Convening an unprecedented meeting between a Muslim head of state and Jewish religious leaders, King Abdullah II of Jordan urged Jews and Muslims yesterday to ”take bold steps toward mutual forgiveness and reconciliation" to counteract extremist violence produced by distortion of religion.
Abdullah, who has taken a leading role in advocating moderation and modernization in the Arab world, quoted liberally from parallel passages of the Torah and the Koran as he told about 70 rabbis, including eight from the Boston area, that ”we must move beyond the language of mere tolerance toward true acceptance. Our common faith and shared history are [our] greatest asset."
Source: [The Boston Globe]
Kudos to His Majesty for advocating messages of tolerance and mutual understanding. In light of what many might be interpreting as a religious conflict, such initiatives are extremely essential in promoting peace and deconstructing stereotypes.
Hmmm…. the only way I can comment here is by tabbing to the comment field, I can’t mouse click and type. Some bug or is it supposed to be that way? Same thing has happened every time both times I have commented here. Anyway! …
“ID cards are meant to impose willingfully embraced security.”
That’s exactly what the Nazis said in the 1930s 🙂
I read throughout.
Its indeliberately astonishing how his Majesty addresses his audience as “kins”.
His Majesty does not speak for all Jordanians.
Don Cox, ID cards are meant to impose willingfully embraced security. The presence or absence is not met through the political system of a country.
I agree. There is no good reason to put a person’s religion on an ID card. It can only cause trouble.
But free countries don’t have ID cards anyway.
If he is that tolerant, why does he require my religion-which I am very proud of- to be put on my ID in Jordan !!!!!!!!!!!!
Religious tolerance has been always there, it’s not a matter of accepting the other’s beliefs as much as a matter of taking what is not theirs. Had Jews (Arab and non Arab)mingled with Moslims and Christians rightfully, nothing of all of this could have happened. It’s a matter of stealing your land, bringing down your home and murdering your beloved not refusing to have them as neighbors.
I’m sure many are determined to see an end to all the irresponsible doings on both sides, but religion is not the barrier. Assuming they were given the right to live in Palestine according to their book, I guess they would have been welcomed if they would live peacefully as citizens or exapts. Couldn’t they just live and let live? couldn’t they find themselves some place to stay instead of taking others’?