Tripti Nath/ New Delhi

The Muslim World League Chief Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa on Wednesday spoke highly of India’s religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence, diversity and open-mindedness. Saluting the democracy and Constitution of India, the much-revered Islamic scholar acknowledged that Indian tradition has taught harmony to the world.

His powerful speech in Arabic won him a standing ovation from a distinguished gathering.

Al-Issa is considered a leading global voice on moderate Islam as well as a key figure in the fight against extremist ideology.

Addressing a gathering at the Vivekananda International Foundation in New Delhi on the third day of his maiden India visit, the widely travelled Secretary General of the Muslim World League, lauded Indian philosophy and tradition.“I am very impressed with the diversity of thought in India. If there is any one country that has contributed the most to enhancing mutual understanding, it is Hindustan (India). The peaceful coexistence that I witnessed in India is something I have never seen anywhere before,'' he said.

Speaking on the theme, “Dialogue for Harmony among Religions,” an event organised in collaboration with Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony (India), the Muslim World League Secretary General said that that absence of dialogue creates misunderstanding. “Whenever there is a lack of dialogue between two, it leads to misunderstandings and problems. What is happening is that religious leaders tend to be confimed to their own rooms and therefore do not understand each other.''

He suggested, "It is therefore important that a bridge for dialogue should be built. In order to prevent the civilizational clash, we need to protect and guide the next generation from childhood.''

Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, a columnist who translated Dr Al-Issa's speech in HIndustani told Awaz-The Voice that the Saudi leader spoke 'very literary and the finest standarized Arabic.''

Dr Al- Issa said that it is ironical that books and literature that spread negative propaganda of hatred were promoted across the world. On the other hand, books that carried positive, constrictive and pluralistic messages were not promoted. “If we restart promoting positive and pluralistic messages, we can undo the damage caused by hate propaganda.''

He said, “There are many kinds of dialogues- political, social, cultural and historical but they don’t succeed because their practical implantation is not visible on the ground. The essential principle of any dialogue is that it should be based on good intention. If it has a political or materialistic agenda, it cannot succeed. Dialogues succeed if they based on sound principles.

He said that it is matter of joy and pride for him to have represented the Muslim World League in meeting the President of India, the Prime Minister, political and religious leaders and intellectuals. He said that his organization has sought to engage religious leadership in different countries and even United Nations to deal with the current deteriorating situation.

Founded in 1962, the Muslim World League is an International Islamic NGO based in Mekkah, Saudi Arabia. The organization encourages what it calls the true message of Islam by advancing moderate values that promote peace, tolerance and love

The erudite leader who has served as Justice Minister in Saudi Arbia also took a dig at organisations that promote terrorism. He said, “Misconceptions, hate theories and wrong perceptions have expedited the road from radicalization to terrorism. To entrench power, many leaders have used hate narratives to ensure their own control and relevance.”

He cautioned that brute power that does not lead to civilizational supremacy. “ It is love, humanity and peaceful co existence that wins hearts.’’

Al-Issa emphasized, “We need to find a solution for the misconceptions that are being spread. We need to work on two fronts, namely, educating and protecting youth from propaganda.’’

His experience with Indian religious leaders was different. “There are few organizations that are promoting wrong thoughts. When I interacted with the religious leaders here, they showed me a different picture as they spoke of brotherhood, dialogue and peaceful coexistence. They never said anything like they rule over others. My interactions with the religious leadership in India made me realize that we need to uphold human values and stand together.''

He added, “We may have differences but we also sit together. We need to celebrate differences and still remain united. We believe that we are different parts of the same tree. Our religion is humanity. All of us are from the same genealogy.’’

ALSO READ: Charter of Makkah is Dr. Al-Issa’s contribution to making moderate Islam a popular idea

Prominent among those who graced the event were the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, the Indonesian Ambassador to India, Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi and the head of the India Islamic Cultural Centre, Mr. Sirajuddin Qureshi