A day of moderation, tolerance
Anti-takfir drive needs to be supported by the whole of Saudi society
Today we celebrate the National Day with greater hopes and aspirations about the future of our country.
It is encouraging to note that a major initiative has been taken to lead the Kingdom to a better future. The initiative aims at countering religious extremism and eradicating the takfiri militant ideology that has threatened our peaceful and spiritual society.
This militancy is one of the greatest challenges that our nation faces today. In order to address this threat, the government has begun a large-scale campaign nationwide to promote moderation and tolerance among Saudi citizens.
The government has begun in earnest a campaign to address the issue of “takfir,” the labeling of a Muslim as an “infidel” or “disbeliever”, which is one of the principal reasons behind the intolerance and strife that is prevalent among many in our society today. Unfortunately, this concept has been allowed to spread unchecked for too long and as a result we are now faced with a generation that has been misguided by a deviant ideology. We are compelled to tackle this dangerous ideology head-on as they have taken the liberty of distorting the Qur’an and Hadith.
We have identified there is a desperate need for an effective awareness campaign to inform the public about the dangers of extremism and to protect our youth from the instigators of instability within our society. Saudi citizens today should all support the Ministry of Interior in its goal of eliminating this threat. We should all commend religious scholars who are speaking out against the proponents of the takfiri concept.
One of the most recent initiatives of the Ministry of Interior was the inauguration of an international conference on takfir. In cooperation with Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University, the “Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz International Prize for the Prophet’s Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic Studies” organized a three-day conference to address the impact of takfir on the future of Islam. Over 100 researchers from 45 countries were invited to participate. The key objective was to highlight the responsibility of social institutions in addressing the threat as well as draw up strategies to curb the spread of the extremist ideology. The conference was held in the holy city of Madinah and it coincided with lectures and workshops held nationwide. The participants discussed ways to tackle the concept of takfir and raise awareness about the distorted views that produced a negative impact on Saudi citizens in particular.
The conference is the first of many other initiatives that have been organized to curb the spread and influence of extremists on our youth. The ultimate goal is to protect Saudi society from the deviant ideology that promotes violence and hostility among one another. There are takfiris who believe that any Muslim who commits a sin, whether major or minor, is a kafir, and there are others who believe that it has to be a major sin. However, the more dangerous extremists label any Muslim who does not share their extreme religious views a kafir. They go as far as making the blood and wealth of this other a legitimate target to attack or kill. The distorted interpretation of the concept of takfir in Islam has misguided many of our youth who remain behind bars for committing terrorist acts and have become a danger to themselves and society. Religious extremists used this concept to recruit many young people, legitimizing their actions in the name of Islam. It is truly unfortunate that the perpetrators of this ideology have succeeded in manipulating the minds of innocent youths and they subsequently masterminded terrorist operations that continue to threaten the Muslim world at large.
The Saudi government campaign to address this dangerous phenomenon needs to be supported and encouraged by the whole of Saudi society and Muslim scholars all over the world. The takfiri ideology today threatens to create conflict between all Muslim communities. This phenomenon needs to be eradicated before it causes more chaos and instability within the Muslim world at large. Those who adhere to the extremist takfiri ideology have dissociated themselves from their societies and have chosen to be in constant confrontation with their fellow Muslims who reject their extremist views and principles.
The three-day conference was an opportunity to allow Muslim scholars to address the threat and come up with recommendations to curb the spread of this dangerous phenomenon and negate its anti-Islamic views.
Meanwhile, another major conference to address violence and extremism was held in Umm Al-Qura University in the holy city of Makkah. The fourth teachers preparation conference was under the theme, “Teachers responsibility toward the phenomenon of violence and extremism in the light of changes of the present age and the requirements of citizenship.” Senior education officials and specialists gathered for three days to study the effects of teachers’ values and attitudes on students.
Researchers believe that teachers with hard-line views played a vital role in misguiding our youth and allowing them to be easily recruited by militants and terrorist organizations. The government has allocated millions to upgrade the educational system and to prepare programs to enhance teachers’ performance. Educators must live up to the expectations of the state and society. Nurturing and guiding our youth is the national and religious responsibility for all members of society — especially our teaching faculty.
The unrest and turmoil in our neighboring countries and the negative influence of extremists who deviously manipulate the innocent minds of our youth continues to be of serious concern to the state. It is a responsibility of both the state and academic institutions to inform and educate the public about the dangers in our midst and to offer a peaceful and healthy environment for all citizens of our beloved country. The role of educators cannot be stressed enough in this process. Education can protect our youth from all elements with selfish agendas who threaten their harmony and peaceful way of life. There is a dire need to raise awareness among teachers to promote the values of moderation and tolerance in Islam which are the basic elements for peace and prosperity.
Let us celebrate this year's National Day by supporting the nationwide campaign to combat extremism and foster tolerance and understanding among one another. Let us avoid tensions and conflict in our daily lives and enjoy a harmonious society by showing respect for others who may not share our views. Let us recognize the social ills that have led us to extremism and created such a hostile environment. Let us fight discrimination and adopt a more humane attitude and show kindness to the weak and the underprivileged. Let us all unite to advocate moderation and live with the true principles of our Muslim faith.
— Samar Fatany is a Jeddah-based broadcaster and author.
Comments
ISMAEEL MARIKAR
Sep 24, 2011 10:43
Report abuseIt is for scholars to declare a man an "infidel" based on findings, of his committing acts constituting KUFR.
The problem is created by the the JAMATH AL MUSLIMEEN ALSO REFERRED TO AS JAMATHE TKAFEER..founded and based in PAKISTAN
They maintain that all those who do not give "baiyyah" pledge to their leader based in Pakistan is a "KAAFIR"