Mohammad Abdus Sabur
Secretary General of Asian Muslim Action Network, Thailand
  

The chair person, distinguished delegates and organizers,

Peace be upon all of you.

On behalf of the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN), I would like to thank the organizers for this kind invitation to this very important event. I extend my greetings and Salam to all the distinguished delegates. Before I speak on the topic, please allow me to say a few words about AMAN. AMAN was formed in October 1990 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, when a group of like-minded Muslims scholars and social workers came together during an Asian Consultation. We have members in all Asian countries. It is a network of progressive Muslims in Asia, seeking to respond in a small way to the numerous challenges that the people in the region are facing. These challenges range from mass poverty, elite corruption, materialistic life styles, increasing ethnic, religious and communal conflict, violence against women and children, HIV/AIDS and environmental degradation. Since Islam embodies eternal values and principles of Truth, Justice, Compassion, Freedom and Equality, it is only right that Muslims seek guidance from their religion in order to meet the challenges of the times. At the same time AMAN seeks active collaboration with other faith communities in order to promote human dignity and social justice for all.

Objectives:

� To develop a progressive, enlightened approach to Islam which would reflect the true essence of the religion.

� To help create a community of fellowship and solidarity amongst progressive and enlightened Muslims in Asia.

� To participate and cooperate with other faith communities in the creation of a just and compassionate society in Asia which would uphold the dignity of all the people of the continent and beyond.

Programs:

School of Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation:

The school includes short courses on peace studies, trainers training for peace education, and support for community based peace education.

Inter-faith Dialogue, Exchanges and Peace Forums:

AMAN organizes Inter-faith dialogue, exchanges and Peace Forums towards promoting understanding, cooperation and peace.

Capacity Building of Member Organizations:

Including women�s empowerment, young leadership development through training and exchanges in the area of religious inspiration, wisdom and resource development. Management towards poverty eradication, alternative economy and politics, environmental protection and good governance.

Research Fellowship Program - Islam in Southeast Asia:

The Fellowship is awarded to Young Muslim Scholars for innovative research on issues concerning socio-political and cultural changes taking place in the diverse Muslim communities of Southeast Asia.

AMAN Watch- Human Rights Organ of AMAN:

This is to build awareness and involve larger Muslim communities and to build capacities for Muslim organizations so that they can play a more active role in the promotion of human rights with a special emphasis on women�s, children, ethnic and religious minority rights.

Services in the area of education, health and HIV/AIDS and natural disasters.

Dialogue among Religions in a World Facing War

Now coming to the topic, I must say that at the moment the words Religion and War are in every bodies mind. These words are occupying inner and outer, and private and public spaces. Newspapers, television and the internet are showing vivid pictures of the execution of human beings in the name of religion. Homes, schools and hospitals and places of worship are being destroyed everyday by the weapons of war. People are engaged in conversation at home, at market places before and after meals and prayers about killings, destruction, and the world wide war against terrorism. Religions in general, religious leaders, religious dress, and religious life style are under scrutiny. It is true that the world and humanity are facing war, but we must remember that there are different faces of war such as economic war, civil war, sectarian war, ethnic war and war for occupation. There are also many causes of war but there is no dearth of analysis or attempts to address the root causes of such violence. Being representatives from religious communities we have a responsibility to address such issues because violence is taking place in the name of religion. It must be remembered the religious communities are not the only actors and stake holders. There are other powerful stake holders too such as the multi-national, transnational corporations, the World Bank, IMF, WTO, politicians, governments, the United Nations, regional groupings and alliances such as the European Union, NATO and above all the only Super Power, the United States of America. So in our dialogue we ought to talk about our role as well as the role of other stake holders. We must not confine discussion within religion but extend to other major influences.

Inter-dialogue Between and Amongst Religions

�Islam, Muslim and Terrorism� are becoming synonymous words. The challenge for Muslim societies is to establish ways to re-establish the image of Islam as a religion for peace. We must admit that there are elements within the Muslim world who are taking extreme positions and opting for violent means.

It is understandable in such desperate situations such as living under occupation and the unjust war in Iraq and enduring the double standards of western imperialist societies etc as Islam allows the resistance of occupation. Islam does not, however, permit the killing of innocent people. So far the violent means have neither decreased the suffering of the people nor ended the occupation.

Asia is diverse in religion and culture. In a particular country, people who belong to a particular faith or religion may be majority in number but in another country they may be the minority. Unfortunately minorities do suffer from majority chauvinism.

The silent war that the vast majority of poor people in Asia are facing is against poverty, unemployment, discrimination, eviction, exploitation and diseases including HIV/AIDS.

In this war the people have been organizing themselves and raising their voices and asserting their rights. The faith communities, NGOs and civil society organizations and networks have been extending their support in the empowerment process of women, children, Dalit, bonded laborers, migrants, refugees, and ethnic communities.

But we must admit that some of the religious institutions in the past as well at present continue to be on the side of dictatorship and exploitative economic and social system.

We are witnessing the taking of extreme positions by a section of people in the name of religion which causes intra-religious violence, sectarian attacks on places of worship and loss of lives, so there is a need to have intra- and inter-faith dialogue. Since all religions preach for peace, compassion, love and forgiveness, we have a challenge before us on how to deepen this understanding and spread the message among the religious leaders, the people and the youth.

The last AMAN Assembly concluded that �at this point in history, when division and despair, intolerance and hatred, greed and consumerism, abject poverty and accumulation of power and wealth are so dominant, the search for an alternative paradigm for peace that is rooted in diverse religions and cultures is of the utmost importance. Non violence, simple lifestyles, unity in diversity, mutual respect, the sharing of resources and just governance ought to be released from the scriptures and constitution and be practiced in day-to-day life as there is a need for sustained and systematic efforts for peace�.

Dialogue Between Faith Communities and the Divided World

Under the Gods kingdom, different tribes and communities are to recognize each other and live in harmony and peace. But unfortunately this kingdom is divided into many lines. The rich and poor, black and white, civilized west and uncivilized south.

Some social scientists observe that the present situation in the south is of their own making. But some attribute it to the colonial past and to the present hegemonic powers. Others believe that it is a result of both but add that with the changes of time and needs, the Southern countries and their leaders did not change and failed to creatively and honestly govern the country and empower people in responding to the emerging challenges.

Emerging power of Unity and Solidarity

Against all odds, through dialogue among faith communities, through exchanges among people�s movements and alliances, through the sharing of resources and solidarity across borders and regions, we can see and feel that unity and understanding are emerging towards a new kingdom of God. These signs are an indication of strong determination for unity based on equality, mutual respect and recognition of diversity. These are reflected in huge protests and demonstrations against hegemony and the war policy of the United States, against globalization and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, IMF and WTO.

Therefore, the faith communities must extend the dialogue beyond religions and work towards broader alliances in challenge of the extremist within.