Al-Ahliyya Amman University Participates in Inter-Faith Forum (Exalting Common Grounds and Respecting Differences)

Within the policy adopted by Al-Ahliyya Amman University related to the need to communicate with community institutions and enhance cooperation in various fields, the Department of Cultural and Social Activities Council (Emargi Club) participated in the Inter-Faith Student Forum titled (Honoring Mosques and Respecting Differences). A group of students of Jordanian public and private universities participated in the Forum and presented working papers in this context. Student Hassan Tibi and student Nida Shunnaq presented a working paper on “Sharia Position towards other Religions and their Followers”. This participation comes within Al-Ahliyya Amman University belief that we live in one country and on one land, that we have common hopes, concerns, challenges and issues and that Muslim-Christian religious dialogue achieves common solutions. There should be concerted efforts to come out with a clear vision to overcome differences. This Forum confirms the Hashemite initiative that launched Inter-Faith Week to resist disturbing forces that disseminate misunderstanding among the followers of different religions, to develop a Jordanian model of partnership with Muslim and Christian citizens, and to highlight compatibility, harmony, peace, and mutual respect experienced by the Jordanian society. A group of Jordanian public and private university students will be selected in an encompassing conference to present their research papers and insights on this issue, guided by our glorious heritage of exalting common grounds, respecting differences among them, making excuses for others regarding our differences in pursuit of global peace, and establishing the concept of mutual understanding between people of different cans and tribes, to construct this land and be God heirs in it. The Forum aims to gather a number of outstanding students to make their voices heard by their fellow students and by all people, which is the voice of knowledge and righteousness, convey their enlightened opinions in this regard, raise practical awareness of His Majesty King Abdullah II call, provide realistic programs on the concept of harmony between religions, and set an example in achieving harmony between religions. The Forum included six themes, namely: Jordan as Model of Harmony between Religions; Harmony among Religions: Concept, Limits and Controls; Differences among Religions: Divine Will Leading to Coalition among Followers (Exalting Common Grounds and Respecting Differences); Shining Models of Muslim Treatment of Followers of other Religions; Islamic Law Position towards other Religions and their Followers, “They are not [all] the same; among the People of the Scripture is a community standing [in obedience], reciting the verses of Allah during periods of the night and prostrating [in prayer]”, and the role of audio, visual, readable and electronic media in achieving harmony among religions .