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Posted on 11/19/2001 3:30:30 PM PST by Thinkin' Gal

Jordan to show Islam's tolerance during Ramadan

More than 2,500 imams will deliver a message of tolerance during Ramadan at mosques, sports and social clubs, universities and TV

By Hassan Mekki

November 19, 2001, 10:54 AM

AMMAN (AFP) - Jordan is determined to highlight the tolerant face of Islam through targeted sermons during the holy month of Ramadan, to redress the image of the religion after the September 11 terror attacks.

With the Muslim faithful expected in greater numbers to attend prayers at mosques during the dawn-to-dusk fasting month which started Friday, Jordan's religious authorities have mobilized thousands of clerics to spread the word.

"The message of tolerance will be the focus of sermons at mosques during Ramadan, which are frequented by more Muslims than at any other time of the year," the secretary general of the religious affairs ministry told AFP.

Abdel Fatah Salah said the message will also be addressed at sports and social clubs as well as to university students throughout Ramadan.

"More than 2,500 imams and preachers have been appointed by the authorities to give sermons in 3,000 mosques nationwide during Ramadan that focus on the tolerant aspect of Islam," he said.

Jordan's state television will also broadcast daily "Islamic lessons" that carry the same message, such as the widely-followed "Hashemite religious seminars" that run following weekly Friday prayers, Salah said.

"These lessons will dwell on Koranic verses that call for the propagation of Islam through dialogue and that advise" Muslims on how they should behave in line with their religion, Salah said.

One of the lessons from the Koran details how early Muslims behaved in battle and how their soldiers were advised against killing women, children or the elderly, he said.

Jordan has also invited preachers from various countries and organizations, including Al-Azhar University, Egypt's top Sunni Muslim authority, to take part in this campaign.

"During Ramadan, Muslims show a keen interest in their religion and so it is a good time to present a tolerant concept of Islamic precepts, particularly since extremism is born out of ignorance," said Jordan's Religious Affairs Minister Ahmed Helel.

Ever since the United States accused Muslim extremists of responsibility in the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, Jordan has spearheaded efforts to clear Islam's name.

King Abdullah has taken the lead by speaking out at international forums against attempts to equate Islam with terrorism, stressing each time that the US-led anti-terror campaign should not be seen as a war between East and West.

On a state visit to London earlier this month, King Abdullah said, "Our (Muslim) religion has been hijacked and distorted by extremists".

King Abdullah has urged his uncle to activate inter-faith discussions and a dialogue among Islamic sects to highlight Islam's "moderation".

In a message last week to the former crown prince, Hassan bin Talal, King Abdullah stressed the need to organize seminars and conferences to bolster inter-faith dialogue, specifically Christian-Muslim ties.

Political analysts in Amman said King Abdullah's choice and move underlined his determination to rectify the image of Islam across the world.

Hassan is the author of an authoritative book entitled "Islam and Christianism" that underlines the fact the world's three monotheistic religions -- Christianity, Islam and Judaism -- were born in the same region.

He is also a respected public speaker who has addressed several world forums on inter-faith dialogue and peace.

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