Jordan Times
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
‘There is Enough Love in Holy
Koran’
AMMAN (JT) - HRH Prince Ghazi on Tuesday said Islam views love as an essential
element in life, stressing that the Holy Koran places much emphasis on this
topic.
In his keynote address at the opening of the 14th General Conference of the
Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought at the Dead Sea, Prince Ghazi,
who deputised for His Majesty King Abdullah, said one of the reasons for
deciding on the issue of love in the Holy Koran as a conference theme was “to
respond to some who do not see there is enough love in the Holy Koran, and
mistakenly believe that Islam is just a religion of sword and violence”.
In fact, there are dozens of terms in the Holy Koran that refer to more than 50
forms of love, he told the gathering.
Prince Ghazi, who is the King’s personal envoy and special adviser, heads Aal al
Bayt Institute’s board of trustees.
The conference is a component of Aal al Bayt Institute’s programme to portray
the true Islam, rectify misconceptions about the religion, and foster ties and
intellectual discourse among Muslim scholars, a statement said ahead of the
meeting.
Participants were expected to discuss the concept of love in Islam as “an
ethical practice, a component of worship and a requirement for social
well-being, and as a tool to promote philanthropy”, the statement said.
Prince Ghazi told more than 100 Muslim scholars from 40 countries taking part in
the three-day meeting that the conference’s deliberations revolve around three
topics: Love of God, love of the Messenger of God and love of people, in
addition to a special discussion of the main theme in English.
He said the scholars were expected to discuss in detail these concepts and what
it means to love God and His Prophet.
The Prince added that love among people and human love of things in this world
is much highlighted in the Koran, including love among family members and
between friends. As to affection between husbands and wives, it is the only form
of love that has physical and psychological sides, he noted, adding this issue
needs more studies to explore.
Addressing the scholars, who represent various schools of Islamic jurisprudence
and sects, Prince Ghazi said it was hoped the meeting would come up with answers
to questions related to the topic of deliberation.
The institute’s director, Ibrahim Shabouh, outlined in his address the
accomplishments of the foundation, which undertakes major projects designed to
promote the true Islamic thought and help researchers access credible
information about the faith.
One of the institute’s major projects is the “Great Tafsirs of the Holy Koran”.
Altafsirs.com, now fully operational in Arabic and English, is a completely
free, nonprofit website that provides access to the largest online collection of
Koranic commentaries, translation, recitation and essential resources.
Towards the end of the opening ceremony, Prince Ghazi presented, on behalf of
the King, medals to member scholars from the institute for their services and
distinguished accomplishments.
He also presented membership certificates to scholars who have joined the
institute as full members and correspondents.
The King’s deputy also presented the prize of King Abdullah I Award. The first
prize was split between the Kingdom’s mufti Nuh Qudah and his predecessor Sheikh
Saeed Hijjawi, while Abdul Hakim Murad Wantar won the second prize.