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Speech of Dr. Ahmed Kamal Aboul Magd
( Commissioner for Dialogue between Civilizations of Arab League )
Page (6)
2.
Again, and contrary to a wrong impression most common among
non-Muslims, particularly in the West, relations between a
Muslim state and the rest of the world, is one of mutual
recognition, mutual respect, peace and cooperation. It is not
one of exclusion, enmity or confrontation. War is not
authorized, except in case of self defence. In Islam, there is
no such thing as "a holy war". Moreover, and even in case of
self defence, war does not lie outside the "jurisdiction or
beyond the reach of the "rule of law". Rather, it is strictly
limited by the principles of Sharia or Islamic Law. Those
principles stand most firmly against the killing of innocent
people who are not engaged in military activity. They prohibit
the killing of women, children or the elderly. They prohibit
resorting to what is known in our day as chemical and biological
weapons. The Prophet of Islam prevented his companions from
poisoning the water wells of the enemy. Peace remains the
ultimate and desirable goad, as Muslims are required to accept
peace once it is offered by the other side. This is provided for
in Verse 61 of Srrah 8 (Alanfal) "and if they incline towards
peace, you shall incline to it".
"وإن جنحوا للسلم
فاجنح لها"
These few
examples are only given to illustrate the discrepancy between
the distorted image of Islam in the eyes and minds of many
non-Muslims and the real picture of Islam as a humane and
peaceful faith aiming at creating a relationship of harmony,
togetherness and cooperation between peoples and nations
entertaining different outlooks, beliefs and ways of life. It is
this firm belief in diversity as a law of God and a fact of life
that makes dialogue between people belonging to different
cultures, the one and only vehicle for mutual understanding,
conducive to peaceful co-existence and cooperation in apposition
to the other alternative of conflict, clash and a culture of
hate and confrontation. Both Japan and the Muslim world are
qualified to play a leading role in promoting this noble
paradigm of peace, love and cooperation.
A. Kamal Aboulmagd
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