mindedness which are the central tenets of the ‘Takfir' thought that seeks to dub others as ‘polytheists'.” This mode of thinking, he warned, sows seeds of discord among Muslims through satellite channels and incites its followers to attack mosques and worshipers in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other parts of the Muslim world, under abject and unwarranted sectarian pretexts. ISESCO Director General further explained, “In all events, reviling the Prophet's wives and companions through various media on the one hand, and declaring Apostasy ‘Takfir' on those Muslims who are not following the fundamental creed of mainstream schools of Sunni jurisprudence (Ahl-al Sunnah Wal'jamaa'a) and excluding them on the other hand, are corrupt practices that we adamantly condemn, the more so as this threatens to harm the very fabric of the Muslim Ummah's creed.” Therefore, Dr Altwaijri emphasized, it is of the essence to put an end to such animosity through further promotion of rapprochement, moderation, middle stance, tolerance and mutual respect which should constitute the dominant values among all followers of Islamic legal schools. Such is the core mission of the Supreme Consultative Council for Bringing Muslim Madhahib Closer Together which we committed ourselves, during its second meeting held here in 2008, to advancing its role in spreading the culture of rapprochement through a set of practical mechanisms which will be discussed and adopted in this third meeting, Dr Altwaijri stressed. He further stated: “This is our mission all, be it within the Council, ISESCO or in any realm of joint Islamic action. The effort to promote rapprochement at all levels will prove to be useless in the face of sectarian smear campaigns and libelous attitudes.” By the end of his speech, Dr Altwaijri expressed hope that the third meeting of the Supreme Consultative Council for Bringing Islamic Madhahib Closer Together will be a significant milestone in the “road we have taken to achieve, through concerted action, the objectives set for the Strategy for Bringing Islamic Madhahib Closer Together.” The strategy, he explained, has become since its adoption in 2003 by the 10th Islamic Summit a binding document for the OIC, and a roadmap to a better and more secure future for Muslims.
