MECCA: The Sultanate of Oman on Sunday cautioned against the challenges facing the world, including the disruption of value concepts, imbalance of morality, disputes and wars. These, it affirmed, led to humanitarian and environmental disasters and economic crises, undermined development efforts and threatened social ties.
This was stated by Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, who delivered Oman’s speech at the '9th Conference of Ministers of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in the Islamic World'.
The two-day conference, which began on Sunday in Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, deals with the role of the ministers concerned in consolidating the values of moderation.
“Our societies are not far from such challenges and their impacts because the Islamic world is an integral part of the fabric of the global community,” said Dr Al Maamari.
He added that Islamic societies have repeatedly found themselves facing polarisation policies and hate speech that portrayed our societies as if they were a burden on civilisation and modernity.
Dr Al Maamari said that such targeting of the Islamic world "quotes a misleading narrative of history". He warned that these negative claims focus on families, the first and fundamental building blocks in society. He noted that the action of targeting misuses the ongoing and expanding technological openness.
In this context, the minister highlighted the “Message of Oman” which, he said, laid emphasis on promoting a culture of peace and harmony and consolidating the principles of common human values.
In his speech, the minister touched on Oman’s efforts in spreading tolerance, coexistence and understanding, confronting stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and contributing to the reduction of hate speech and Islamophobia.
The conference aims to enhance Islamic solidarity and cooperation among member states in the fields of advocacy, endowments and Islamic affairs. It explores all opportunities to streamline religious discourse.
The conference also seeks ways to promote the sanctity of places of worship, supporting relations with Islamic organisations abroad to enable them to carry out their Islamic mission based on humanitarian values. — ONA
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