Delivering his sermon, Sheikh Ahmad Tejan-Sillah who doubles as spiritual head for the Shia, emphasized that Islam stipulates that all should live in a peaceful environment as the Holy Quran called on all humanity to embrace peace. He noted that Islam divinely inspired a just worldly order by applying preventive measures to ensure security of wealth, life, mind, religion, and aims to build a society in peace, serenity, friendship, collaboration, humanity and justice.
Sheikh Tejan-Sillah reiterated that according to the Holy Qur’an, sura hujurat (49:10) Allah says, “All Muslims are brothers and sisters to each other and if a disagreement appears among them they make peace and correct it”. He further said a true Muslim is faithful, absolutely truthful and honest in all circumstances, as well as embracing a moderate way of life that encourages good relations with everyone.
He reiterated that the Holy Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him was divinely compassion and assigned special importance to forgiveness and tolerance, the Prophet succeeded in establishing unity among people by acting with compassion and mercy. If he had treated the people around him severely and rudely, they would have left him and their unity would have collapsed (Holy Qur’an, 3:159).
Sheikh Tejan-Sillah called on all Muslims to supportive of maintaining peace, spreading an environment of serenity and trust, and constructing a civilization of love, compassion, and mercy to share with other people in peace. He urged those extremist that are painting the Forum of Islamic Organization in bad light to stop spreading hate messages as the main aim of organization is to maintain a peaceful dialogue according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (MSAW).
In his remarks, President of the Forum, Alhaji Justice Abubakarr King, emphasized that those who take the divinely prescribed ethics and the prophetic character as their example should obviously treat one another with mercy and compassion, and can never be severe, arrogant, antagonistic, or hostile. He further noted that Islam stated that the life of a human being is a trust from God, irrespective of his or her ancestry, color, or language, and hence should be protected meticulously.
Justice King said that every human deserves respect by nature; approaching them with lenience, tolerance, and humility is certainly virtuous. Hence, staying away from hatred and having a tolerant attitude is essential for humanity. He reiterated that where trust does not exist, love, respect and solidarity are also absent society will become doom and urged Muslims to embrace the Forum of Islamic Organization for Peaceful Coexistence.
