Discussing shared interest, putting aside different school of thought

Jakarta, NU Online
International conference of ulema (Islamic scholars) and intellectuals which will be held in Jakarta on 19-20 December ahead will take up various issues facing Muslims around the world. Those attending the world forum will focus more on shared interest and put aside different school of thought and ideology.

Organizing committee chief, Dr Arif Zamhari, made the remarks at the office of the International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS) in Jakarta on Thursday (10/12), saying that the conference would take a theme "Tahqiq al-ukhuwwah wa wihdah al-ummah al-islamiyyah" (Upholding Solidarity and Unity in the Muslim World).<>

"The conference will discuss various important issues relating to Muslims regardless of (their) school of thought. Human issues are not always related to different school of thought. Issues facing Muslims in Denmark and Swiss for instance, should also be discussed by Muslims sans frontieres," said Arif on the sidelines of a preparation prior to the conference which will reportedly be held in the Jakarta's Sultan hotel.

Arif was of the view that Muslims had a dark history as a result of different school of thought as well as ideology. "But this dispute has not  been what intended by Muslims themselves."

"Muslims have had their own history of dispute especially since the death of the fourth khalifah, namely Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib. But we should not be trapped into the (dark) history," Arif said, adding that such dispute was not what called as sunnatullah.

Reportedly, the NU forum will be participated by some 100 ulema and intellectuals from such countries as Iran, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

Some figures such as Dr. Muhammad Salim Al-Awwa (Egypt), Dr. Bassam Sabbagh (Syiria), and HE Ayatollah Muhammad Ali at-Taskiri (Iran) will also attend at the conference.

Arif said that the target of the meeting was creating an understanding among Muslims from various schools of thought and ideologies. "Hopefully there will be unity and solidarity among Muslims to address any challenge jointly so that Muslims will be able to contribute to a better world civilization," he said. (nam)