصحيحة بأن تخلق مزاجا عاما طبيعيا وبمقررات تطبقها على الارض، فبالتالي هذا الموضوع سيقودنا الى مصالحة وطنية حقيقية».To confirm Hamid Majid Moussa, member of Iraqi bloc, «each conference announced goodwill and seeks to maintain security and stop the violence. will enjoy Bmsandtna », He told the Middle East »« if the political will to create the right mood years natural and decisions applied on the ground, Eventually this issue will lead us to true national reconciliation ». وعن اهمية المؤتمر أكد مجيد موسى «أهمية المؤتمر انه ينعقد برعاية ودعم خارجي ومن دولة جارة وبدعم الجامعة العربية، وكلهم يسعون الى تقريب وجهات النظر وبآليات تأخذ طريقها الى التنفيذ».Regarding the importance of the conference «Majeed Moussa stressed the importance of the conference it was taking place under the auspices of the external support is a neighbor and the support of the Arab League. and they are all trying to bridge the gap in viewpoints and mechanisms to move ahead to the implementation ». الى ذلك، رحب رجال دين شيعة في النجف وكربلاء في خطب الجمعة أمس بمؤتمر مكة، منتقدين في الوقت نفسه دور الدول المجاورة للعراق.So, The Shiite clerics in Najaf and Karbala in Friday sermons yesterday with the Mecca. critics at the same time the role of Iraq's neighboring countries. وقال السيد ياسين الموسوي القيادي في المجلس الاعلى للثورة الاسلامية في العراق بزعامة عبد العزيز الحكيم في خطبة صلاة الجمعة في مسجد الفاطمية في النجف، ان «مجرد الانفتاح على العراق والمشاركة في حل مشكلة الدم العراقي من قبل اخوتنا..هو امر جيد».He said Yassin al-Musawi, a leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq headed by Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, in a Friday sermon in a mosque in Najaf, Fatimid, «The mere opening up to Iraq and participate in solving the problem of blood by the Iraqi brothers. »is a good thing. وأضاف «نتحمل الجراح من أجل ان تقتنعوا بحرمة الدم السني والشيعي (...) والمهم ان تطبق بنود الاتفاقية على الارض ...نتمنى ان تعودوا بحرمة الدم».He added «bear the wounds for the sanctity of blood Tekatnawa Sunni and Shiite (...) The important thing is to apply the terms of the Convention on the ground ... We hope that the sanctity of the blood back ». وفي كربلاء، قال السيد أحمد الصافي ممثل المرجع الشيعي الكبير آية الله علي السيستاني إن «مؤتمر مكة خطوة مباركة ومهمة جدا، وكنا نتمناه قبل هذا اليوم»، مشيرا الى انه اذا «خرج المؤتمر بمقررات فيجب الالتزام بها وان شاء الله سيتمخض بعوامل مساعدة لاستقرار الوضع في العراق».In Karbala, Mr. Ahmed said net representative of the Shiite religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani that «the Mecca step blessing and very important. and we would have liked before this day », He pointed out that if «The conference decisions must abide by them and, God willing, it will help the factors to the stability of the situation in Iraq». وأضاف ان «دعوتنا ان يستشعر الجميع خطر ما نحن فيه والصراع الموجود الآن»، مؤكدا ان «الصراع الموجود هو ليس طائفيا، بل صراع سياسي».He added that «our knowing everybody danger where we are now exists and conflict», «stressing that the conflict is rather not sectarian, but political conflict ». وشدد الصافي في خطبته في مرقد الامام الحسين في وسط كربلاء، على ان «المؤتمر يجب ان يتضمن بنودا منها ان يستشعر السني والشيعي أن هذا البلد بلده ولا بد ان يعرف الشيعي حدود السني والسني يعرف حدود الشيعي وإذا لم نعرف حدود بعضنا البعض لا شك أن المعادلة ستكون فوضوية».He stressed the net in his Friday sermon at the Imam Hussein in central Karbala, «that the conference should include items from knowing the Sunni and Shiite town that the country must know the limits of the Sunni and Shiite, Sunni, Shiite and defines the limits if we did not know each other's borders there can be no doubt that the equation will be chaotic». وانتقد الصافي دول الجوار العراقي، زاعما ان «دور دول الجوار العراقي لم يكن ايجابيا وطيبا».He criticized net Iraqi neighboring states, «alleging that the role of the Iraqi neighboring states was not positive and good». وقال «ن بعض الجماعات اشترت الجنة بدماء العراقيين».He said some groups «n Paradise bought the blood of Iraqis».

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ITM That Mecca document.

Shia and Sunni Iraqi clerics were in Mecca last night to sign a document (or decree or treaty or whatever its name is!).

In my opinion choosing Mecca was not only for religious or spiritual reasons, actually I tend to believe that Saudi Arabia offered to host the meeting with such enthusiasm only to improve its image and change the general impression about it so that it's viewed as a country that supports peace and tolerance instead of a country that breeds extremism.

What the clerics agreed upon in that paper was no more than the fundamental fact and the first (or second) commandment in all religions; that is "murder is wrong". How absurd and demeaning is that! As if they had to go to Holy Mecca to realize that murder is a crime. And as if they were admitting that until last night each sect's clerics didn't consider it a crime to murder someone from a different sect. Frankly I suspect there was never a time when they considered it a crime and I don't think signing that paper changed a thing.

With very rare exceptions, clerics are hypocrites who wear different faces for different times, situations and places, so all in all, I'm not expecting anything from that paper. Like Saudi Arabia, I think they went there and signed that paper also merely to improve their image and to pretend that they were/are not the ones to blame for the daily bloodshed in Iraq.

They want to satisfy their dead conscience and convince themselves that they had done their part of the job by signing that paper and that it's up to the people now to stop killing each other! As if it wasn't the militias they run and tensions they create that are causing the sectarian violence.

There's one other important point about the meeting that makes it rather impossible to expect it to make a difference on the ground; the two most vicious murderous factions that are responsible for most of the sectarian violence, i.e. al-Qaeda and Sadr's militia will not drop their weapons or stop their crimes just because some clerics signed a decree.

However, the document can possibly be of practical value only if it gets used in the right way; that is since the document alienates anyone who violates the points stated within, the MNF and the reluctant PM Maliki can take advantage of it and do what they have to do with people like Sadr who had long enjoyed unwritten immunity.

I mean if Sadr or certain Sunni groups refuse to abide by the articles of the decree and continue doing their daily dirty job then clerics and religious parties that signed the decree will have the pretext to stop the government or the MNF from taking action against them.

Still, this is just in theory.