Pave the Way Foundation Applauds the Sunni and Shi’a Religious Leaders for Their Efforts in Defending Islam and to Achieve Peace
New York, NY – August 26, 2006 – As reported in the Wall Street Journal, an historic meeting of the most senior Iraqi Sunni and Shi’a religious leaders took place recently in a Cairo suburb where they resolved to "end terrorist violence, and to disband militia activity in order to build a civilized country and work within the framework of law." This meeting included Sheikh Ahmed al Kubaisi, a Sunni religious leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Ammar Abu Ragheef, chief of staff for Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani, an acknowledged leader of the Shi’a community in Iraq and beyond and Sheikh Abdul Lateef Humayeem, the former personal imam to Saddam Hussein. Canon Andrew White, an Anglican priest who served in Baghdad for nine years, deserves acknowledgment as well for his efforts in bringing these leaders to the table in a spirit of peace and harmony.
Pave the Way Foundation (PTWF), an international non-denomination organization, loudly applauds the Holy Acts of these defenders of Islam. Their courageous action is truly demonstrating the essence of Islam according to the Qu’ran. Violence and the murder of innocent people by the intentional misinterpretation of the Laws of Islam has been and remains the most despicable form of defilement of their faith. While many will riot and cause violence when cartoons of Mohammed are displayed, far too many Muslims remain silent when one absolutely and openly defiles the laws of the Qu’ran by killing innocent people.
PTWF has been working with many important Islamic leaders all over the world in order to see that action of speaking out against violence in the name of Islam takes preference over the suicide bombing or indiscriminate rocket attacks in Iraq, Israel and other locations. When a Katusha rocket is launched and kills an innocent child or a suicide bomb kills innocent Muslims at prayer this is a clear violation of Islamic law and should be loudly protested and recognized for what it is - the illegal use of religion to accomplish a private agenda of violence and destruction. That agenda is in violation of the true aspirations of the Palestinian and the Iraqi people, to bring up their families in peace and safety and to have an opportunity to prosper.
Gary Krupp, President of Pave the Way Foundation said "PTWF further encourages all of the true Islamic leaders to step forward to defend their faith against forces of evil which preach indiscriminate killing and absolute violation of Islamic law. These forces are the true enemies of Islam. It is these violent acts which are promoted by false leaders, which defile and insult your faith and should be protested. This is the meaning when you greet one another with Salaam Alaikum, peace be unto you."
The Qu’ran, which is believed by all Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to the prophet Mohammed, states clearly in Surah 5 Verse 32: "…whosoever kills a human being ..it shall be as if he had killed all mankind and whosever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of mankind" moreover, Surah 4 verse 29 states: "oh ye who believe…kill not yourselves" followed by verse 30: whosoever does that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into fire.
Mr. Krupp further stated that "PTWF also issues an international challenge to the media to follow the lead of the Wall Street Journal and to carry this story and highlight every effort world wide to spread the facts of these acts to achieve international peace."
About Pave the Way Foundation
PTWF is dedicated to achieving peace by bridging "the intellectual gap" in tolerance and understanding, by enhancing relations between religions through cultural, technological and intellectual gestures. The Foundation has a simple yet monumental vision: To enable all the world's religions to mutually realize that extremism, politics and personal agendas must not be allowed to poison the true benevolent message common to all faiths. Bigotry and hatred must be abolished by the faithful embracing their similarities and savoring their differences.
Contact Linda Simpson
212 629 0046
office@ptwf.org
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