German role in boosting Islam's image hailed

The Sultanate of Oman has praised Germany for the key role it is playing in projecting and correcting the misconception of Islam in the West through encouraging scientific research projects within the context of boosting dialogue between civilisations.

Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Cabinet Affairs, yesterday met with a German delegation and discussed with them the best means to enhance dialogue and understanding between Muslim countries and the West.

The delegation comprised of Professor Dr Lutz Richter Bemburg, Head of the Oriential Studies Unit at the University of Tubingen in Stuttgart, Professor Dr Joseph Wan Ess of the same university.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Moha-mmed Al Salmy, Minister of Aw-qaf and Religious Affairs, also attended.

"The meeting dealt with Omani-German relations and the efforts being extended to highlight the teachings of Islam and the aspects of Islamic civilisations throughout ages and the best means of developing understanding between Muslim countries and the West," an official statement issued following the meeting said.

In their first visit to Oman, the two German professors praised the civilisational and architectural landmarks established in Oman and hailed the outcome of their formal round of talks with Sheikh Al Salmy and other senior officials.

Wolfgang Erck, the German Ambassador to Muscat who was also present at the meeting, told Gulf News that the visit had opened new avenues for cultural and educational co-operation between Oman and Germany."

The basic aim of the visit is to promote better understanding betw-een the West and the Islamic world against the backdrop of the September 11 attacks on the U.S.," he said.

He said the breakthrough was made late last year when Sheikh Al Salmy visited the University of Tubingen and other such institutions and invited Dr Lutz and Dr Joseph to Oman to shed light on Islam. "I am happy that the visit is producing results to mutual satisfaction."

Wolfgang Erk, who served previously in Lebanon, said the two researchers, who have many books on Islam to their credit, spoke on Sunday on 'Islamic philosophy', based on tolerance, brotherhood and co-existence, at the newly-opened Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

Yesterday, they visited the Sultan Qaboos University and the library at the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, besides holding discussions with Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri, Minister of Higher Education. In the evening, they were to lecture on "Education and universities in Islam in the Middle Ages."

Incidentally, the meeting of the German researchers with Sayyid Fahd coincided with a Royal Decree issued by Sultan Qaboos, endorsing the Organisation of Islamic Conference's pact signed by the Sultanate on December 3, 2001 on combating international terrorism.