An article published on the mufti’s official website attempted to answer the many questions stemming from the now raging debate among Muslims after the meeting he had with Julian Leow Beng Kim last Thursday.
The article written by Umar Mukhtar Noor began by explaining Islam’s stance in matters of peace, especially concerning non-Muslims. “Islam is a religion of harmony and peace, and Islam is also a religion that emphasises ‘silaturrahim’ among its devotees, and brotherliness with non-Muslims.”
The article cited Verse 82 of Al-Maidah, which describes the close relationship that Muslims and Christians have always enjoyed, as well as the trustworthiness of the Christians.
“You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah, and you will find that the nearest of them in affection to the believers are those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.”
The article also claimed that Christians were more likely to acquiesce to truth and facts, an opinion cited from Tafsir al-Maraghi. “…they are more likely to submit to the truth when something turns out to be factual. This is because their religion promotes humility, submission and obedience to the ruler,” added the writer.
The writer also cited historical incidents concerning the relationship between Muslims and Christians, including the visit of a delegation of Arab Christians to see the Prophet.
“Al-Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah narrated in his Sahih hadith on the arrival of a Najran Christian delegation who wanted to meet Prophet Muhammad. They came to see the Prophet and the Prophet did not turn them away. A dialogue even took place between them…” explained the article.
The writer then related past meetings between ulamas and Catholic Popes, which were organised to bring the two religions and civilisations together.
“For example, Pope Francis’s visit to the Blue Mosque accompanied by Istanbul’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Rahmi Yaran. Similarly, the meeting between Pope Francis with the Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sheikh Mustafa Ceric. All of these meetings were organised to reach a consensus in upholding peace and prosperity, especially for countries with a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious makeup.”
“Islam is even open to the idea of holding discussions and dialogues with other religions, in order to reach common goals…” expressed the writer, saying it was hoped that the explanations provided would stop all further insinuations of Islam’s intolerance.