Jordan to host religious leaders' gathering on Iraq
AFP is reporting that Jordan will be hosting a gathering of Islamic religious leaders April 22, to discuss reconciliation in Iraq.
Actually, I'm going to be in Jordan April 17-21. I'll be giving a lecture at the inauguration of a new U.N. University leadership institute there.
Convening this religious leaders' gathering seems to me like a good move. (You can read my recent paper on "Religion and Violence" to see how I identified the important kinds of contribution that religious precepts, practices, and institutions can make to peacemaking.)
AFP quotes an official statement as saying that the gathering,
- will be attended by "a large number of key Iraqi religious leaders who represent the Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish Iraqis"...
The conference will be placed under the patronage of King Abdullah II who will "join his voice to those of the Iraqi religious and tribal leaders in calling for an end to violence and religious tensions in Iraq." [tribal leaders??? Well, I guess that's a Hashemite thang... ~HC]
It is expected to produce a statement signed by all the participants and indicating "that there is no religious legal basis for hostility and fighting among Shiites and Sunnis," it said.
"The tension and fighting underway in Iraq is taking cover behind religious and sectarian motives ... which is not justified by our noble Muslim religion," the statement said.
Religious leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran and Turkey, as well as from other Arab countries are also expected to attend.
Participants are to include Sheikh Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi of the Cairo-based Al-Azhar, the highest authority in Sunni Islam, as well as Arab League secretary general Amr Mussa.
Is there really a "highest authority in Sunni Islam?"
Helena,
What is a "U.N. University leadership institute"?
Edq, you can read all about it here.
John C., you're right to express doubt about this. It's a claim frequently made for (and by?) the Sheikh of al-Azhar but Sunni Islam is actually a very non-hierarchical religious denomination. The Sheikh of al-Azhar is actually-- like the Muftis of the various predominantly Sunni countries, something close to being a government appointee. (Maybe this is just marginally better than having the British monarch be the "head" of the Anglican church?)
Actually, I'm going to be in Jordan April 17-21. I'll be giving a lecture at the inauguration of a new U.N. University leadership institute there.
Neat, that is next door to Iraq. A great chance to gather courage and go there for a first hand impression.