The First National Meeting Recommendations for King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue

The First National Meeting for intellectual Dialogue Riyadh, July 2003
Final statement and recommendations

Praise be to Allah, and peace be upon our prophet Mohamed, and then:
Based upon the holy words of Allah in the Qur'an verses that provide for cooperation between people on good and piety not on evil and aggression, and the verses urging Moslems to call for good, order with kindness and prohibit the abominable, and the verses uerging the Moslems to obey Allah and His Prophet, and not to conflict so as not to fail, in addition to the prophet saying: "Religion is advice ",

And following the Sharia requirements for taking the interests and concerns of the nation into accounts, some of the thinkers concerned with the nation's interest have considered the challenges and risks facing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the acts the scientists and intellectuals could do for serving their nation and society to face its problems and pressures. They suggested arranging a national meeting for an intellectual dialogue where some of the nation's issues to be discussed, to enhance the nation's adherence to its religion and Sharia teachings, enforce the national unity bases, strengthen the relationships among its individuals and with the Islamic world within the frame of moderation and temperance. The said suggestion was introduced to HRH Prime Abdulla Bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of National Guard, who approved it and ordered the concerned persons to take the necessary actions and initiate the dialogue.

A privileged group of Sharia Ulama and Islamic thinkers from various intellectual trends have attended the said meeting. The meeting was held at King Abdulaziz Library in Riyadh from 15_18\4\1424H (15_18\6\2003). The meeting opend with a word from HRH prince Abdulla Bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, deputy Prime Minister and Head of National Guard, introduced by HE Chairman of Shoura Council, Shikh Dr. Saleh Abdullah Bin Hamid.

For nine working sessions and final session, the attendants have discussed openness and good will the following main themes of the meeting:

Theme 1: National unity, and the effect of Ulama: This theme includes the following subjects:

1. Identification of national unity, the importance of unity, the Sharia principles on which it is based, and the leading role of knowledge and Ulama in KSA for ensuring national unity.
2. Immoderation and extremism, and excessiveness in justifications and deserting the Sharia principles, and the effect of that on the society.
3. Intellectual variation among the different social groups.
4. The woman's rights, duties and role in society.
5. Freedom of expression.
6. The contemporary Fatwa and its relation with the social status, and the effect of the same on national unity (Individual's Fatwa against the Committee's Fatwa: Astudy and evaluation ).

Theme 2: International relationships and treaties, and the effect of its understanding for national unity: This includes the following subjects: International relationships in Islam, Daawah within the country, Daawah within the Islamic and non-Islamic countries.

1. The importance of the Kingdom's common interests with other nations.
2. Dealing with non-Muslims on the light of Qur'an and Sunna.
3. Jihad and its rules and regulations.
After discussions and deliberations characterized by spirit of fraternity, openness and sincere desire for the common interest of the country, with regard to issues under discussions based on Islamic criteria and fixed Islamic principles, the attendees have reached the following recommendations:

The word delivered by HRH prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Head of National Guard will be deemed a main document of the meeting. The document will guide the attendees with its important meanings, thoughts and implications, such as:

- Awareness of the dangers and fierce attacks that jeopardize the nation and target its values and national unity. Attention shall be paid to tribal, territorial and intellectual disputes and their negative effects upon the unity and bonds that link fraternal relations within one nation.
- Awareness that intellectual differences, diversity and multiplicity of schools of thoughts are visible realities in our life and part of the human nature. This awareness shall be invested towards establishing a strategy for Dawa, advice and dialogue to achieve the Kingdom's objectives and Islamic values.
- Taking into consideration the de facto conditions, the technological advancement and the fast pace of exchange of information which require establishing new techniques to protect the religion, the nation and the citizens.
- Paying more attention and thought to the internal and external Islamic approach that reflects the Kingdom's adherence to Islam, its relationship with the Islamic world and its national unity and its orientation to moderation.
- The achievement of the above mentioned orientation in a peaceful and scientific style, away from disagreements and conflicts.
Advising people to be pious and adhere to Islamic teaching. All disasters and catastrophes that inflicted the nation are due to its reluctance to apply the Holly Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed. Scholars, university professors and Imams of mosques should be directed to focus on this aspect, and develop their means of Dawa and presentation to meet the needs of human society.
Developing the idea of this conference and widening its scope to address different issues at different levels. This could be achieved by establishing a dialogue center concerned with organizing conferences and preparing research and studies in this field. The participants are looking forward for HRH Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz to adopt this center.
Conservation of the unity of this nation based upon true Islamic belief to prevent separation and disunity, and consolidate security with its material and moral dimensions.
Stressing the position of Ulama and their role in securing the national unity and consolidating its concept and legal principles. The role of Ulama should be considered for correcting mistakes, helping understand Qur'an and Sunna texts, unifying of Muslem message, clarifying types of treatment among Muslims and others, taking legal texts as a whole and explaining the true Islamic interpretations and intentions stated in those texts.
Among the strongest pillars of national unity is tackling daily concerns of the citizen, balancing distribution of developmental programs among the different areas of the Kingdom, paying attention to rural areas in order to complete the basic services and tackling poor performance of government agencies, especially concerning public affairs.
Continuous development of the educational process in order to keep up with present era; enhance national unity; develop piety readiness for self sacrifice and giving priority to public interest among students; ensure the Islamic identity of the citizen and protect him from negative effects.
Considering youth concerns when making development plans and programs, and exerting further efforts for tackling all the problems they face.
Mass media should contribute to consolidating the national unity, avoiding distorting its principles, respecting the Ulama, guiding for the right path and preventing vice as well as calling for Allah though the proper means.
The continuous reform process and expansion of popular participation leads to enhancing the national unity and deepening the feelings affiliation.
Islam is a moderate religion. It is not a hard line religion, but it dose not accept distortion of legal principles. It also distinguishes between adherence to Sunna and fanaticism.
The principle of pretexts control is highly considered by Islam. It should be indulgently used, giving more room to more openness.
The importance of dialogue as a means of expressing opinions and style of life to realize coexistence though a comprehensive methodology based legal constraints.
Intellectual differences and diversity is a universal rule that cannot be surpassed. Its negative implications must be mitigated through adherence to the methodology of Qur'an in judging the ideas, matters and people. When dealing with those differences and diversity, we should seek the truth, subjectivity, justice and coexistence. Also, we should differentiate between the basics and the personal judgment, and refer to Qur'an and Sunna.
Problems, practices and oppression being exercised against women today should be lifted in order to reflect the true image of the woman in Islam, and work on making her a true model for a Moslem woman. She must be given the opportunity for more participation in serving the issues of the Moslem women.
Muslims should be provided with the freedom of expressing his true opinion according to Islamic rules, and without jeopardizing the legal basics or other people's interests or freedom.
Fatwa in on the upscale of Muslim society. So, it should comply with the contemporary needs, make contacts with other schools of methodology and capitalize on specialists in other field. Scientific research and studies centers should be established, and Fatwa committees should be formed all over the country.
The regional and international conditions should be taken into consideration. Justice should be respected when establishing international relationships. Scientific and mental resources should be used for enhancing international relations according to the methodology of Islam. Muslims should launch the initiatives that reflect the Islamic solutions for international problems.
Jihad (Holly fight) is peak of Islam. Shari'a has explained its rules, basics and principles; but it should be announced only by the president or governor. Principles of Jihad must be made clear to avoid any misunderstanding, and differentiation must be made between true Jihad and arbitrary killings.
The participants agree that the struggle against the Zionist occupation in Palestine is a legal action, and support the kingdoms attitude towards backing up the Palestinians for restoring their stolen rights, fighting the occupants and repelling the injustice.
The participants express their refusal to those attacks on Muslim residents and citizens, and state that those actions are against Allah, the Prophet and Islam.
The participants extend their thanks and appreciation to HRH Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz for calling for and holding this conference under his sponsorship. They ask the President of this conference to the to send a letter of thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holly Mosques, HRH the Crown Prince and HRH the Second Deputy Premier.

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