Jordanian King Abdullah II is delivering a special address at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met with King Abdullah in Amman earlier this month, is attending the function organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre, where the Jordanian King is speaking on “Islamic Heritage: promoting understanding and moderation”, to an audience that includes academics and Islamic scholars, as well as representatives of all denominations of the Muslim community. Pakistan HC Sohail Mahmood is also amongst diplomats present at the venue.
Highlights of King Abdullah II's speech
- It is faith that brings us the commandments, to love God and the good, and love our neighbour. It is faith that inspires us everyday. Too much in the world spoken about religion is about what separates us. But people. Of different faiths have lived together since ancient times.
- Where did human diversity begin? To understand each other, to recognise our shared humanity, to act righteously in the sight of God, this is my faith, the faith I teach my children, the faith shared by 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.
- Everyday I learnt that it was a Muslim's duty to defend the defenseless and help those in need.
- My father believed that leadership at any level, at any place is highest priority is serving people and securing a better future for all.
- The world is one family, however different our families and countries are, we have a shared responsibility. Compassion, mercy, tolerance are values shared by Muslims and non-Muslims. Today's global war against terror is not a fight between people or religions. It is between murderers of our faith and humilities and against extremists whose faith is hate and violence. The war against terror is not one religion against each other but of moderation versus extremism and terrorism. We need to take back our spaces and airwaves back from those who speak the language of hate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to an audience that includes academics and Islamic scholars. Jordanian King Abdullah II is present. | Photo Credit: Suhasini Haidar
Highlights of Narendra Modi's speech
- King Abdullah's acceptance of invitation to visit this country shows his love for India. Jordan has historical importance in India's religious texts. It is where khuda ka paigam (gods message) was sent. Many religions have been born and nurtured in India. Message of peace and love have gone out from India to other countries.
- India's Ganga Jamna Tehzeeb comes from the philosophy of confluence of religions and the world as one (vasudhaiva kutumbakam).
- Religious extremists don't realise that their actions hurt the very religion they claim to represent.