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GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE

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Question: How would we define a progressive Muslim? CPNN article: Progressive Muslims
CPNN Administrator
Posted: Dec. 31 1999,17:00

This discussion question applies to the following articles:

Progressive Muslims
Les ONG font campagne pour la paix en Mauritanie
NGOs push peace in Mauritania
Cérémonie officielle : Le Khalife général des mourides exhorte à la culture de la paix  [Senegal]
Official ceremony of the Grand Magal of Touba, Senegal: The Caliph of the Murids Urges the Culture of Peace
Lauréats du Prix UNESCO-Sharjah pour la culture arabe
2013 UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture
Islamic scholars establish prizes for peace, recommend Muslim peace teams
Congrès international féminin pour une culture de paix
Women's International Congress for a Culture of Peace
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Joe
Posted: Oct. 24 2004,23:15

Cheers for this publication for breaking down stereotypes of the 'other'.

To me, it also reflects the battle within major world religions between their humane and justice-orientated core traditions and their hijacking by conservatives and the power elite. This is especially salient for us in the U.S.

A recent CNN program ('The Fight Over Faith') reported that as many as 40% of Americans identify as 'evangelical', while as much as 89% of the country identifies as 'christian'. Conservative evangelicals have been working hard to break down barriers between church and state and are using 'wedge' value-based issues (such as restricting gay rights) to influence political contests. Significantly, many of these evangelicals are also strict fundamentalists who assert that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ (everyone else is going to He|| and needs to be saved; battling this evil is part of their messianic calling). This is obviously very dangerous for a pluralistic society.

It will be up to other people of faith in this country to overcome this dangerous fundamentalism and re-assert Christianity's authentic message of peace, brotherhood, understanding, and humility (and ecumenicalism). I would refer those interested to the following web sites:

The Jesus Factor:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/view/

Understanding the Christian Right:
http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v15n1/PE_v15n1_TOC.html
[all materials on publiceye.org are excellent]


Progressive Traditions in Christianity:
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

http://www.jesusnorepublican.org

http://www.opednews.com/goodenVanHorn_091104_bush_christianity.htm


Edited by Joe on Oct. 24 2004,23:22
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CPNN Administrator
Posted: Mar. 15 2013,13:28

Here is a rough translation of

Ramadan: the culture of peace

by Mustapha Cherif

Fasting is to be at peace. If someone tries to bother us, we can answer quietly: "I am fasting. "The concept of peace in Islam is central, in addition to being one of the beautiful names of God, Salam, the importance of which is at least equal to Rahman, the Merciful.

Ramadan calls, first of all, for a culture of peace.  This concept is directly related to living together in peace. In this sense, peace requires recognition of the other, keeping in mind that there is no peace without justice. The action reflecting this orientation is that of sharing, which must be conducted in a reasonable manner.  To accept differences, personally, in human relations, needs to be with an open heart and mind. Hospitality is a virtue.

The responsibility of the Muslim imperative of justice

The concept of peace in Islam is greater than any other: it is religious, human and cultural and beyond.

The qualities of the believer, generous, hospitable, good, all converge in the sense of achieving peace vis-à-vis oneself, others and the world. The Constitution of Medina established by the Prophet reflects the concept of peace and the hospitality to those who are different.  That which defines, first of all, the identity of human beings in the city is not the confession, worship or religion, but citizenship.

Indeed, secularism and human rights are affirmed. The friendship between human beings in general and in particular between the "People of the Book," the monotheistic brothers who recognize Abraham, is fundamental. In Islam, the recognition of the right of difference is essential. In addition, the secular dimension is recognized.  We can say that the sky does not over-ride the earth: man is not bound by faith, but, on the contrary, he is accountable. Revelation leaves open spaces where the responsibility of the Muslim can and must assert itself. Each of us is required to examine our own conscience and contribute to the culture of peace.

When we find ourselves in a time of crisis with a weakening of social ties, it is then that we must seek forms of solidarity and coexistence.  Coexistence between citizens is based on much more than mere tolerance. Sometimes the complexities of history have compromised these meanings and distorted these references. The responsibility lies with us as individuals and not with the text or His Messenger.

The conduct of the Muslim, especially during Ramadan, instead of falling into error, should be shaped by the concept of peace and justice. The insistence of the Qur'an about justice, fairness and equality should make Muslims sensitive to these dimensions as essential to our social relations.

The character, mind and behavior of Muslims can only be profoundly marked by the imperative of justice. A Muslim is not fully a believer until he applies justice and equity.  To be a righteous man is of major importance in the Qur'an.

In law, the world of Islam is supposed to be the world of justice.  Justice and Islam are theoretically synonymous. To be just, according to the Qur'an, is to be pious. "Justice is close to piety."  Furthermore, the Qur'an states:" Say: My Lord demands equity "and again:" You who believe, testify to equity.  Even if others hold grudges, do not yourself fall into injustice. Be fair. '

It remains to measure the distance between the principle of justice in everyday practice, and the search to understand the real causes of deviations. The Qur'an addresses humanity, the last sura repeated five times the concept of humanity, people, beings. Revelation is the people as a whole. We must never be opposed to difference, but we must oppose injustice.

In the Qur'an, everyone is free and responsible for his actions. Nobody can boast of irresponsibility or unconsciousness. For most of the themes and issues, the Qur'an makes it easy to take into account the variety of situations and allows us freedoms to reflect, discern, adapt and evolve. Its provisions favor the conditions of justice and coexistence, change and metamorphosis, and it helps us distinguish right from wrong, the lawful and the unlawful, so that we may be good citizens.

The ijtihad, a free reflection to be able to live together

For three centuries, Muslim women have been troubled by the marginalization of their thoughts and knowledge, disturbed by the internal problems of development and the problematic trajectory of the powers that agress them. They have difficulty to interpret this. Today, the majority have recognized the need to return to creativity.

For the question of interpretation, ijtihad is central. If we want to grow, to develop, it is necessary to think, learn and educate.  All truth, including revealed truth, is understandable if we think within a context where the clear and the less clear are interwoven and between the lines.  It is true that we cannot attack the block with a bludgeon, but we must find meaning gradually.

The ijtihad is at the heart of thought. It requires us to open our minds, to take responsibility, to humanize and to innovate.  It is essential to adapt ijtihad to the circumstances of modern life. To do this, we must clarify the meaning of contemporary ijtihad.

Not to accommodate to the contemporary epoch or bend to the demands of materialism, but above all to respect the human spirit.  One must distinguish positive aspects from negative aspects on each occasion and reinvent a culture that is open, living and humane.  And there should be no doubt that men should not turn their backs on the world.

It must be emphasized that ijtihad which is reasonable does not turn its back on the times, but at the same time does not conform at any price.  There is light and dark in all periods. We understand, above all, a ijtihad that is creative, faithful and innovative at the same time.

Neither close-mindedness nor dilution. An intellectual must be a renovator, a spokesman for the scholarly interests of society and preserve scrupulous.y its interests and aspirations. He must meet the cultural needs of the people, their internal voice of peace, a life that is open, balanced, responsible and dignified. For Islam, contrary to the claims of extremists,  this is not only possible but vital.

The exegesis of texts must be based on adequate knowledge of scientific and linguistic rules, ethical and fundamental knowledge and values. Any interpretation should facilitate rather than complicate. It should not contradict healthy reason or violate firmly established scientific facts. While making the efforts of research and reflection, pushing deconstruction, searching for truth and right opinion, one should be detached from one's own passions and preferences.

The intellectual must defend peace and justice and the general interest and rely on reason to seek the common good and understand the issues of our times, the issues that are emerging being aware of their demands. This approach allows us to recognize new contexts and put them to the test with an open and insightful mind.   It is our duty to contribute to the emergence and consolidation of a culture of peace and social cohesion.

The generic word, ijtihad, thus refers to the principle of free and responsible thinking  which is demanded of competent intellectuals so that we can participate in the renewal and invention of new concepts, new practices, and interpretation of the Qur'anic discourse and Sunnah adapted to our time. This aspect makes ijtihad open to evolution and responsive to the interests of individuals and societies, accommodating all times and all places.

The ijtihad is this act of renewal which distinguishes between opportunities and uncertainties, between what hinders and what allows progress. We must not only accept but create changes to control our history, in the general interest of society to preserve its balance and stability and strengthen its open commitment to modernity and civilization.

The ijtihad is effective, efficient and relevant to the society, if it is practiced with transparency, respect for common values, taking into account the secular, the common memory and respect for human dignity. This is what is valid in all times and in all places. Because Islam came to build peace, the open-minded individual, and a just, balanced society with a goal of humanization. Linking science and spirituality, modernity and authenticity, educating and cultivating is to assume with vigilance and wisdom to live together in justice and to make sense of the challenges of the time.


* Mustapha Cherif is a philosopher, university professor and author of books on coexistence and dialogue between cultures.
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