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Dalai Lama, US Muslims Defend Demonized Islam
CAIRO, April15 , 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – A cohort of prominent American Muslim leaders will huddle together on Saturday, April15 , with the iconic Dalia Lama to wash away misconceptions about a much demonized Islam, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.
"As long as we are quiet and not trying to explain, the danger and misunderstanding remains," said imam Mehdi Khorasani, whose has invited the Dalai Lama for the meeting.
Speakers at the invitation-only "Gathering of Hearts Illuminating Compassion" meeting is limited to roughly 500 people.
It will consist of presentations by scholars and religious leaders.
Also on the agenda is seeking a broader understanding among faiths and showing that all religions share core values.
Leading among the speakers are Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, the co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, and Rev. Alan Jones, dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, an Episcopal church.
The speakers hope the event will plant a seed for the future.
Demonized
The Dalai Lama, who has for decades advocated non-violence, is concerned that Muslims are unfairly demonized in American popular consciousness, according to the American paper.
The world-renowned Buddhist leader hopes to help show Islam in its truest form, one of peace.
"The enemy is not out there,'' said Tenzin Dhonden, the Dalai Lama's emissary for peace.
"The enemy is within you. ... How we see religion is in our mind. But religion itself is the truth: peace and harmony."
Two recent polls showed that almost half of Americans have a negative perception of Islam and that one in four of those surveyed have "extreme" anti-Muslim views.
"That's not Islam," said Jack Kornfield, a prominent Buddhist teacher and founder of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin Country.
"Those are extremists and crazies. Quite honestly, you find that in every tradition. Right now, our media is highlighting that."
US evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson drew a diatribe on Tuesday, March14 , from American Christian and Muslim leaders for descending in a new rant against Islam.
Chicago-based syndicated radio commentator Paul Harvey, the most listened-to radio personality in the United States, claimed in December 2003 that Islam "encourages killing."
But after receiving hundreds of angry messages from Muslims, Harvey backtracked on his defamatory comments, praising Islam as a "religion of peace".
Coexistence
Yusuf, a prominent American Muslim scholar and advisor, said religious fundamentalism has been on the rise everywhere.
"It's all of us. There's no 'us' versus 'them' here. We've got extremists on both sides. If we let extremist agendas chart the course for us on both sides, we're headed for a very, very frightening world."
Polls in Muslim countries have shown that the9 / 11attacks were seen as a good thing by some Muslims while some Americans support bombing the holy city of Makkah.
"Who are the extremists?" Yusuf asked.
He said the meeting with the Dalai Lama will demonstrate that Islam is not at odds with peace.
"Buddhism probably has the best press, because it is associated with non-violence, and Islam has the worst press because it is associated with violence," Yusuf asked.
"By bringing them together we say we can co-exist in harmony, as history showed in Tibet and elsewhere."
Forced into exile from Tibet in1959 , the Dalai Lama now lives in Dharamsala, India.
His peaceful resistance to China has earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 .
http://islamonline.net/English/News/2006-04/15/article04.shtml
Speakers at the invitation-only "Gathering of Hearts Illuminating Compassion" meeting is limited to roughly 500 people.
It will consist of presentations by scholars and religious leaders.
Also on the agenda is seeking a broader understanding among faiths and showing that all religions share core values.
Leading among the speakers are Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, the co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, and Rev. Alan Jones, dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, an Episcopal church.
The speakers hope the event will plant a seed for the future.
Demonized
The Dalai Lama, who has for decades advocated non-violence, is concerned that Muslims are unfairly demonized in American popular consciousness, according to the American paper.
The world-renowned Buddhist leader hopes to help show Islam in its truest form, one of peace.
"The enemy is not out there,'' said Tenzin Dhonden, the Dalai Lama's emissary for peace.
"The enemy is within you. ... How we see religion is in our mind. But religion itself is the truth: peace and harmony."
Two recent polls showed that almost half of Americans have a negative perception of Islam and that one in four of those surveyed have "extreme" anti-Muslim views.
"That's not Islam," said Jack Kornfield, a prominent Buddhist teacher and founder of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin Country.
"Those are extremists and crazies. Quite honestly, you find that in every tradition. Right now, our media is highlighting that."
US evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson drew a diatribe on Tuesday, March14 , from American Christian and Muslim leaders for descending in a new rant against Islam.
Chicago-based syndicated radio commentator Paul Harvey, the most listened-to radio personality in the United States, claimed in December 2003 that Islam "encourages killing."
But after receiving hundreds of angry messages from Muslims, Harvey backtracked on his defamatory comments, praising Islam as a "religion of peace".
Coexistence
Yusuf, a prominent American Muslim scholar and advisor, said religious fundamentalism has been on the rise everywhere.
"It's all of us. There's no 'us' versus 'them' here. We've got extremists on both sides. If we let extremist agendas chart the course for us on both sides, we're headed for a very, very frightening world."
Polls in Muslim countries have shown that the9 / 11attacks were seen as a good thing by some Muslims while some Americans support bombing the holy city of Makkah.
"Who are the extremists?" Yusuf asked.
He said the meeting with the Dalai Lama will demonstrate that Islam is not at odds with peace.
"Buddhism probably has the best press, because it is associated with non-violence, and Islam has the worst press because it is associated with violence," Yusuf asked.
"By bringing them together we say we can co-exist in harmony, as history showed in Tibet and elsewhere."
Forced into exile from Tibet in1959 , the Dalai Lama now lives in Dharamsala, India.
His peaceful resistance to China has earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 .
http://islamonline.net/English/News/2006-04/15/article04.shtml
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"I am grateful that I left this conference with critical information based on thorough empirical research and experience needed to empower the youth population with effective tools," Shazia Siddiqui, founder of one of the fastest growing programs in the country, the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST), told IslamOnline.net.
He believes the shared experience of the conference will help him "assess and provide for the needs of overlooked populations, promote interfaith and intra-faith dialogue, and learn how to develop sincere and thoughtful responses on where we stand on global issues in order to diffuse hate and fear of Muslims in America."
Established and budding scholars took to the stage to present in four panel sessions on topics reflective of the diverse community of Muslims in North America.
A total of 13 papers were presented with topics aimed to focus on interfaith initiatives in America, leadership development, understanding moderate and extremist approaches in Islam, the experience of Islam in American prisons, conflict resolution/peace building in Muslim communities, social service models in America, and current youth trends.
The Islam in America conference was launched in1997 , but it has taken on much greater relevance in post- 911America.
ISNA is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals providing a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs, and fostering good relations with other religious communities, civic and service organizations
Specialized
The Islam in America conference is highly specialized in its focus and attracts scholars and students alike to tackle very challenging topics, organizers said.
Addressing the complex issue of Maqasid Al-Shari`ah, scholar Zainab Alwani made a strong case for the development of an Islamic methodology within the American context as well as the need to recognize a common legal authority.
Omar H. Altalib talked about interfaith initiatives in America with a special focus on lessons from the Midwest while Muhammad Shaifiq presented some models of interfaith work.
Taking the floor, Khadija Kaja addressed the challenging issue of breaking stereotyping to build understanding.
Prominent Muslim scholar Iqbal Unus, who has attended this conference regularly, talked about strategic planning in improving governance and accountability in Muslim community organizations.
He told IOL the aim of the Islam in America conferences is to "group the trends and issues in terms of Muslim presence in America in terms of two broad issues: community development and relations with other faiths."
He believe the conferences "contribute to discussion and understanding and develop a body of research to develop better understanding of Muslims in America."
http://islamonline.net/English/News/2006-04/16/article02.shtml