US-Muslim dialogue stresses cross-cultural communication

CAIRO - 17 September 2017: “The vast majority of Muslims are interested in cultural communication with the non-Muslim world and extremism is an abnormal and isolated occurrence,” Mohammed Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League (MWL) said on Sunday.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

With the theme of “civilization communication between United States of America and the Islamic World”, the MWL held a two-day conference in New York, urging the use communication and new media to fight against terrorism.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

The conference also discussed the civilization of Islam and its pioneering historical experience of global openness, and of the cultural exchange concepts, said the MWL secretary general in a statement.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

He noted that effective and proper communication was the prime feature of Islamic civilization that emphasizes justice and equality.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

This conference united 450 scholars from 56 different countries and institutions based in the U.S and Islamic states.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

Issa added that “cultural communication generates understanding among nations and leads to the alliance of civilizations.” He said that extremism has only a minor foothold in the Muslim world. “The impact of intellectual and military terrorism and extremism is shrinking, in a clear and tangible way,” he said.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

“But what is important is our understanding of the need for co-existence and cooperation in light of this understanding to serve not just mutual interests, but to also serve all humanity, to promote social peace and intellectual security and to defeat evil, while enshrining the concepts of righteousness, charity, all without religious, sectarian, ethnic, political, intellectual or other distinctions,” Issa added.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today


Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said that the OIC firmly believes in the importance of dialogue and communication in promoting mutual respect and understanding, and continues to attach immense importance in engaging with international stakeholders, such as the U.S., to establish a meaningful and practical partnership that will serve as a framework for action.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

The communication and convoying of messages is the core theme of Islam which needs to be maintain effectively, says Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, president of Grand Mosque and Prophet Mosque affairs.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today

“Common work between the Muslim world and the U.S. would offer many fruits to the world on condition of cooperative work for the sake of humanity and man’s renaissance regardless of any political tendencies,” Al-Azhar deputy Abbas Shoman said during the conference.


Scholars, intellectuals, and Muslim clerics participate in the U.S.-Muslim cultural communication conference in New York- Egypt Today