A Key Global Initiative: Islam, Media and the West
Background
In July 2005 The United Nations Secretary General H.E. Kofi Annan launched The Alliance of Civilizations under the Sponsorship of Spain and Turkey and convened a High Level Group (HLG) that was “intended to respond to the need for a committed effort by the international community — both at the institutional and civil society levels — to bridge divides and overcome prejudice, misconceptions and polarization”.
At the opening of the second meeting, hosted by Their Highness’s Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa and Sheikh Ahmad ibn Ali al-Thani, The Emirs of the State of Qatar and welcomed by His Highness Abdallah al-Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar, the Secretary General of the United Nations stated, “The passions aroused by the recent publication of insulting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, and the reaction to it, show only too clearly that such threats are real, and that the need for a committed effort by the international community is acute”.
Co-Chaired by Mr. Federico Mayor and Prof. Mehmet Aydin, the Alliance of Civilizations, in its mandate seeks:
* “To foster awareness in all societies that security is indivisible and is a vital need for all, and that global cooperation is an indispensable prerequisite for security, stability and development.”
* “To cultivate cooperation among current initiatives aimed at enabling those in the mainstream majority — who are overwhelmingly moderate and reject the views of extremists — to set the agenda.”
* “To establish partnerships that will help diverse societies to better understand their differences while emphasizing and acting on their commonalities.”
At the conclusion of the second meeting in Qatar, The Alliance of Civilizations sought, among others, to cooperate with and support similar initiatives aimed at addressing some of the greatest threats to Peace, Security, and Stability.
Rationale
As a specific follow-up to the meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations in Qatar, and to realize its key goals and objectives, The Alliance for a New Humanity, in partnership with the World Council of Religious Leaders, in an effort to contribute towards world peace and human understanding, proposes to convene a high level roundtable of religious leaders from the Islamic world, and key journalists, editors, and media directors, to explore an increasing distortion of perception projected through media about one of the world’s largest religious and cultural contexts, and its impact on values that include freedom of communication and respect for religious beliefs.
His Excellency Dr. Federico Mayor, Co-Chair of UN HLG of Civilizations urged us in Qatar, “It is time for action. It is time for encounters, for dialogue and for mutual recognition. It is time to forge attitudes of solidarity. It is time to mobilize all peoples on the side of concord and conciliation. It is time to abandon for ever the perverse proverb, “if you want peace, prepare for war”, replacing it with, “if you want peace, work for it through your actions each day”. He went on to say, “We cannot wait for “others”, those in higher positions, to clean house and to put things in order. Each one of us, each citizen who yearns to live in peace must do his part so that children and grandchildren cannot look back and ask, “Why did you remain silent?” “Why did they let fear overcome them when their future, our future, was at stake”.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the West. Nevertheless, the West has many stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam that are due to an inaccurate projection by media. Islam is often looked upon as an “extremist”, “terrorist”, or “fundamentalist” religion. Many people do not acknowledge its true teachings about sanctity for life and peace.
Today, the Western media, with little or no understanding of Islamic history, has identified as a new stereotype; “radical Islam”, and with it a misconception that portrays Muslims, in general, as fundamentalists or potential terrorists.
As stated by His Excellency Prof. Mehmet Aydin, Co-Chair of UN HLG at the meeting of The Alliance of Civilizations,
“Behind the cartoon crises, (…), lie centuries old prejudices, a kind of arrogant cultural mindset fed and maintained by a certain type of growing Islamophobic social milieu, and a political vision and praxis that seem to carve their ways largely through enlarged self-interests, unfounded generalizations mainly relying on exaggerated or even invented differences, rather than commonality that exists in all civilizations. (…) But I am glad to say that there are also many reasons for being optimistic. There is a growing constructive criticism and self-criticism in all cultures and civilizations. Many world leaders, national and international institutions and organized civil societies are willing to compete in goodness”.
The lack of understanding between Islamic and Western cultural contexts is now becoming one of the most dangerous threats to world peace and human harmony. Alienation and discrimination against a major human population group, inflammation of masses of people to violence, and the entrenchment of ignorance and mistrust is not conducive to a better world.
Objective
The purpose of this roundtable is to bring together key representatives of Western media and Islamic leadership in a convivial atmosphere, facilitated by open dialogue and profound respect, in a human family context, to get to know each other’s point of view, know the depths of each other’s commonalities, and take the first steps towards building bridges between the two worlds. This initiative is to bridge the divide between Islam and the West; emphasis will be placed on the importance of the role of the Media in achieving this objective. It could be the first in a series of roundtables. In this first event of the Series, part of the sessions will be closed to encourage frank, open discussions.
The Conveners
The Alliance for a New Humanity www.anhglobal.org is a non-denominational non-partisan group of people from all walks of life (its founders include peace Nobel Prize winners, communicators, entertainers, human rights advocates, and environmentalists) trying to bring about the transformation of the world along a vision of human unity.
The World Council of Religious Leaders (www.millenniumpeacesummit.org), co-chaired by religious leaders of the principal belief systems in the world, works to bring religious resources to support the work of the United Nations in a common quest for peace.
Proposed Venue/Date/Duration
Doha, Qatar. Early 2007 for 3days
Participants (a maximum of 30-40)
* Religious leaders from the Islamic world.
* Journalists, editors and media directors. (Al Jazeera, CNN, FOX news, Le Monde, Le Figaro, El Pais, etc.)
* Independent communicators and facilitators (e.g. Deepak Chopra, Roberto Savio)
* “Change agents” examples of media and Islamic group initiatives building understanding amongst Western and Islamic cultural contexts.
Logistics
Isolated secure surroundings
Interpretation into English, Arabic, French and Farsi
Proposed Roundtable Format
I. Opening
* Short inspirational video portraying the unified field of life, the majesty of the universe.
* Prayers
* Poems from Hafiz and Rumi.
* Opening words by Emir of Qatar, His Excellency Federico Mayor and His Excellency Prof. Mehmet Aydin, Co-Chairs of The United Nations High Level Group of The Alliance of Civilizations, Dr. Deepak Chopra (President of the Alliance), a Co-Chair of the World Council of Religious Leaders, and the President Emeritus of Inter Press Service.
II. Introductions of all participants
III. Presentation of Report of UN HLG of Alliance of Civilizations
IV. Introduction to Islam
V. Assessment of media coverage, identifying the misunderstanding and ignorance
VI. Building bridges; identifying the common interest
VII. Examples of ongoing initiatives for understanding
VIII. Agreeing to work on greater understanding (including more contextualized and accurate media portrayal and mutual respect)
IX. Closing of Meeting
* Reading of the solemn agreements of purpose
* Prayers
* Inspirational music
Annex I
Note on the World Council of Religious Leaders
“The World Council of Religious Leaders, an independent body, works to bring religious resources to support the work of the United Nations in our common quest for peace. WCRL is not an official part of the United Nations, nor does it have any status with the United Nations.”
The formation of the World Council of Religious Leaders was one of the stated goals of the Millennium World Peace Summit. The objective of this Council is to serve as a resource to the United Nations and its agencies around the world, nation states and other international organizations, offering the collective wisdom and resources of the faith traditions toward the resolution of critical global problems.
The launching of the World Council took place in Bangkok on June 12th-14th, 2002, at Buddhamonthon and at UNESCAP. Participants adopted a Charter that outlines key areas in which religious leaders can play an active role in reducing conflict and addressing the critical needs of humankind.
Co-Chairs
* His Holiness Somdet Phra Buddhacharya
Acting Supreme Patriarch of the Kingdom of Thailand
* Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shelomo Amar
Chief Rabbi of Israel
* Askenazi Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
Chief Rabbi of Israel
* His Holiness Jayendra Saraswati
The Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram
* His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Mohammadi Araghi
President of the Islamic Culture and Relationship Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran
* His Excellency Dr. Aabdullah Abdul Muhsin Al-Turki
Secretary General of the World Muslim League
* Venerable Zhang Jiyu
President of the China Taoist Association
Board
* Reverend Joan Brown Campbell
Director
Department of Religion Chautauqua Institution
* Chief Oren Lyons
Chief
Onandoga Nation
* His Excellency Kamel AL-Sharif
Secretary General
International Islamic Council For Daw’a and Relief
* Rt. Rev Riah Abu Al-Assal
Bishop of the Episcopal Anglican Diocese
Jerusalem and the Middle East
* His Eminence Gregorios Theocharous
Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain
* His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Chairman
All India Movement for Seva
* Rabbi Arthur Schneier
Founder and President
Appeal of Conscience Foundation
* Most Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Founder
Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association
* Venerable Phra Dharmakosarjan
Rector
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
* Bawa Jain
Secretary General
World Council of Religious Leaders
Senior Advisor
* His Excellency Mr. Budimir Loncar
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia
Advisors
* Hiroshi Matsumoto
President
Inner Trip Reiyukai International
* Jane Goodall, PhD, CBE
UN Messenger of Peace & Founder
- The Jane Goodall Institute
* Ms. Setsuko Nakanishi
Honorary WCRL Member
Spiritual Leader, Founder ITRI
International Experts Group
* Dr. Doudou Diene
UNESCO
* Professor Dr. Ervin Lazlo
Founder and President
The Club of Budapest
* His Excellency Dr. L.M. Singhvi, M.P
Senior Advocate
Supreme Court of India
* Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Department of Islamic Studies, George Washington University
* His Excellency Dr. Karan Singh
Member of Parliament
India
* Reverend Dr. C. Welton Gaddy
Executive Director
Interfaith Alliance Foundation
* Honorable Leticia Ramos Shahani
Presidential Adviser on Culture
Office of the President of the Phillippines
* Reverend Joan Brown Campbell
Director
Department of Religion Chautauqua Institution
* His Excellency Ambassador Onur Gokce
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
* His Excellency Mr. Kenneth Kaunda
Former President of the Republic of Zambia
* His Excellency Mr. Budimir Loncar
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia
Annex II
Note on the Alliance for a New Humanity
We are people from all regions of the world and from all walks of life - united by a common vision to strengthen and sustain an actively compassionate humanity. Our movement is open to anyone who pursues this goal. Our founding members include Nobel Peace Laureates, renowned authors, human rights activists, entertainers, environmentalists, philanthropists and communicators: Oscar Arias (President Emeritus),Raymond Chambers, Deepak Chopra, Antonio Fas-Alzamora, Baltazar Garzon, Kerry Kennedy, Ashok Khosla, Salomon Levis, Ricky Martin, Sarah Ozacky-Lazar, Roberto Savio, and Betty Williams.
The Alliance recognizes at the core of its vision the unity of all life, and a wholehearted adherence to the noblest aspirations of humankind, as proclaimed in all spiritual and humanist traditions that call for compassion and the celebration of life. The values and principles of the emerging movement for a new humanity, and of the Alliance, which is trying to serve it, are based upon the support of policies, causes and actions that favor respect for life, human dignity, freedom, ecological sustainability, and peace. The basic tenet of the Alliance is a consciousness based on the inseparability of all life, i.e., that everything is connected and that, therefore, our well being is the well being of everyone. In order to be meaningful, this consciousness, we believe, must be expressed for the benefit of all, through service that improves life for all mankind.
The Alliance for a New Humanity intends to encourage this service by providing forums, both virtual and physical, where individuals and organizations can: Connect, in an attempt to engage and collaborate on projects and initiatives; Communicate, sharing best practices and resources that will improve the performance of those projects and initiatives; Inspire, showing the transformative work being done by so many around the world, in so many different sectors; and Support, providing encouragement and feedback on these efforts.