Programmes on religion have a crucial role to play

Dubai Religious programmes have to rise to the challenge of the current situation by letting go of the prevailing fanaticism, pre-judged opinions and deluded priorities, panellists said during a debate on the second day of the 11th Arab Media Forum.

Titled ‘Religious Discourse in the Arab Media: the Expected Role', the session examined the scope of religious discussions aired in the Arab media and the increasing use of language that promotes discord within the society.

Hassan Hanafi, Egyptian writer and professor of philosophy, said many programmes are promoting fanaticism and extremism instead of tolerance and openness.

More pressing issues

"Most religious programmes are about metaphysics whereas there are much more pressing issues to be discussed, such as the divisions between Muslims, and people's rights," he said.

Khalid Al Jundi, an Egyptian scholar and founder of Azhari Channel, said modernisation is a must, but it should be focused on habits and behaviour.

"Some of the people issuing fatwas and speaking on religious programmes seem to be unaware that people all over the world can hear them, and their discourse should not be limited to people from their region," he said.

On his part, the Archbishop of Sebaste, Palestine, Theodosius (Atallah) Hanna, said fanatic and intolerant religious discussion only serves occupation and colonialism.

Strong front

"[The Israeli] occupation does not want us, Muslims and Christians, to be brothers and live and work together because we would form a strong front, and every occupation in the world sought division between people based on religious and sectarian crowds," he said.

Archbishop Hanna, who came from Occupied Jerusalem, was repeatedly interrupted by cheers from the audience as he spoke about defying occupation and brotherhood between Muslim and Christian Arabs.

On his part, Moroccan writer Abdul Elah Bel Keziz said there was an unhealthy alignment between media and religion.

The latter is being exploited and sensationalised leading to extreme outcomes such as stringent fatwas, which conflict with the future objectives of the Arab world, he said.