In a time of radicalism and hate, it is refreshing to read about leaders of different religions meeting together to discuss how to work together to promote peace and understanding. We need more of these meeting and especially more of this attitude and good will around the world.
Follow a few quotes from the article on the Church Newsroom
“First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met Tuesday morning with His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League (MWL) and president of the International Organization for Muslim Scholars, based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.”
“What I’ve seen here is a great example of the true meaning of mercy and love to humanity,” Dr. Al-Issa said after visiting Welfare Square. “We all around the world need to follow this humanitarian [approach] exactly. Also, the whole world needs to get exposed to and learn from these efforts and projects. We can convey the message to the Islamic world and tell them there are people in some parts of the world where they [dedicate] their lives especially to serve their brothers and sisters and humanity. I do want to congratulate you. I am really surprised to see that level of work you are offering here. You are inspiring to others.”
“Dr. Al-Issa is known for advancing moderate Islam and promoting peace, tolerance and love. The MWL itself seeks to “clarify the true message of Islam.” In an op-ed published Sunday in the Deseret News, he said interreligious dialogue is crucial to combating extremism in faith and in life. “We can chart a course toward peaceful coexistence,” he wrote, also tying extremism to the tragic attacks on Muslims, Christians, and Jews that descended on Christchurch, Sri Lanka, and Pittsburgh, respectively, over the past year.”
It is of great value to the honest men of all religions to learn about these statements by the Prophet Joseph Smith made in 1841 and 1843, and that are still consistent with the Church’s position today:
“If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a “Mormon,” I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves. It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul — civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race.” —Joseph Smith, 1843
“Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Nauvoo, that the Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Latter-day Saints, Quakers, Episcopals, Universalists, Unitarians, Mohammedans [Muslims], and all other religious sects and denominations whatever, shall have free toleration, and equal privileges in this city …” —Ordinance in Relation to Religious Societies, City of Nauvoo, [Illinois] headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, March 1, 1841
Dr. Al-Issa in the Deseret News’s op-ed admiringly referred to these statements made by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He also noted that Joseph Smith encouraged the
“early Latter-day Saints to embrace others in their communities — especially when Latter-day Saints make up most of the population. In a similar vein, Dr. Al-Issa wrote, “Islam compels Muslims to love our fellow brothers and sisters of all faiths, races, ethnicities and creeds.””
For more details, read the full article on the Church Newsroom: First Presidency Welcomes Leader of Muslim World League
