Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear scot47,
Sounds more like a monologue to me.
Regards,
John

[indirect.object]

Sometimes, the best response is a poem:

http://www.zaytuna.org/articleDetails.asp?articleID=75

[johnslat]

Dear indirect.object,
Not bad, though a trifle long. But in Saudi, any "celebration" of the Prophet's birthday would not be, so to speak, kosher.
Regards,
John

[indirect.object]

Our religion teaches us to verify information received from questionable sources.

Somebody's earlier post, on the topic of an interfaith dialogue held in Mecca, piqued my curiosity. It does seem like a misnomer to advertise an interfaith dialogue in a city known to be off-limits to all but Muslims. So, I looked up the conference on the Web, and here's what was published by a reputable news outlet [http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=3&id=12976]:


"Mecca, Asharq Al-Awsat- King Abdullah Bin-Abdulaziz, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, inaugurated today the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue at Al-Safa Palace in Mecca in the presence of more than 500 Muslim figures from various Muslim countries. The aim of the conference is to draw up the bases and principles for the Muslims' dialogue with other nations and cultures."

[johnslat]

So, apparently they're going to "monologue" first to decide how best to dialogue later.
I wonder how many and how differing the opinions on that will be? Will they range from "no to full" dialogue? And how well will the final decision be implemented? Will a "united front" be the outcome? I suspect that, if there is a wide diversity of opinion, a united front will be conspicuous by its absence.
Regards,
John

[indirect.object]

Dear John,

If it interests you, perhaps you'd like to do your own research. I believe you will find that among orthodox Sunnis of the four major schools of jurisprudence at least, the range of religious opinion produced by hundreds of years of scholarship is considered a mercy from God. Teachers I've met have said that that's something that is agreed upon. By all means look into it with a qualified shaykh, if you wish.

Best wishes,

IO

[indirect.object]

PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:51 am Post subject:
Everybody should go to Medina ! Haven't you heard about THE EXCLUSION ZONE? Medina and Mecca are only for the FAITHFUL. Kaffirs keep out !

Scot47: Regarding your comment above, everything has a price. And you get what you pay for!

[johnslat]

Dear indirect.object,
Actually, I have done some research, and I agree that there is diversity of opinion among the four major schools. Considering human nature, it would be amazing if there weren't. And actually, the very fact that there ARE four major schools by itself implies that there is a range of opinion.
If you're interested, here's an article that discusses the matter in a thought-provoking interview - a sample:

ALL MUsLIM SCTS SHOULD AGREE TO DISAGREE

Based in New Delhi, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is a noted Islamic scholar. In this interview with Yoginder Sikand, he talks about the urgent need to promote dialogue and ecumenism between the different Muslim sects.

YS: Although the Quran stresses Muslim unity, Muslims are divided into numerous sects, and some of them see the other sects as enemies. How do you account for this phenomenon of intense sectarianism and the fact that, unlike in the Christian case, there is really no Muslim ecumenical movement to bring the ulema of the different sects on a common platform for serious dialogue?

WK: I think this has much to do with the lack of modern education among Muslims. As a result of the Renaissance in Europe, modern scientific thought had a major impact on religious thought there, although there was also fierce conflict between the Church and scientists. But the scientific spirit promoted tolerance in matters of religion, and because of this Christians, then largely based in Europe where the scientific revolution occurred, were also inclined towards more tolerance in matters of inter-sectarian relations. This had to do with the scientific revolution in Europe and not with Christianity as such.

The serious lack of modern education and the scientific spirit among large sections of the Muslim community gives space to professional clerics to exercise their influence by seeking to establish the veracity of their own sects by denouncing the other Muslim sects, instead of seeking to build bridges with them. Rather than reaching out to them, to seek to understand them or dialogue with them, their approach is to brand them at once as 'enemies', 'infidels' and as allegedly having strayed from the path of Islam. Maulvis of different sects hurl fatwas against the other sects, denouncing them in harsh terms.

However, I feel that it is only through serious and constructive dialogue that you can reach out to other groups. If you feel these groups may not be in accordance with your understanding of Islam, you must seek to dialogue with them. Denouncing them will only further promote conflict.

YS: Are you aware of any efforts being made today to promote inter-sectarian dialogue and unity among the ulema of the different Muslim sects?

WK: Some efforts have been made in recent years in this regard. However, their approach has been basically that of seeking to end differences and thereby promote unity. This, however, can never work. On the other hand, Christians associated with the ecumenical movement tolerate intra-Christian differences but seek to promote unity despite these differences. They agree to disagree. But there is no such tradition among the Muslim ulema. They must understand that unity cannot be had by trying to destroy differences. We should learn to tolerate, not eliminate, differences and in that way the different sects can indeed come closer."

To read more, please go to the link below:


http://www.twocircles.net/2007oct03/all_muslim_sects_should_agree_disagree_maulana_wahiduddin_khan.html

Regards,
John

[indirect.object]

The Amman Message:

http://ammanmessage.com/index.php?lang=en

[writeextra]

Hello. I would appreciate it if someone could provide me with cost of living information for Madinah or direct to a site that has the information. I would like to know things like the cost of a 3-5 bedroom apt that is perhaps a 15 minute walk from Masjid An-Nabawi and how much SUVs/vans cost along with the cost of electronics, appliances & furniture. Thank you.

[scot47]

I would love to help you out. Alas, the authorities will not let me or any other non-Muslim visit Medina.

Perhaps you should inquire on some other forum ? www.muslimsonly.com