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International

“We will continue to work to activate a we brought together Muslim leaders and
scholars in Makkah to promote the values
constructive dialogue to find common of peace and coexistence and mediated the
solutions, taking into account religious «Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan», a
historic meeting between senior government
and cultural diversity and striving to and religious leaders from Afghanistan
protect human rights for all.” and Pakistan to establish a roadmap for
resolving the decades-long religious conflict
in Afghanistan, which has weighed heavily on
politics. This Declaration is still relevant in the
inclusive approach that focuses on spreading minds of scholars in Pakistan and Afghanistan
these values. despite the recent events in Afghanistan. The
word of the scholars is one and is influential in
We have established partnerships and all cases. There is a coordinating committee to
relationships with other leading faith-based work on making this Declaration effective.
institutions to promote interfaith cooperation and terrorists are a very small minority of the the true and moderate principles of Islam. We
and understanding. We have established Recently, we brought together 80 Sunni and world’s 1.8 billion Muslims who completely use our social media platforms to educate and
global education programs to stem the Shia leaders from Iraq to promote unity disavow and condemn such perverse acts. inform our millions of followers from around
roots of violent extremism, and we provide and coexistence. Islam is a religion of peace, Over the past few decades, extremists and the world about the values of Islam. These
critical humanitarian assistance to threatened harmony, and compassion, and all of these false flag carriers of Islam have carried out values focus on cooperation, empathy, peace
communities around the world, both Muslim core values are embodied in Mecca. attacks in France, the United States, the United and coexistence. This is not only important for
and non-Muslim, without discrimination. Kingdom, Germany, Spain and other Western our efforts, but also for our role as a leading
This is what it means to be Muslim. We will You have been working to promote tolerance countries. However, the majority of terrorist organization in Islam.
continue to work to activate a constructive and interfaith dialogue and to bring forward attacks have been perpetrated against Muslims
dialogue to find common solutions, taking a tolerant Islam at a time when fanaticism and Muslim majority countries. These heinous Therefore, I think there is a lot of information
into account religious and cultural diversity and religious fanatics are causing problems in and despicable crimes have received much about the true meaning of Islam if everyone
and striving to protect human rights for all. Africa and the Middle East. Where do you get media attention in the West. would open their eyes, ears and hearts. For
the courage to do your work? What is the force example, when I led a high-level Muslim
You live in a historic and legendary city: that drives you forward? Unfortunately, violence is often the only delegation to Auschwitz in 2019, some
Mecca. Many people want to visit Mecca, and As a religious leader, it is my duty to combat thing many in the West know or hear about people, especially within the Islamic world,
there are even those who dream of living there. hatred, racism, violent extremism and Muslims. It is the duty of the international were surprised by this important trip. They
Out of curiosity, tell us about life in Mecca? terrorism in all its forms and to categorically media to present a balanced picture of should not have been surprised because the
Mecca is the holiest place in Islam and has a reject its perverse and distorted ideology. As Muslims to accurately reflect our culture as a Holocaust is a heinous crime that shook the
special place in the hearts and minds of all a human being, my determination comes whole. In reality, Islam represents a vast and conscience of the world and left a harsh and
Muslims. It is the birthplace of our Prophet from my total commitment to my religion diverse group of culturally rich people who unforgettable impact. As I said earlier, anyone
Muhammad (may God’s peace and blessings be and the promotion of its true and moderate make vital contributions to their national who denies the Holocaust in the name of
upon him) and it is where our sacred religion principles. Extremists, with their hateful and societies. They include teachers, public sector Islam or tries to minimize the importance of
was born. It is where the Qibla is located: the exclusionary tendencies, have tried for long employees, firefighters, police officers, doctors, the Nazi atrocities is in fact falsifying history
direction of the Kaaba in the Holy Mosque, periods of time to hijack our religion to fan scientists, technicians, engineers, etc. We are and committing a crime against Islam on the
which is the direction to which all Muslims the flames of hatred and intolerance, not not a caricature and we ask everyone to take a other hand. This is the real Islam, far from any
turn in their prayers. Mecca is the destination accepting others and trying to deprive them closer look at the enriching diversity that goes other ideologically motivated concepts, false
of millions of Muslims who perform Hajj and of their rights, those rights and freedoms that under the name of «Islam» or «Muslim» and illusions or false theories.
Umrah every year, Hajj being one of the five are established by Islam. These militants use to look beyond the terminology to the people
pillars of Islam. There is no other place in the social networks and other virtual platforms themselves. You also work in the field of counter-terrorism
world with the sanctity and spirituality of Mecca to spread their ideology and falsely claim that and improving people’s lives in general,
where Muslims gather to renew their faith and they are inspired by our holy texts. One of the main tasks of the Muslim World especially regarding women’s rights, how do
spirit and feel more connected to God and the League and the Organization of Muslim you find the time to do all this?
fundamental principles of Islam regardless of People in the West tend to confuse Islam with Scholars is to correct misconceptions about You must be passionate about what you
class, ethnicity, nationality or gender. extremists and terrorism, whose fault is that? Islam and to constantly communicate with do and I am very interested in all of these
What is the role of the media? Why don’t we religious leaders, scientists, academics, tasks. However, our work at the Muslim
Mecca is a safe place that represents the true get information from you? media, «government» and «non-government» World League and the Organization of
essence of peace and harmony. Just this year, I think it is important to realize that extremists officials in the West and elsewhere to discuss Muslim Scholars cannot be done by one

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