Al-Issa: Values of Islam Foster Harmony, Eschew Hatred and Division

Muslim World League head Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa gives Arafat sermon at Nimrah Mosque in Makkah during Hajj. (SPA)
Muslim World League head Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa gives Arafat sermon at Nimrah Mosque in Makkah during Hajj. (SPA)
TT
20

Al-Issa: Values of Islam Foster Harmony, Eschew Hatred and Division

Muslim World League head Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa gives Arafat sermon at Nimrah Mosque in Makkah during Hajj. (SPA)
Muslim World League head Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa gives Arafat sermon at Nimrah Mosque in Makkah during Hajj. (SPA)

Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Member of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Mohammad Al-Issa called upon the faithful to hold fast to the sublime values of Islam that promote harmony and compassion, and avoid all that lead to dissent, animosity and division among the believers.

He said this while delivering the Arafat sermon at Namirah Mosque on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“You must realize that hastening to do good things includes being keen to comply with the values taught by Islam; values that soundly mold the conduct of a Muslim and refine them in the best way,” said Al-Issa.

“Among the values taught by Islam are avoiding all that leads to dissent, animosity, or division; and instead, ensuring that our interactions are dominated by harmony and compassion,” he called on the pilgrims.

Al-Issa, who delivered the Arafat sermon for the first time, emphasized the importance of Islam’s five pillars of faith.

Addressing the pilgrims, he said Allah has honored them with the opportunity to perform Hajj this year and urged them to follow the guidance of Prophet Mohammed when completing their rituals.

He also urged Muslims to continue to carry out good deeds and treat others well, including those of other beliefs.

“All people, whether Muslims or not, respect those with good manners, for sound conduct is a high human value,” he said.

“Love and compassion should prevail in our dealings, and it is part of our faith that we all together unite,” he said, adding that cooperation can preserve the Muslim community’s cohesion.

“This proves the fact that Islam is an all-encompassing spirit that includes goodness to all humanity. Our Prophet has said: ‘The best people are those who are the most beneficial to people,’” added Al-Issa.



French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Option Ineffective in Israel-Iran Conflict 

French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Option Ineffective in Israel-Iran Conflict 

French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave said Paris believes that military intervention will not resolve the “problem” over Iran’s nuclear program.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said such a solution was “ineffective” because it cannot completely eliminate Iran’s nuclear knowledge or ensure the complete destruction of all of its nuclear facilities.

Moreover, he warned against attempts to change the Iranian regime from the outside, saying it may have dire consequences, such as the collapse of the state, civil war, instability, regional conflicts, migration crises and raise terrorism threat levels.

This instability may also impact the security of the Gulf region and extend to Europe as well, he warned.

Damage to Iran’s nuclear sites may lead to dangerous radiation in the region that may spread to other regions, including Gulf waters, he went on to say.

Furthermore, military intervention will pose major dangers to regional stability, the security of France’s partners and allies in the region, and the Hormuz Strait. It may lead to attacks on American military bases and energy infrastructure, warned Maisonnave.

A diplomatic solution is the best way forward, he stressed, explaining that it will lead to a viable and permanent solution that enjoys international backing. This solution must tackle technical issues, such as enrichment levels. It also averts the grave consequences of military escalation.

A diplomatic solution must ensure that International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors are allowed to tour nuclear facilities at any time and without prior notice, he added.

This is the path that France chose in the past and that it believes is the best way to reach a permanent and peaceful solution, he stressed.

At the same time, the ambassador acknowledged that the Iranian nuclear program was a dangerous threat to French and European security interests, as well as to countries of the Gulf given its potential to destabilize the region and the “security of our allies”.

This concern deepened after IAEA inspectors were for years unable to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, he remarked.

France and European countries are very concerned that the program was not designed with purely civilian purposes, Maisonnave said.