I’d be interested in your take on this:
‘Follow the Islamic way to save the world,’ Prince Charles urges environmentalists
By Rebecca English
Last updated at 1:46 AM on 10th June 2010
Prince Charles yesterday urged the world to follow Islamic ‘spiritual principles’ in order to protect the environment.
In an hour-long speech, the heir to the throne argued that man’s destruction of the world was contrary to the scriptures of all religions - but particularly those of Islam.
He said the current ‘division’ between man and nature had been caused not just by industrialisation, but also by our attitude to the environment - which goes against the grain of ‘sacred traditions’.
Outspoken: Prince Charles speaks to Islamic studies scholars at Oxford University
Outspoken: Prince Charles speaks to Islamic studies scholars at Oxford. He argued that man’s destruction of the world was particularly contrary to Islam
Charles, who is a practising Christian and will become the head of the Church of England when he succeeds to the throne, spoke in depth about his own study of the Koran which, he said, tells its followers that there is ‘no separation between man and nature’ and says we must always live within our environment’s limits.
The prince was speaking to an audience of scholars at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies - which attempts to encourage a better understanding of the culture and civilisation of the religion.
His speech, merging religion with his other favourite subject, the environment, marked the 25th anniversary of the organisation, of which he is patron.
He added: ‘The inconvenient truth is that we share this planet with the rest of creation for a very good reason - and that is, we cannot exist on our own without the intricately balanced web of life around us.
‘Islam has always taught this and to ignore that lesson is to default on our contract with creation.’
It’s important to realise who HRH was speaking to. He was speaking to mostly Moslem students who take their religion seriously enough to be studying Islamic Studies at Oxford University. If you look at pictures, a significant number are females which reflects the fact that these are moderate Moslems. To be studying at Oxford, they have also been successful enough in integrating into British society to have gained a place at one of its finest Universities. They are not, for the most part, extremists.
So the Prince had an opportunity to speak moderate, though genuinely religious Moslem students about a cause he regards as extremely important and would like for them to also treat as extremely important. And so he chose to talk about it in a context of their religious beliefs.
If he had been talking to a mixed audience, he wouldn’t have made Islam the focus. If he was talking to a specifically Jewish audience, he would have made Judaism the focus. If he was talking to a specifically Christian group, he would have made Christianity the focus. If he was talking to a specifically Hindu group, he would have made Hinduism the focus. But he was talking to an Islamic group.
Around 3% of people living in Britain today are Moslems. A number of Islamic nations are members of the Commonwealth that the Prince of Wales will head as King. It is both right and proper that the Prince does have a good understanding of Islam - and he does. He also has an excellent understanding of Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Buddhism to my certain knowledge, and may understand other religions I’ve never had cause to discuss with him.
The Prince respects Islam as a religion, and draws a distinction between the practice of law abiding moslems and the atrocities of terrorists. Something that needs to be remembered is that the Prince’s own mentor, the person he was closest to outside of his immediate family was brutally murdered by terrorists who claimed to be Catholic and who claimed their acts of terror were linked to their Catholicism. He has also seen the vicious acts of ‘Loyalist’ terrorists who claim to have committed their crimes out of loyalty to his mother, and adherence to his own Anglican faith. He knows of acts of terrorism committed by supposed Hindus (such at the Malegaon bombings). He does not link terrorism directly to religion, though he is certainly aware many people have claimed their religion as a reason for such actions.
The media loves to try and ‘spin’ the Prince in certain ways. Unfortunately a lot of people seem to believe the spin - even people who generally don’t trust the media. He is then in the invidious position of being unable to defend himself - the Crown cannot be seen as trying to censor the press.
(Note: When he is in Scotland, he is referred to as the Duke of Rothesay, his highest Scots title, and not as the Prince of Wales).
1st June
In Perth, Scotland, to commemorate the 800th Anniversary of Perth. He visits Stanley Mills and talks about the need to preserve Scottish (and therefore British) heritage there. Visits a Farmer's Market and talks about the need to help British agriculture flourish. He visits an army headquarters (for a Regiment he is Royal Colonel of), honouring British troops, and then ceremonies and a seminar, again concerning the need to preserve and promote the heritage of the United Kingdom.
2nd June
Visits the Scottish National War Memorial - honouring British troops and veterans and those who died in the service of their nation.
Arts' Centre - British heritage again. Storytelling centre - heritage and education. Scottish business - industry and environmentalism.
The Prince's Trust - a trust he founded in 1976 to help provide opportunities for troubled young people to find work and get training so they can improve their lives.
3rd June 2010
The day starts by visiting a Church. Second engagement - vists a second Church. Then it's about gardens - English heritage and environmentalism. Then another group that helps young people. And then - East Ayrshire Council, and Combat Stress, a charity to help war veterans. Then Scottish Traditional Skills Training Centre - British heritage and getting people jobs, so they can help themselves to a better life.
4th June 2010
Launch the Prince's Regeneration Trust’s Green Guide for Historic Buildings - Britain's heritage and environmentalism again.
The National Trust for Scotland - British heritage again.
Glenlivet Distillery, Banffshire - British heritage (Scots and Scotch heritage especially) and industry.
That's what he did this month in terms of official engagements - and then he gives one speech to Moslem students.
In a month when so far he has had numerous engagements honouring British troops, past and present, where he has had numerous engagements all about promoting British industry, and where he has numerous engagements all about honouring the history and heritage of his nation - what do the press choose to publicise above all else?
And what impression does that leave?
The impression the press wants to leave, no matter how closely it matches the truth.