Abu Dhabi
The newly launched World Council of Muslim Minorities based in Abu Dhabi will conduct research and studies on socio-political and economic issues of Muslim minorities across the world and help them integrate with their societies, while keeping their identity, a top official said here on Tuesday.
“I wish the council to get rid of stereotypes on Islam and build relationship with different religions and communities,” Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Tolerance, said in his opening speech at the International Congress on Muslim Minorities.
The council was launched in April to address challenges faced by Muslim minorities across the world and fulfil their ambitions.
Shaikh Nahyan said Abu Dhabi has established itself as the world’s capital of tolerance and peaceful co-existence by hosting the Council.
“The UAE adopts a forward-thinking vision based on considering that cultural pluralism and peaceful co-existence between all segments of society are prerequisites for development, progress and stability. In the UAE, we are benefiting from the moderate nature of Islam to convey a message of tolerance through our media and educational institutions,” he said.
The two-day congress aims to work out the charter of the Council that will cater to around 500 million Muslims working and living outside the Islamic world. More than 400 leaders of Muslim minorities in around 130 countries are attending the event that discusses the ways to prevent radicalisation of Muslim minorities across the globe.
Shaikh Nahyan said the Council will highlight that how Muslims across the globe are the carrying the message of peace and prosperity.
“We will build alliances and coalitions in international level to ensure decent lives for communities in general and Muslim communities in particular,” he said.
Global society is diversified and dealing with this diversity is an important challenge for everyone. Therefore, the relationship between majority and minority communities in a society is crucial. The problems in that relationship lead to conflicts, struggles and even displacement of people. This may further lead people to radicalisation and destructive thoughts, Shaikh Nahyan said.
However, the societies that accommodate the entire population become successful and advanced that are safe and peaceful.
The council will act as a platform to utilise the opportunities available for Muslim minorities across the globe and to know the challenges and use creative thinking to face them.
He said the congress brings an opportunity to find proper answers to some of the questions related to Muslim minorities. “I don’t claim I have answers to all. How do Muslims achieve a positive balance between [their status ] as member of a Muslim community and member of that society or nation while maintaining? What is their role to assure others in the community they are living in that they are active part of that community? How can Muslim communities strengthen the value of tolerance? What is the role of Muslims in combating Islamophobia, especially in Western societies? How can Muslim communities deal with social media messages that disseminate negative perception about Islam and Muslims? How can we prevent Muslims youth from being influenced by such negative messages?,” he asked.
He said thinkers and intellectuals have to find the answers.
