Dr. Aref Ali Nayed delivered a speech before an audience of some of the world’s most distinguished Islamic scholars from around the world at the 2nd Annual Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, the landmark global initiative launched in 2014 by His Eminence Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayah under the patronage of His Highness Shaykh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs. In a panel session on “Peace in Islam through Western Eyes”, Dr. Nayed presented a case study on how the Common Word initiative, a letter to Pope Benedict XVI signed by 38 leading Muslim scholars calling on Muslims and Christians to work together based on common spiritual values. The Common Word initiative has led to a sustained dialogue with the Vatican and other Christian communities. “The Common Word initiative shows how we as Muslim theologians, jurists and community leaders can change the global discourse on Islam at the highest levels.” he said.
Dr. Nayed shared the session with three distinguished colleagues, Dr. Mustafa Ceric, Chief Scholar and former Grand Mufti of Bosnia, Dr. Abdellah Boussouf, Director of the Center for Euro-Islamic Culture and Dialogue, Charleroi in Belgium, and Professor Abdullah El-Seyid Weled Abah, from the University of Nouakchott in Mauritania. The session was moderated by Dr. Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar, Secretary General of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslims Societies was established in 2014 by Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayah with the support of the UAE government to bring together traditional Muslim scholars from around the world to create and build a counter-narrative to extremist ideologies that have led to violence and terrorism, plunged Muslim countries into civil war and damaged the image of Islam throughout the world.
A photo gallery of the conference can be seen here, http://snakhooda.smugmug.com/2nd-Forum-for-Promoting-Peace-/