MWL chief Mohammed Al-Issa receives Bridge Builder Award in Oslo
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Jeddah (RAHNUMA): Dr Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, General Secretary of the Muslim World League (MWL) and President of the Muslim Scholars Association, received the Norwegian Bridge Builder Award at a ceremony in Oslo.
He was one of three recipients of the award in 2021, which is awarded to people who have helped build bridges between individuals, nations and societies. The other two were Reverend Prof. Dr. Ioan Sauca, Acting Secretary General of the World Council of Churches, and Michael Melchior, Chief Rabbi and Head of the Religious Initiative for Peace in Israel.
The award committee described Al-Issa as a leading global force in moderation, saying he is a clear and distinct voice for peace and cooperation among nations and religions. “This distinction is a recognition and an encouragement to continue its great efforts to promote tolerance, respect and love.”
Al-Issa received a congratulatory cable from a number of Norwegian and European officials.
“This is the first time that the Norwegian capital has attended a meeting of high-level representatives of Islam, Judaism and Christianity to emphasize respect and tolerance between them, and express a clear ambition for greater cooperation interfaith, âthe committee said at the press conference. ceremony.
In his speech after receiving the award, Al-Issa explained that to speak of âbuilding bridgesâ is to speak of actively participating in the peace-building process.
The secretary general of the MWL warned against the unfair distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying: âIt is a pity that only the rich can get vaccinated, while the poor have to face the pain of poverty, the pain of disease, pain of cruelty, contempt and injustice. Just as illness does not differentiate between people, treatment should not differentiate between people. “
Regarding conflicts resulting from religious, cultural, political and other divisions, Al-Issa said, âDistancing ourselves from each other builds walls of fear, suspicion and misunderstanding. “
Al-Issa called for a dialogue that effectively addresses issues, not formal or courteous dialogue. He also called on followers of religions and civilizations to join forces, reject accusations and fight hate speech and acts of violence.
He said: âThe wise man’s choice after considering the painful chapters of history is to look to the future, instilling tolerance, coexistence, love and cooperation, for the events of history are in the hands of their owners and in the hands of those who came. after them. “
Al-Issa reiterated his call for peace, declaring: âWe want a sincere and lasting peace, made by a genuine will for peace, a peace that embraces history. This peace can only be achieved when it comes from the depths of the soul with its sincerity, purity and love for the good for all.
He said that sincere love in its fullest sense is the greatest peacemaker, stressing in this context the responsibility of family and education, from childhood to the early stages of youth. âThe educational process must focus on teaching shared values ââin an interactive way. “
Former Bridge Builder Award recipients include former US President Barack Obama and current head of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
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