US pro-Israel policy fueling Arab ire: Prince Saud

RIYADH - Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Saud Al- Faisal said on 23 October that the US failure to rein in Israeli military actions against Palestinians was poisoning Arab opinion toward Washington.

In a Reuters interview, Prince Saud also said he was optimistic there would not be a US-led attack on Iraq, because of US willingness to work through the United Nations.

Asked about anti-American attitudes in Saudi Arabia, Prince Saud said only one thing prompted criticism and this was US support for Israel.

He said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon claimed he had full backing for his actions against Palestinians following a string of bombing. "If this is not true, we think the United States should deny it. But Sharon says he has the go-ahead of the United States and this is what is poisoning attitudes in the Arab world," Prince Saud said, adding that Israel used US planes and military equipment for its campaign against Palestinians. Asked what Washington should do, Prince Saud said: "Stop Israeli attacks on the Palestinians and start serious negotiations for peace."

At least 2,000 Palestinians have been killed since the uprising began in September 2000.

Prince Saud said he hoped US President George W. Bush's willingness to work through the United Nations on Iraq would not only lessen the chance of war but also remove it altogether.

Asked if he believed there would be no war, he replied: "Of course, I am optimistic. I hope it will lead to a peaceful solution. That is the best of all worlds." He said he saw no reason for military action against Iraq if Baghdad responded positively to the UN resolutions as it had promised fellow Arab countries. "Indeed that is what the US president has indicated. His intent is not military action."

The UN Security Council has been deadlocked for a month on a new resolution on sending arms inspectors into Iraq to look for weapons of mass destruction, with strong opposition from veto-wielding nations France and Russia to a tough US draft. - Rtr.

MWL calls for unity among Muslims

HALIFAX (the United Kingdom) - Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsin Al- Turki, who was recently on a trip in the United Kingdom to encourage Da'wah work among the Muslim communities, inaugurated a mosque and a school of the Ahl Al-Hadith Central Society in Halifax recently.

A formal oratory ceremony was observed on the occasion during which the speakers rendered welcome speeches and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of the MWL in the service of Islamic communities worldwide, giving a special tribute to the secretary- general for patronizing this ceremony and for his generous contribution. They also commended the MWL's role in boosting joint Islamic work and deepening relations and understanding among the Muslim societies.

The Imam and Khateeb of the mosque thanked and admired the Saudi government for its efforts, support and generous help and assistance in the service of Islam and Muslims all over the world.

He also praised the great role played by the MWL in serving Islamic communities and Muslim minorities by contributing toward the building of mosques, schools and cultural centers in order to strengthen these communities and enable them to advocate true Islamic values and teachings.

On his part, the Emir of Ahl Al-Hadith Society in Pakistan delivered a speech on the importance of the mosque's message in deepening the Islamic thought and highlighting their role in propagating Islam. He was referring to the smear campaign by certain Western media against Muslims following the events of September 11 and stressing that the main concern of these societies should now shift to correcting the misconceptions which certain quarters were trying to spread about Islam and the Muslims for attaining their vested interests.

On his part, Dr. Al-Turki called on the Muslims to unify their ranks and their role in the face of those campaigns and to cooperate with the society, in which they were living, deepen relations and good understanding and reflect a good image of Islam.

In another ceremony marking the inauguration of the Ahl Al- Hadith Society mosque, Dr. Al- Turki affirmed the importance of cooperation among the members of the Muslim community and urged them to pay more attention to mosques and to advocate the message of peace and tolerance.

Similar ceremonies were also held in other cities where Dr. Al- Turki inaugurated new mosques and Islamic centers. The ceremonies were attended by a number of scholars and other dignitaries and senior officials as well as leaders of religious groups.

Meanwhile in Birmingham, Dr. Al-Turki opened the 26th annual symposium for Islamic Da'wah and Guidance organized by Ahl Al-Hadith Central Society entitled "Islamic Call in the Western Society: Difficulties and Solutions" at the King Fahd Mosque - an affiliate of the society.

Dr. Al-Turki delivered a speech highlighting the importance of Islamic Da'wah and stressing the necessity to meet the challenges.

He said the MWL is concerned about coordination among Islamic societies and communities for upgrading their Islamic activities stressing that Muslims in those countries should abide by the rules and regulations and should execute their programs according to priorities.

Israeli army kills toddler, 5 others in Palestine

GAZA CITY - Three Palestinians, including a toddler, were killed on 13 October when Israeli forces dynamited a house in the Gaza Strip, while two Palestinian gunmen died in a shootout in southern Israel.

Palestinian medical sources said the three-year-old Tawfiq Bereka was killed by falling masonry as Israeli soldiers dynamited a nearby house with a charge so strong it destroyed his house and the one next door in Rafah, a battered border town that has been rocked by frequent raids recently.

Another 30 people were injured in the blast, set off by Israeli forces. Palestinian officials said 55 buildings were severely damaged by the blast.

A Palestinian woman was killed and two girls wounded on 13 October when an Israeli tank opened fire with a heavy machinegun on a taxi near the northern West Bank town of Jenin.

Earlier, another Palestinian was shot dead in the town as Israeli troops undertook searches in the area, using tanks and bulldozers. Four people were wounded by gunfire in the incursion. Later in the day, two Palestinians trying to break into Israel through the Egyptian border were intercepted and killed by Israeli forces.

Army radio said on 13 October that US Ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer had passed on a message to Sharon criticizing the former general for refusing to relieve conditions in the territories and stem the killing of civilians. After a Cabinet meeting on 13 October to mull the US demands Defense Minister Ben Eliezer said he was planning to revive a stalled plan whereby Israeli forces pull out of reoccupied towns if Palestinian police curb anti- Israeli attacks.

The plan was implemented successfully in Bethlehem and was due to continue in Gaza and Hebron, but collapsed amid renewed fighting in Gaza.

Israel tightens grip on Jenin

Meanwhile, Israel tightened its grip on Jenin on 26 October, scouring the battered West Bank city for Palestinian freedom-fighters responsible for bombings as a US peace mission wound down indecisively.

The Israeli army said it detained six Palestinians in and near Jenin. Hundred of troops backed by heavy armor rolled into Jenin on 25 October, commandeering buildings, searching homes and imposing curfews. The army drew fire from gunmen and also on the diplomatic front from the European Union, which urged restraint. Israeli military chiefs said the Jenin operation, dubbed "Vanguard", would last as long as necessary to flush out freedom-fighters waging a Palestinian uprising for independence with bombings.

Palestinian medics said six people were seriously wounded in clashes with the army-violence, which overshadowed the end of a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories by US envoy William Burns.

Burns, who flew to Yemen on 26 October, came with a "roadmap" for peace based on a Middle East policy speech last June by US President George W. Bush.

Palestinian Acting Labor Minister Ghassan Al-Khatib said on 26 October the peace plan was doomed to failure because of Israeli resistance and a lack of resolve on the part of Washington.

"The plan has no future because Israel will reject it and the United States is not ready to do anything to push it forward, and that is why the Palestinian position is irrelevant," he said.

Khatib ripped apart the US- backed plan for "dictating conditions on reform, including on the legislative elections and the nomination of a prime minister. All of this is internal Palestinian affairs. We reject such dictates." - Agencies

IN BRIEF

MWL condemns attack in Bali

MAKKAH - The Muslim World League (MWL), on 16 October, strongly condemned the Bali bomb blasts that killed 188 people and wounded 300 others as a "terrorist attack unacceptable to Islam".

"The terror attack carried out by terrorists in the Indonesian island of Bali is a crime not endorsed by Islam, which carries a message of mercy, tolerance and cooperation among nations," MWL Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki said.

"Muslims around the world reject acts of terror and call for fighting against it to rid humanity of this evil work," he said, adding the MWL aimed at promoting Islamic unity. He said violence and the murder of innocent people were acts strongly forbidden in Islam, which bars the killing of any human being regardless of race, creed or nationality without a conviction.

English-language Islamic channel  to start in Ramadhan

DUBAI - The world's first English-language Islamic satellite television channel, Al-Majd 2, would start broadcasting on the first day of Ramadhan, the fasting month.

"As the majority of the world's Muslims are non-Arabs we felt it was natural to launch this channel in English," said Wajdi Al-Ghazzawi, chief executive officer of Al- Majd 2.

"There are approximately 100 million satellite TV households across the Islamic world," Al-Ghazzawi said in a statement, adding that transmission will begin from studios in Dubai, Riyadh and Cairo.

Ramadhan is expected to begin in Saudi Arabia from 6 November. - AFP

WAMY establishes school  for orphans in Palestine

GAZA STRIP - The Al-Salah Charitable School is the first and the only such school in Gaza Strip, which had been established in particular for Palestinian orphans to meet their special needs with emphasis on religious, educational, cultural and health aspects in order to qualify them to play active role in the society.

The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) had contributed over SR190,000 to the establishment of this school. It is situated in the north of Deer Albalah in Gaza Strip. The school comprises four buildings, which encompasses 18 grades and 540 students representing primary, intermediate and secondary levels. It also comprises a mosque, a multi-purpose hall and a general library to benefit the student population and the community.

All services in this charitable school are rendered freely to the students, including education, transportation, school bags, books, stationeries, and school uniforms in addition to a bursary for all students. - Press Release

22 embrace Islam in Saudi Arabia

AL-HASSA (Saudi Arabia) - Twenty two foreigners of different nationalities, including males and females, in Al- Hassa province of Saudi Arabia have embraced Islam during last month at the hands of Da'wah workers. Eight of them were Filipinos and Indians, a Nepalese and 12 Sri Lankan women. Director of the Foreign Da'wah Office in Al-Hassa Abdur Rahman Al-Jugaiman urged the preachers to exert more efforts in inviting the peoples to the beliefs and teachings of Islam. - Al-Eqtisadia

Islam fastest growing religion in Australia

Ridwaan Jadwat

RIYADH - On Monday, 7 October, I had the honor to represent Australia and hundreds of thousands of Australian Muslims at the washing of the Holy Ka'bah ceremony in Makkah. It was the fourth time that I have been granted the privilege of entering the inner sanctum of the Ka'bah and performing prayers inside Islam's holiest site. It remains a vivid and deeply moving experience.

My invitation to Makkah and the warm welcome that I received from my Saudi hosts and diplomatic colleagues, represents a symbolic acknowledgment that Australia's cultural and religious diversity is recognized throughout the world.

Islam's presence in Australia predates European settlement. In the early 16th century, Makassan fishermen from the east Indonesian archipelago were the first Muslims to visit Australia and trade with the indigenous Aboriginal community. In the 19th century, Afghan Muslim camel drivers played an important role in the exploration and opening up of the interior of the Australian continent. Today, Islam is one of the fastest growing faiths in Australia, and the Muslims are a vital and integral part of the rich mosaic of Australian society.

In the past 25 years, the Australian Muslim community has significantly expanded. According to the 2001 census, the Muslim community constituted 281,578 people, an increase of 40 percent since the 1996 census and an overall rise of 91 percent in the last decade. And these figures may be very conservative. Some recent estimates suggest Australian Muslims now number between 350,000-450,000.

Australian Muslims are ethnically diverse and come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Some 35 percent of Australian Muslims were born in Australia, and the rest immigrated to Australia from over 70 different countries, including Lebanon, Turkey, Indonesia and Bosnia- Herzegovina.

There are almost 100 mosques and over 20 Islamic schools in Australia. Reflecting the increasing recognition in Australia of the Islamic faith, Commonwealth and state governments have introduced flexible work hours on Fridays to make it easier for Muslim workers to attend a mosque and observe Jumu'ah prayers. Public streets are closed every year of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha to accommodate the tens of thousands of worshipers who attend Eid prayers at mosques, such as Lakemba Mosque in Sydney, home to Australia's largest Muslim congregation.

Islamic community centers, student associations, halal butchers and restaurants are found in every major city in Australia. The peak Islamic authority in Australia is the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), which is the umbrella organization of Islamic councils from Australia's various states and territories.

The Australian government has recently announced a partnership program with AFIC. The partnership will include employing a journalist to work with the media toward a better understanding of Islam and the Muslims in Australia, through facilitating informed and accurate reporting and producing information, articles, and media releases on Islam and Muslims.

Australian Muslims are doctors, lawyers, academics, diplomats, police officers, members of the defense force, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, and laborers. Muslims have contributed much to Australia's political, economic and social life, and have cemented their place in Australia's religious and cultural landscape.

They occupy an increasingly important place on the Australian public square, and are embracing opportunities to participate in a tolerant, inclusive and culturally diverse Australia.

(Ridwaan Jadwat is second secretary at the Australian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.)

Muslims attacked after Bali bombings

Meanwhile, arsonists threw a firebomb into a Melbourne mosque early on 17 October, the second attack on a mosque since the bombings in Bali, which killed scores of Australians, police said.

No one was injured but windows were smashed and carpets burned when the firebomb was thrown through the mosque window in East Doncaster before dawn, they said. The fire was put out by people who were in the building. The arsonists threatened further attacks against Muslims, a Muslim community leader said.

Mosque spokesman Nooruddin said the attackers also daubed anti-Islamic graffiti on the building. "There were threats like 'you get out or we'll be back again'," he said.

He said the entire Australian Muslim community was being blamed for the Bali bombing.

"It seems we are becoming the people who have to answer for the bad deeds of others," Nooruddin said. He said the mosque would now employ security guards.

On 5 October, an Islamic school and the home of an Imam in Sydney were attacked by stone-throwing vandals in an attack. - Agencies

(Qur'an, 2:183-84)

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it had been prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint - (fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But the one who will give more, of his own free will - it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast if you only knew.

Sahih Al-Bukhari

Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) remarked, "Fasting is a shield or shelter from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid obscenity and quarrelling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the pleasant smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time, when he meets his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

FROM THE HOLY HARAMS

Do not worship idols by cultural influence

MAKKAH/MADINAH - Sheikh Saud Al- Shuraim, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, said on 18 October that before Islam, the people used to live in darkness and ignorance, as the divine revelations had stopped and there was no ray of light whatsoever to show the people the straight path.

So, he added, the people went astray and made their deity with their own hands and worshiped them, and then they worshiped trees, stones, statues and other objects and invented names for them. Later on it was discovered that most of the idols happened to be pious men who lived in the remote past, and when they passed away, the people who were close to them made their images in statues just for their remembrance and, gradually, they came to worship them.

It was reported that Amr Ibn Luhai was the person to introduce the idols into Hijaz and called on the simple people to worship them.

Sheikh Al-Shuraim said that Allah revealed Islam to Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) to guide the people from the darkness of ignorance to the light of Islam, and decreed five principles to be observed and guarded: religion, human self, property, honor and intellect.

He said that the Prophet (peace be on him) cleared Makkah and the Arabian Peninsula of polytheism and worship of idols, thus when he entered Makkah in triumph, he started destroying the idols and statues kept around the Holy Ka'bah, saying." Truth (Islamic Monotheism or Jihad against polytheists) has come and Batil (Falsehood or polytheism) has vanished."

Sheikh Al-Shuraim told Muslims to keep their houses and other places belonging to them free from idols, placed for adornment and decoration because the angles do not enter any place where there are any idols.

He said Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab was told that some people went out to pray under the tree where the Al-Ridwan Bay'a (pledge of Ridhwan) was concluded. He told them to stop such practice. He added that when this action was repeated he ordered that the tree should be pulled down.

The Imam said that the graves should not be built as a lofty structure, but rather should be on level with the surface of the ground.

He said, "People are now living in the era of materialism and global culture, but still some of them worship idols due to the weakness of their belief."

He enjoined Muslims to purify their inner souls from whatsoever may turn them away from monotheism and worshipping Allah Alone. - SPA

In a Washington Post editorial, US President called upon to state his position

ISESCO commends the Washington Post editorial condemning the attack on Islam

RABAT - Dr. Abdul Aziz Othman Altwaijri Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) expressed his appreciation for the Washington Post editorial published recently entitled "Defaming Islam," condemning the statements of some prominent leaders of America's Christian right that defamed Islam and its noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him)

The letter addressed on 24 October by the Director General of ISESCO to Washington Post editor in-chief reads: "I have read the editorial published in your newspaper Washington Post, issue of 6 October, 2002, under the title: "Defaming Islam."

On behalf of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), which numbers 49 member states from the states members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), I would like to express to you deep appreciation for the condemnation of the utterances made by some prominent leaders of the American Christian right movement, defaming Islam and its noble Prophet; utterances that have shocked and angered hundreds of millions of Muslims through the world.

Addressing the editor in chief of Washington Post, the Director General of ISESCO pointed out: "You are right in calling upon President George W. Bush to state his position about the utterances of those prominent leaders of the American Christian right movement, who are considered as his supporters and closely associated with him.

They are not ordinary people without any influence on the American public opinion. And what they said was a fallacy and an outright defamation of Islam, of its great Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and of all the Muslims of the globe, not to mention the fact that those fallacies are entirely contrary to the numerous statements made by President Bush himself.

ISESCO's Director General paid tribute to the Washington Post editorial in question for the spirit of justice and equity which is likely to help remove the causes of tension in international relations and put right the errors and mis-representations being made by some people who are deprived of wisdom, logic or honesty and who are acting against the principles of tolerance, coexistence and dialogue among civilizations and cultures.

Four religious leaders of the American Christian right movement defamed Islam in extremely racist statements. Priest Franklin Graham said: "Islam is a very evil and wicked religion." Priest Pat Robertson declared: "to think that (Islam) is a peaceful religion is fraudulent."

In a television program he also said about Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) that he was: "an absolute wild-eyed fanatic... a robber, a brigand and a killer." Likewise, Priest Jerry Falwell stated in a televised program on CBS: "the Prophet of Islam is a terrorist."

In another development, the Lebanese Cabinet Council agreed on 24 October on the joining of the Republic of Lebanon to the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - ISESCO. The number of ISESCO Member States thereby rose to 50. - Press

Islam: a peaceful religion

Dr. Nora Ahmed

IT is a heresy to use violence and attack innocents in the name of Islam as some rogue elements claim to satisfy their own immediate worldly desires. God Almighty prohibited aggression in the Holy Qur'an: "pray to your Lord humbly and secretly and verily He does not like aggressors."

Islam does not allow its followers to attack others because they believe in a different religion. In Islam, the only wars that are permitted are among armies and they should engage on battlefields and engage nobly. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) said, "Do not kill women or children or non- combatants and do not kill old people or religious people," and he mentioned priests, nuns and rabbis. And he said, "Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees and do not poison the wells of your enemies." The Hadith, the sayings of the Prophet (peace be on him), say that no one can punish with fire except the Lord of fire. It's prohibited to burn anyone in Islam as a punishment.

The Prophet (peace be on him) said that a martyr who dies doesn't have a reckoning on the Day of Judgment. It's an act through which he is forgiven. But the Prophet (peace be on him) also said that there are people who kill in the name of Islam and go to hell. And when he was asked why, he said, "Because they weren't fighting truly for the sake of God."

History bears witness to the fact that wherever Islam reached it survived, and that whoever the Muslim warriors went, they lived side by side with non-Muslim natives. Moreover, they argue, one cannot force a religion like Islam on any one and find him so sincere and honest about his faith as were those Muslims converts of the new lands. It needs more than compulsion to develop such good Muslims out of a defeated people, and it requires much more than suppression to make them uphold and cherish the 'forced' religion.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), who was commissioned by God as a mercy for all mankind, tried to approach the rulers of the neighboring territories, inviting them to embrace Islam and share in the mercy of God. He was a perfect example of the tolerant Muslim who approached states with peace and not war. It should also be remembered that they did not only reject his gracious invitation but also derided him and declared open wars against the Muslims. In his lifetime the Roman and Persian soldiers crossed the Muslims were involuntarily at war with their neighors.

Allah Almighty called him as "a mercy to the worlds." He was merciful to his family, followers, friends, and even enemies. He was merciful to young and old, to humans and to animals. Those who persecuted him in Makkah and killed his relatives and his followers, when they were defeated in the battles and brought as captives, were forgiven by him. He did not ever take revenge or retaliated. He was the most forgiving person. It is unfortunate that the rogue elements who claim to be Muslims today are using violence to create chaos instead of understanding the real message of Islam brought by Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).

MWL delegation's visit to France opens horizons of dialogue and cooperation

Fozail A. Ghazali

Dr. Al-Turki urges teachers to pay more attention and care to students during his visit to European Institute of Humanities

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsin Al- Turki, and his accompanying delegation, visited the European Institute of Humanities here on 7 October. The institute functions under the supervision of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in France.

Director of the institute Dr. Ahmad Jaballah and several other members of the federation welcomed Dr. Al-Turki and the MWL delegation. He informed them about the activities of the departments of the institute and presented them the samples of researches and studies, that it conducted in order to serve the Islamic causes and introduce them for the service of Muslim students in France, in particular, and in Europe, in general.

On his part, the MWL secretary-general urged the teachers of the institute to exert more efforts and care for their students, improve the curriculums to introduce Islam in a better way and train the youths as Da'wah workers and Imams.

Following this, exchange of opinions and discussions on developing the European Islamic University took place so that all Islamic institutes and colleges in Europe may function under its supervision, coordinate their activities, decentralise the university's system, and also correct their conception about Islam, which, unfortunately, have been distorted.

Dr. Al-Turki called for presenting the project of the European University to the institutes and colleges in Europe to know their views on it and the possibilities to discuss it in the meeting of the League of Islamic Universities, which will be held in Jordan in April next year.

It is also noteworthy that the number of teachers in the European Institute of Humanities exceeds 400, who teach the Arabic language and Shari'ah sciences and provides the opportunity for the continuation of their studies at other French and European universities on the post-graduate and doctorate levels.

Dr. Al-Turki receives  representatives of African Muslims

Meanwhile, Dr. Al-Turki and his accompanying delegation received the representatives of the African Muslims in France in Paris on 7 October. During the meeting they discussed the issues concerning the Muslims in France and the ways to solve them and cooperate with their surroundings.

Dr. Al-Turki explained them the mission of the MWL delegation in France, stressing the importance of introducing the French nationals the reality of cooperation, sentiments of Muslims and the fundamentals of Islam through the correct and trustworthy sources.

He urged the African Muslims to unify their views, increase contact with others and address them with a single opinion in an organized way to highlight the greatness of Islam, which calls for tolerance, dialogue, cooperation and shunning of violence, terrorism and killing of innocent peoples.

On his part, former Director- General of the UNESCO Dr. Ahmad Mukhtar Ambu emphasized the importance of unified methods of Da'wah workers and curriculums of Islamic schools, besides emphasizing the importance of coexistence with others with fair dealings, good conduct and sincerity in their activities.

Dr. Al-Turki meets with representatives of Islamic organizations in Lyon

In the meantime, Dr. Al-Turki, along with the MWL delegation, met with the representatives of the Islamic organizations in Lyon.

Director of the Islamic Center in Lyon Al-Haj Kamal Qabtan welcomed the delegation, wishing it success in its mission of explaining the realities about Islam and the Muslims, and confronting the biased campaigns that target Islam's achievements and malign its kind fundamentals.

Qabtan admired the MWL for its guidance and the support and assistance that it extends to strengthen the relations among the Islamic societies and organizations in France and to strengthen the relations of Muslim communities with the French government.

Dr. Al-Turki urged the representatives of Islamic societies and organizations in France to increase cooperation and contact with the MWL so that it may give advices and extend assistance to serve the young Muslim generation and train them properly and protect them from disputes, that have, unfortunately, penetrated in some organizations.

He urged them to adopt moderateness and balance, teach the correct Islamic teachings, and practice the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah in their various activities, schools, central mosques and education curriculums. After the meeting, they took dinner hosted in the honor of the MWL Secretary-General and his accompanying delegation by the Islamic organizations.

Earlier, Dr. Al-Turki had visited the Islamic Center in Lyon, where he delivered a lecture, in which he encouraged the audience to fear the Almighty while dealing with their offspring and train them on correct Islamic lines. They should also project themselves as good models for their offspring in whatever they talks and work.

At the end, Dr. Al-Turki answered the questions of the audience on the implementation of Islamic teachings on correct and agreed upon principles.

He emphatically said that the Wahabiism, as some call it thus, was a reformation movement, which is attributed to an Islamic scholar, who invited the people to practice the correct teachings of Islam. He further said that Saudi Arabia follows the Hambali School of Jurisprudence (Fiqh), which had been found 1,000 years before the birth of Late Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab.

Dr. Al-Turki calls on Lyon governor

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsin Al- Turki, and his accompanying delegation, called on Governor of the Lyon Region Michael Base in the latter's office in Lyon.

While welcoming the MWL delegation, the governor expressed happiness over this meeting to strengthen the relations with Muslims through dialogues and discussions on the basis of cultural and civilizational issues, contacting the people and cooperation with one another for the service of humanity. He emphasised that these meetings and dialogues cement relations between France and the Muslim world, stressing that they should be based on clear foundations of common human values, that join all the followers of the Divine religions. He explained that the Muslim communities in the Lyon Region practice their religion freely. They are being provided with all necessary facilities as several mosques and Islamic centers can be seen mushrooming in the region.

On his part, Dr. Al-Turki explained the mission of the MWL delegation's visit to France and Italy, which concentrated on discussions and dialogues with the cultural, political as well as religious leaders in these countries, listen to their views and suggestions and exchange of views about burning issues against Islam and media' cultural onslaughts against Islam and the Muslims, besides presenting correct pictures of the fundamentals of Islam and their implementation.

Dr. Al-Turki explained that the purpose of his visit to France was to explain some realities, that, unfortunately, some media circles had distorted and attached Islam and some Muslims with violence, extremism and terrorism and that the Muslims do not want coexistence with others. "This is wrong attitude, totally against the teachings of the Qur'an, that encourage cooperation and coexistence, tolerance and contact among the peoples," he said.

On the other hand, the MWL delegation, headed by Dr. Al- Turki, met with Mayor and representative of Lyon to the French parliament Gerar Colomb, who gave the information about his city and about the cooperation with its Muslim communities and also about the facilities they are being provided by the French government. "Such meetings make us more informed and give us more understanding about the situations of other communities and the fundamentals of their religion, besides paving the way for solving most of their problems.

Following this, the MWL delegation explained the aims of its visit to France, that include opening horizons of dialogue, cooperation with others, listening opinions and comments that serve the peoples, strengthen cooperation and understanding, removing confusions and misunderstandings that some irresponsible sources propagate because that Muslims are against cultural conflicts and extremism.

The delegation discussed the topics regarding the Muslims' education, culture and worship, and explanation of correct understandings, besides removal of misunderstandings and confusions that have, unfortunately, crept in due to biased media campaigns against them.

On the other hand, the MWL Secretary-General met with the deputy mayor of the Eifro city at the Salam Mosque in Eifro. During the meeting, they discussed the ways of consolidating the relations among different peoples through dialogues; understanding and exchange of correct information about the blessings of the Divine religions.

At the end, the mayor of Lyon lauded the efforts of Saudi Arabia'sCrown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, regarding the peace in the Middle East, that have been supported by the Arab summit held recently in Beirut. He pointed out that these efforts have become the Arab peace efforts, that demonstrate the Muslims' desire to end conflicts in the region till all the nations in the region start enjoying peace and stability.

On his part, Dr. Al-Turki thanked the governor and the mayor of Lyon for their care of Islam and the Muslims. He said: "The MWL is ready with all at its disposal to improve the level of Muslims in the fields of education and culture, explaining the realities about Islam, which has no connections, whatsoever, with terrorism, extremism and exaggerations, besides most of the matters concerning sentiments can be dealt with through correct training and education till the Muslims follow a single straight path, cooperate with other communities and respect all in order to present good picture of Islam."

He emphatically said that the MWL delegations' visit to the United States, Belgium and Germany has yielded good results regarding the explanation of the Muslims' views on some issues.

(To be continued)