RIYADH: Changes taking place in the world right now need to be directed toward moderate principles as much as possible, said Abdul Mon'em Bin Salman Al-Mushawwah, Director of Al-Sakina Campaign for Boosting Moderation. In an exclusive interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Al-Mushawwah said the most common problem faced by Al-Sakina, is to prevent the distortion of the statements of religious scholars by deviants. He pointed out that every open program in the Kingdom must take into consideration the audience abroad, as everyone is waiting to see what is being said, “whether they are with us or against us”. Al-Mushawwah disclosed that the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom has called for the launch of an exclusive satellite channel to promote dialogue. Al-Mushawwah added that the general characteristic of deviant thought is toward violence. Among the goals of the campaign is to promote moderation and consolidate its principles, but the campaign clashes with those who claim outwardly that they are adopting moderation but are in fact extremists. Al-Mushawwah said every group and movement claims to follow moderation. Merely alleging to be advocates of moderation is a positive step, but is not enough. Many slogans do not reflect the content and purport of moderate principles. Moderation is a way of life and thinking. It is also moderation in creed, the correct application of jurisprudential (Fiqh) principles and rulings and good and appropriate conduct. It is a set of components that leads to a balanced individual, society and Ummah. Many movements realize this analysis and philosophy, but practical application and actual practice are the real tests, he said. Al-Mushawwah said that, in general, the true intentions of individuals and movements are revealed when there is a crisis. For this reason, in crises and times of sedition people have to be calm and wise, as was the example of the great religious scholars. In such situations, people should remain united, “otherwise we will be described as reckless and whimsical”, he stressed. A moderate person follows the correct approach according to the Shariah, promotes virtue and prevents vice, and advises people to seek reward from Allah Almighty. These are sublime religious and social values. These views should be presented in the correct Shariah manner and have to avoid hurting the feelings of others, creating scandals and making accusations. The approach should be compassionate and ensure good faith in others, he said. A moderate person protects the religion and advocates carrying out the rites as ordained by Allah Almighty without exaggeration. Al-Mushawwah said it is quite common among those who believe in deviant thought to exclude others and remain isolated, but there are others who to some extent are open and accept dialogue. Not only this, they have initiatives to enter into dialogue and discussion. It is not true that individuals who believe in deviant thought do not accept others and are not ready to negotiate with them. “We in the Al-Sakina Campaign have long experience of over eight years of various dialogues,” he added. Journalists have an important role to play in fortifying people against deviant ideas, in outlining moderate principles and studying and analyzing the causes and forms of terrorism. “It is true that we might differ in the way we determine the causes of terrorism, but we ought to discuss this with all transparency. The objective should be to discover the truth or get close to it and not to settle ideological scores,” Al-Mushawwah said. It is wrong to believe that only a certain body is responsible for combating terrorism and for spreading moderation, Al-Mushawwah stressed. It was true that some agencies have more commitments than others, but everyone should boost the culture of moderation.
