Prince Hassan calls for developing social, humanitarian dimensions of Islamic discourse

AMMAN — Now, more than ever, the efforts of reformists are needed to protect Islam from being abused by “the misleading and the misled” to justify their whims, HRH Prince Hassan has said.

Delivering a lecture on Islam and peace building at Al Azhar University in Cairo, Prince Hassan, who chairs the board of trustees of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS), called for developing the social and humanitarian dimensions of Islamic discourse, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Thursday.

He stressed the need to promote networking among institutions concerned with dialogue on Islam’s values of moderation to ensure the implementation of joint programmes and agendas that promote peace and focus on shared values among the followers of different faiths and ideologies.

During the lecture, attended by HRH Princess Rahma and religious and academic leaders, Prince Hassan called for supporting the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and their presence in the holy city, highlighting the ties between the city and Al Azhar.

On the sidelines of the lecture, Prince Hassan met with Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El Tayeb.

Tayeb praised the prince’s contributions to interfaith dialogue and his efforts to promote shared humanitarian values.

Prince Hassan stressed his appreciation of Al Azhar’s message of moderation, lauding the grand imam’s efforts in calling for a culture of peace and harmony around the world.

The prince also met with Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, and discussed the situation of Arab Christians in the region.

Talks also covered means of cooperation between the Coptic Church and RIIFS, in addition to the Arab Thought Forum, which is also headed by Prince Hassan.

Princess Rahma attended the two meetings.