Jordan Times
Monday, May 31, 2004

PM urges imams to promote Islam's values

AMMAN (Petra) — Prime Minister Faisal Fayez urged mosque preachers to “protect mosques from anything that would sow the seeds of sedition and rift” among people “so as to preserve the sacredness of God's houses and [unity] of people.”

At a meeting with imams at the Islamic Cultural Centre on Sunday, Fayez emphasised that their sermons and teachings should be free of defamation and slander of individuals or groups. He said Islam calls for unity, solidarity, and good deeds, adding that the imams' noble duty is to promote such values.

The premier pointed out to the Hashemites' remarkable role in supporting the religious establishment, highlighting the attention His Majesty King Abdullah pays to the Ministry of Awqaf's Zakat Fund and his financial support of the imams and other ministry employees to improve their lives. Fayez also referred to the Hashemites' role in the regular renovations of Al Aqsa Mosque and the tombs of Prophet Mohammad's companions in Jordan.

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ahmad Hilayel, who also attended the meeting, said imams were totally aware of the current situation and the developments in and around Jordan and were contributing to the country's stability and security of its people. Minister of Political Development and Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Daoudiyeh said Islam is being targeted, a fact that requires religious figures in particular to exert more efforts to present Islam's true image as a faith that embraces tolerance and rejects terrorism.

Back to May 31, 2004