Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -ISESCO-, has called for enacting an international law incriminating offences to religions and prophets. He stressed the need to enhance the values of dialogue, coexistence and mutual understanding among humans, and to reinforce tolerance among the followers of the divine religions, the aim being to remove the causes that lead to hatred and discrimination and contribute to stirring up conflicts among civilizations and cultures. This was said in an address he gave at the four-day 2nd World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, whose proceedings opened yesterday here in Seville, Spain, under the patronage of the Moroccan and Spanish Kings. He stated that the approving position of Muslims as to dialogue among religions, civilizations and cultures stems from their religious teachings which urge them to call to the path of Allah as well as to love and peace with wisdom and goodly exhortation, as God the Almighty says: "Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better". He added: if the Quran advocates constructive and earnest dialogue in a wise fashion, the tradition and sayings of the Messenger of Islam, peace and blessing be upon him, was a true translation of this divine command. Indeed, Prophet Mohammed's correspondence and delegates dispatched to the eminent leaders of his times illustrated this trend. Moreover, the Prophet held discussions with Jewish rabbis in Madinah on issues pertaining to various religious, political and social aspects. The Compact of Madinah (Sahifat al-Madinah) which was signed by Prophet Mohammed, peace and blessing be upon him, is considered to be the first universal document to organize relations between Muslims, Jews and Arab tribes in Madinah on the basis of respect, alliance and mutual assistance. --more 13 58 Local Time 10 58 GMT
