Peaceful coexistence in India unique, says Muslim World League secretary-general Issa

Dr Md Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secty General Muslim World League on Wednesday heaped praises on Indian leadership and noted that peaceful coexistence that he witnessed in India is unique.

“Unlike certain organizations, Indian institutions and leaders I met talked about peace, tolerance and understanding rather than asserting their dominance,” Dr Al Issa said in a special address at New Delhi-based Vivekananda International Foundation.

“The diversity of thought in India has impressed me a lot. My interactions with the religious leadership in India made me realise that we need to uphold human values and stand together. The world can benefit from India's wisdom.”


Dt Al Issa is on a visit to India and have met the PM besides the Foreign Minister and NSA to discuss matters of deradicalisation among other issues.

“To prevent civilizational clash, we need to protect and guide next generation from childhood. Preventive action is needed from childhood. ,” Dr Al Issa as a prescription to fight civilisational clash.

“We need to stand against narratives about clash of civilizations and religious hatred,” he said, adding,
“To entrench power, many leaders have used hate narratives to ensure their own control and relevance.”

“Misconceptions, Hate theories and Wrong Perceptions have expedited road from radicalization to terrorism,” the Muslim World League Secretary General rued.

“Religious leaders today are in siloes and not working to promote understanding.”

Referring to Indian philosophy he said, “India has been instrumental for the progress of humankind
We need to celebrate the difference and still be united.”

“We need to find a remedy to the misconceptions that are being spread We need to work on two fronts- education and protecting youth from propaganda,” suggested Dr Al Issa who formerly served as Justice Minister of Saudi Arabia.

He further pointed out that Interfaith dialogue is only path for future. The irony is that books that disperse hatred are more widespread than books that promote positive, pluralistic and constructive messages.”

“We have sought to engage religious leadership in different countries till the level of United Nations to deal with current deteriorating situation,” Dr Al Issa noted.