Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Dr. Nash’at Ja‘far explains how Islām treated Ahl al-Kitāb as believers, not apostates.

Muslim thinker Dr.

Muḥammad ‘Imārah has come under fire for his book, ’Fitnat al-Takfīr Bayna al-

Shī‘ah wa-al-Wahābīyah wa-al-Sūfīyah’ [Reviewer: The Sedition of

Takfīr between Shī‘ah, Wahhābism and Ṣūfism], in which he

quoted texts that allegedly incite the killing of non-Muslims. Disregarding Dr. ‘Imārah’s "clear

and unequivocal apology" for the "unintentional" offence that his book had caused, a spokesman for the Coptic

Orthodox Church announced that the Ministry of Endowments’ decision to withdraw the book from markets was

"insufficient" to resolve the crisis.

In an interview, the

general director of the Religious Guidance

Department at the Ministry of Awqāf [Endowments], Dr.

Sālim ‘Abd al-Jalīl

argues that freedom of religion is guaranteed in Islam, since God

says: “There is no compulsion in religion. The

right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who

rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath

grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is

Hearer, Knower.” [Chapter of al-Baqara (the Cow)

2: 256, The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’

ān by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall].

Amid growing anger in the Muslim world over the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, views have differed on whether it is the right time for Muslims to enter into dialogue with Denmark on freedom of expression and respect for religions. This press review highlights the opinions of two leading Egyptian Muslims: ‘Amr Khālid and Yousuf al-Qaradāwī.

The article reports about a part of a TV program titled Q&A broadcast by the CNN in which the Karen Armstrong, the author of the book “Islam…A short history” provided answers to five questions raised about Islam by Americans. The Egyptian TV hosted Islamic preacher Dr. Muhammad Abu Lela in order to provide answers to the same questions answered by Armstrong.

The writer, Minister of Endowments, urges dialogue between different religions. He asserts that such dialogues will help in achieving peace and co-existence. He supports his argument with Qur´anic quotations.

The article gives the opinions of some Muslim scholars and thinkers on the issue of inter-religious dialogue. Some of them believe the dialogue to be important and necessary, if it aims at promoting the shared values between religions. Others believe it to be a crime and a waste of time, especially if its aim is to establish a new religion.

The article is an interview with the Minister of Awqaf, Dr. Muhammad Hamdi Zaqzouq. He speaks about methods for clarifying the true picture of Islam and Muslims. He also explains how to make dialogue with the ‘other’ in order to correct wrong opinions and pre-made wrong judgments.

A seminar on the dialogue between the Islamic and the Western civilizations was held in Greece. In the seminar, Dr. Abdel-Mo’ti Bayoumi stressed that Islam was not guilty of what happened in September 11. Islam rejects terrorism and jihad has nothing to do with terrorism. Islam also is a religion that encourages dialogue.