The Recommendations of the Third Academic Meeting Held by the General Iftaa Department on the 9th/Safar/1436 A.H-2/12/2014 A.D, under the Title “The Jurisprudence of Diversity  and Pluralism within the Nation`s Unity"

Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad, His Majesty’s senior advisor for religious affairs, the General Iftaa` Department held- 9/Safar/1436 A.H-2/12/2014 A.D- its third academic meeting entitled “ The Jurisprudence of Diversity and Pluralism  within the Nation`s Unity “ in which a number of the best scholars, thinkers, and journalists had participated.

The meeting was inaugurated by The Chief Justice, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel on behalf of His Highness, where he reiterated that Islam is a religion that honors man and protects his dignity regardless of his color, nationality, and country of origin, indicating the significance of holding this meeting at this particular  time which is characterized by multiple trials, and attempts which aim at distorting the true image of Islam which is based on values of tolerance, brotherhood, and cooperation.

He added that Jordan, under the Hashemite leadership, has earned the credit of educating the Islamic Nation and clarifying the true image of Islam. This was reflected in the initiatives:  “ The Message of Amman “ , “ Kalima Sawa` “ ,and “ The Week of Harmony amongst  Followers of Different Faiths .“

On his part, the Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Sheikh AbdulKarim Khasawneh stressed the importance of diversity and pluralism in the development as well as the prosperity of societies indicating that Islam has considered them a manifestation of Allah`s might and a sign of His greatness.

He added, Muslim thinkers who live in non-Islamic countries should shoulder the responsibility of highlighting diversity and pluralism, and exert efforts in defending different  cultures.

On his part, the Minister of Endowments, Islamic Sites and Affairs  Dr. Hayil Abdulhafeez reiterated the significance of this meeting in light of the current state of conflict and decay which is eating up the Arabic Nation`s body including conflicts over belief and killing  people over identity. He pointed out that different views and multiple ways of thinking enrich life and prove the greatness of Allah Who has created people with different minds and hearts.

Other participants, mostly Muslim scholars, have addressed a number of issues pertaining to the role of  jurists in promoting the concept of pluralism and diversity of the contemporary Islamic discourse as well as the obstacles that face this attitude. They have come up with the following recommendations:

1- Encouraging the academic studies for the concept of pluralism in university dissertations, arbitrated research papers, and articles that are based on Islamic Law, so that moderate concepts get settled within the socio-Islamic conscience.

2- Promoting academic meetings as well as intellectual dialogues that reflect the essential pillars on which pluralism rests.

3- Benefiting from the technological development in promoting the principles of diversity and pluralism, standing up to extreme thoughts, and enhancing these concepts within the Muslim society.

4- Highlighting the importance of Fatwa in achieving diversity and pluralism through the educational curricula as well as the different means of mass media.

5- Rejecting calls for extremism and accusing others with infidelity which are employed as a means of fueling conflict amongst the followers of the same faith.

6- Making use of the diversity that already exists within the Islamic Nation in order to establish cooperation and complementarity amongst its members. This is in addition to benefiting from human diversity in building bridges between the Islamic Nation and the world on basis of common values and mutual respect.

7- Starting serious dialogue between Muslim scholars and thinkers to strengthen ties between them, highlight the truth about diversity in Islam, and refute the thoughts that tarnish the true image of Islam and Muslims.

8-  Calling the best of the Muslim thinkers and all the religious bodies and organizations to maintain diversity within societies on basis of Islamic citizenship and respect of all categories. This is in addition to denying all kinds of atrocities carried out by some groups.

9- Promoting  diversity and pluralism through various means of mass media.

In conclusion, we invoke Almighty Allah to reward all participants, save our country and king from every evil, and keep Jordan as a model for peace and stability along with the rest of the Islamic countries.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds