Focus on Somalia: Peace and Reconciliation Forum to be held in Dubai

Focus on Somalia: Peace and Reconciliation Forum to be held in Dubai

Global Arab Network Friday, March 12, 2010 The Global Centre for Renewal and Guidance (GCRG) will host a summit in Dubai March 13-14, to call for reconciliation and peace in Somalia. The Summit, which will be attended by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed , the President of Somalia will focus on finding solutions to creating a more peaceful and reconciled Somalia by using the knowledge and expertise of leading global and Somali Islamic Scholars to counter the negative use of Islamic doctrines by political insurgents. The event under the Chairmanship of the President of GCRG Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayah will focus on the refutation of the ideologies of violent Islamists in Somalia who abuse the name of Shariah by imposing their own literal, ill-informed interpretations onto the innocent population. The summit will draw upon the expertise of Muslim scholars such as Hamza Yusuf (USA) Amr Khaled (Egypt) , Shaykh Tijane Cisse (Senegal) , Shaykh Mohamed Gharib Allah, (Sudan) and Shaykh Habib Ali Al Jifri the General Director of Tabah Foundation; who will clarify the orthodox position on Jihad and Takfir (judging a Muslim to be outside the fold of Islam). The Summit will analyse in detail the religious motivation of the violent factions within Somalia in order to rebut their corrupt understanding of key Islamic concepts. The corollary of this is to highlight the principles of orthodox Islam that include peace, tolerance, diversity and respect. At the close of the Summit all scholars attending signing a declaration that condemns the religiously-inspired fighting in Somalia. The summit carries with it the support of the Somali Government who see the work of the GCRG summit as a vital contribution to the achievement of peace and stability throughout the country and the wider region. SATURDAY 13 MARCH 9.00- 10.00 Opening Session addressed by: HE President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the President of Somalia and Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayah, President of the Global Centre for Renewal and Guidance SUNDAY 14 MARCH 9.30 am Session Chair: Shaykh Muhammad Sultan al Ulama Speaker 1: Amr Khaled Speaker 2 : Shaykh Mohammed Garibullah Speaker 3: Abdullah Ali Salem Speaker 4: Shaykh Qaribullah Nasir Kabara