Dubai: Scholars of all faiths shoulder a responsibility to ensure verses of scriptures are not used out of context to manipulate religion for nefarious agendas, famous Islamic speaker Dr Mufti Menk told a multi-faith gathering in Dubai on Friday.
He was speaking at the annual Iftar Get-together of Al Manar Islamic Centre, this year held at The Address, Dubai Mall hotel, attended by various religious leaders, diplomats and other guests.
Dr Menk, who has millions of fans and social media followers around the world, took the opportunity to say that the Quran does not have a blanket ban against taking anyone and everyone from the People of the Book — Jews and Christians — as “awliya”, an Arabic word that, Dr Menk said, is wrongly translated as meaning friends.
He explained that extremists or misguided or unknowledgeable people misuse some verses of the Quran by taking them out of context. Dr Menk said the Quran only prohibits Muslims from entrusting their affairs to those who mock them or oppress them, a directive which “is also common sense and something we would all teach our children” regardless of one’s religion.
The Zimbabwean scholar also said religious leaders of other faiths must also ensure their scriptures are interpreted properly.
He added that being “brothers in humanity is a link that cannot be denied”. His main address was about Ramadan being a season of compassion towards everyone, even animals, that should also be practised all year round.
The event was attended by consuls-general of Canada, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, along with 30 religious heads of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, various government officials and business leaders.
It was held in line with the UAE’s vision to be among the happiest countries in the world, Al Manar said in a statement.
Guests were asked to share what Ramadan means to them as residents of Dubai.
Rev Timothy Heaney from Christ Church said he was impressed to see Muslims as a whole, rather than a minority of them, fasting. He added that Ramadan made him think about the Christian fast and faith as well.
Nari Salwani, chairman of the Shiv Hindu temple, said Dubai is a place where “we respect others and are respected by others”, as exemplified also by Ramadan.
Jasjeev Singh from Gurunanak Darbar Sikh temple said Ramadan reminded him that his faith and other religions have a season of introspection that should be used for self-improvement.
Rubesh Pillai from the Buddhist temple said Ramadan is like a window into the Muslim faith that promotes interfaith understanding.
The closing remarks came from Ahmad Hamed, a speaker at Al Manar, who highlighted the event’s “unique feature of the coming together of people from the most influential sections of the society — government officials, diplomats, religious leaders and business leaders — on one platform”.
Al Manar Islamic Centre is a non-profit community centre established in 2006 under the patronage of Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
