Mubarak calls Moslems to open up to world developments
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/12/2006

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said the Islamic Umma cannot exist in isolation from the world nor can it ignore extraordinary leaps of progress currently taking place.

The Islamic Umma must strike a balance between opening up to the world and preserving its identity and protecting its sanctities, President Hosni Mubarak said in his speech Tuesday.

Addressing a gathering of Muslim scholars celebrating the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's birth, the President said that the Islamic nation's present and future depended on its ability to modernize and develop itself and reach out to the world.

In a televised address, he said Muslims cannot afford to shut themselves away from the world or ignore the immense changes that are underway.

We must adapt and keep up with the pace of development in today's world, confront all challenges and be prepared to benefit from all opportunities offered to fulfill our people's hopes and protect their future, he said.

President Mubarak highlighted the outcome of the 18th General Conference of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs – which ended on Sunday.

The conference was entitled "Problems of the Islamic World: ways of Treatment within the context of Globalization."

Addressing the Assembly of Muslim Ulamas and prominent public and Muslim figures, the President spoke about the international force triggered by the publication of the caricatures of Prophet Muhammad, saying that the Islamic world and the entire world community must discuss together the circumstances of this incident that pitted the Islamic world against the West.

Together they must find a way to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future, he said.

He said that the decade-long talk about dialogue between civilizations has failed in its first test.

He said it is his conviction that the so-called clash of civilizations is in reality a clash of interests.

President Mubarak said that common grounds must be sought to open a new dialogue among civilizations that is based on mutual respect and recognition of the diversity of human cultures, beliefs and traditions.

He said freedom of expression and press did not give anyone the right to insult other peoples' religious beliefs.

The President called on the Muslim Umma to unite and rise up to the responsibility

He underlined the need to continue the fight against terrorism, to dry up its resources and resolve all problems and rectify all negative feelings of frustration, anger and hate.

Meanwhile, the President said Muslims should do their best to correct the image of Islam in the West. The west on the other hand should earnestly endeavor to improve its image in the Arab and Muslim World.

Those who link Islam to terror and extremism are committing a grave mistake. Centuries ago, the Holy Qur'an called for populating and developing the Earth.

Mubarak said that Islam has contributed to enriching humanity's heritage and is still playing a key role in the spread of knowledge and science both inside and outside the Muslim World.

He also referred to the role Muslim imams and scholars should play on this score.

President Mubarak honored eight scholars in appreciation of their efforts in the field of the Islamic call.

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