July 1, 2004

Jordan Times

Enlightening Forum
Editorial

The just-ended conference in Amman on "Moderation in Islam," organised by the Amman-based Moderation Assembly for Thought and Culture, is indeed a successful effort to promote a better understanding of Islamic tenets of tolerance, moderation and freedom of thought. The decision to establish a permanent assembly, called "Global Forum for Moderation in Islam," and based temporarily in Jordan, brings to fruition the sincere endeavours to take Muslims back to the true path of Islam at all levels. When this assembly is created, it is expected to forge a link with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), with a view to establish cooperation and coordination between the two forums. And when the time is appropriate, the two organisations can be expected not only to establish institutional relations, but also to unite on all fronts. The OIC must carry the banner of moderation in Islam; the proposed assembly aims first and foremost at promoting tolerance, democratic pluralism and draw a clear distinction between legitimate resistance and liberation and terrorism.

This effort that the Moderation Assembly for Thought and Culture has spearheaded requires a broader public participation. The organisers of this new process don't need to convert the already converted people. Their message must be taken to the Muslims everywhere, and strive to reach the grassroots level.

Religious people who deliver the Friday sermons must the first to be targeted by this new perspective. Students at all levels of education should also figure on the list of individuals who need to be inculcated with the messages of moderation and tolerance.

The mass media would also be expected to pick up the message and further disseminate it across the Muslim world. The process of moderation was started by the Moderation Assembly to combat extremism and radicalism in the Islamic world. Let's hope that the torch of tolerance and moderation will be carried from one Muslim country to the other as soon as possible, to help enlighten believers in a religion that already holds such beliefs from which, unfortunately, some have deviated.