Pope John Paul II invites Representatives of Al-Azhar to Pray for Peace in Assisi
January 24, 2002
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In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Pope John Paul II invited the Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar for Dialogue - along with more than 40 delegations representing a dozen religions - to pray for peace on January 24, 2002 in Assisi, Italy and solemnly repudiate any form of violence carried out in the name of God.
Dr. Aly Elsamman, President of ADIC, Advisor to Grand Imam Mohamed Tantawy, and Vice President of Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar for Dialogue with Monotheistic Religions was sent by Grand Imam Mohamed Tantawy to delivering the following message to the delegations present at Pope John Paul II’s Prayer for Peace in Asissi.
In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent.
I wish to thank his Holiness Pope John Paul II who today has gathered the representatives of the different religious traditions, all moved by the same ardor to build a better world. Muslim belief gives us indications to enlighten us on our journey towards peace, which I will very briefly present to you.
First, God created all human beings from one father and one mother:
“O men! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single being and then from this created its mate and spread from these two many men and women. Fear God! You demand your mutual rights and be mindful of the womb that bore you. God ever watches over you.”
(Sura 4 – Women: 1)
Second, all monotheistic religions revealed by God to his honorable prophets are in agreement on two essential points: Devotion to and worship of the One and Only One, as God has said:
“The same religion has been established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah, which we have revealed to you (Mohammed), and which we enjoined to Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: namely that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein. To those who worship other things than God, difficult is the way to which you call them. God chooses and calls to this religion those whom he pleases, and guides to himself those who turn to him.”
(Sura 42 – Consultation: 13)
Respect for Values
God revealed monotheistic religion for humanity’s happiness. Religions preach all the values of peace and prosperity, as well as the exchange of all the beneficial deeds authorized by God, cooperation among all peoples fostering voluntary service and piety, not offense.
Third, God has created us in this life so that we may know one another. He has said:
“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes, that you may know one another. The most noble of you in God’s sight is the one among you who is most careful of his duty. God is the one who knows and who is well informed.”
(Sura 49 - Inner Apartments: 13)
Fourth, all the monotheistic religions preach that the humans being should support law and justice, restoring the legitimate proprietors to their rights. On this occasion Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has the pleasure of paying tribute to the Vatican for its honorable support of the Palestinian people.
Fifth, in Egypt, for 14 centuries, Muslims and Christians have lived as brothers and sisters under the same sky, in the same land, as equals before the law and in responsibility. Everyone practices their religion as the Holy Qura’n says:
“There is no compulsion in religion. The right way is distinct from error. Whoever does not believe in idols but believes in God has laid hold of the firmest handle that never breaks. God is the one who hears and knows everything.”
(Sura 2 - The Cow: 256)
Al-Azhar and its ulemas, in this day of prayer, join themselves with conviction to the call for immediate peace, inseparably bound to justice.
Dr. Aly Elsamman, President of ADIC, Advisor to Grand Imam Mohamed Tantawy, and Vice President of Permanent Committee of Al-Azhar for Dialogue with Monotheistic Religions was sent by Grand Imam Mohamed Tantawy to delivering the following message to the delegations present at Pope John Paul II’s Prayer for Peace in Asissi.
In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent.
I wish to thank his Holiness Pope John Paul II who today has gathered the representatives of the different religious traditions, all moved by the same ardor to build a better world. Muslim belief gives us indications to enlighten us on our journey towards peace, which I will very briefly present to you.
First, God created all human beings from one father and one mother:
“O men! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single being and then from this created its mate and spread from these two many men and women. Fear God! You demand your mutual rights and be mindful of the womb that bore you. God ever watches over you.”
(Sura 4 – Women: 1)
Second, all monotheistic religions revealed by God to his honorable prophets are in agreement on two essential points: Devotion to and worship of the One and Only One, as God has said:
“The same religion has been established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah, which we have revealed to you (Mohammed), and which we enjoined to Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: namely that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein. To those who worship other things than God, difficult is the way to which you call them. God chooses and calls to this religion those whom he pleases, and guides to himself those who turn to him.”
(Sura 42 – Consultation: 13)
Respect for Values
God revealed monotheistic religion for humanity’s happiness. Religions preach all the values of peace and prosperity, as well as the exchange of all the beneficial deeds authorized by God, cooperation among all peoples fostering voluntary service and piety, not offense.
Third, God has created us in this life so that we may know one another. He has said:
“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes, that you may know one another. The most noble of you in God’s sight is the one among you who is most careful of his duty. God is the one who knows and who is well informed.”
(Sura 49 - Inner Apartments: 13)
Fourth, all the monotheistic religions preach that the humans being should support law and justice, restoring the legitimate proprietors to their rights. On this occasion Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has the pleasure of paying tribute to the Vatican for its honorable support of the Palestinian people.
Fifth, in Egypt, for 14 centuries, Muslims and Christians have lived as brothers and sisters under the same sky, in the same land, as equals before the law and in responsibility. Everyone practices their religion as the Holy Qura’n says:
“There is no compulsion in religion. The right way is distinct from error. Whoever does not believe in idols but believes in God has laid hold of the firmest handle that never breaks. God is the one who hears and knows everything.”
(Sura 2 - The Cow: 256)
Al-Azhar and its ulemas, in this day of prayer, join themselves with conviction to the call for immediate peace, inseparably bound to justice.