New Delhi

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL), today said he appreciates India’s long history and diversity and the fact that despite being a Hindu majority nation it has a secular constitution.

He was addressing a meeting of the intellectuals, academicians, and religious leaders at the Indian Islamic cultural center organized by the Khusro Foundation here on Tuesday. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, was also present at the occasion.

“India is a great model of coexistence for the world,” he said while speaking about the negative tendencies rising in many parts of the globe.

The Saudi-Arabia-born Dr. Al-Issa said Indian wisdom has done good to humanity.

Secretary General, @MWLOrg_en , @MhmdAlissa shares stage with NSA, #AjitDoval#diversity #Cultures #SaudiArabia #peace pic.twitter.com/GtfKILbl6o

— Khusro Foundation ख़ुसरो फ़ाउण्डेशन خسرو فاؤنڈیشن (@Khusrofounda) July 11, 2023

He said ever since he landed in India Monday evening, he had been meeting a lot of Indians of all religions and he found their deep sense of optimism.

Speaking in the Arabic language he also appreciated the Indian Muslims. He said the “Muslim component of the Indian society also contributes to Indian diversity and coexistence.”

He said the “Need of the hour is to establish communication between cultures (India and Islam)’. As the leader of the MWL. He wants to strengthen understanding between faiths.

Dr Al-Issa said as head of the Makkah-based Muslim World League he has alliances with many cultures around the world. In India, he said, Hindus being in the majority, MWL has collaborated with many Hindu organizations.

He said he has a deep association with Sadguru (Jaggi) and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, two Indian spiritual leaders, and engaged with them regularly. “We have many common values with many Hindu leaders and we respect the differences.

Dr. Al-Issa said India’s model of diversity and coexistence of various cultures is the way forward for the world. He said the diversity of India is a great asset and it should never be left unutilized.

He said this stage was very important and he would like to give a message to the global community from there. He said tolerance and coexistence are not something that should be talked only about at conferences, but they should be implemented on the ground and become part of our lives.

Dr Al-Issa said he had noticed the rising negative trends in the world and these have to be dealt with unity of faiths. “We have to work for strengthening the common values.”

He said it was to counter these negative trends and the doomsday predictions of the clash of civilizations that the United Nations had launched initiatives like the Alliance of Civilisations and Building Bridges between the East and the West.”

In India, he said, diversity is a great way to protect Constitution and stability.

Dr Issa, who is seen as a promoter of the moderate face of Islam, said that community leaders have a role to promote tolerance and coexistence all over the world. “We have to understand that children need to be taught this from early life.”

 He said in the modern world, “We need alliances to shape our destiny and we have to do our part for a better future.”

Explaining Islam, he said Islamic culture is open to love, engagement, and dialogue. The Muslims are not only supposed to appreciate coexistence but also it’s their religious obligation.” Islam is not only about tolerance but also about forgiving others.

He said Islam teaches us to show respect to one with whom we differ. He asked the 1,8 billion Muslims of the world to become representatives of the true message of Islam

Speaking of MWL’s association with India, he said “India is an inspiration to the rest of the world for being open to dialogue; our partnership with India is a message to the whole world.”

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He said the very fact that India is open to visits from everyone his presence in India is a message to the world.