Essence of democratic Islam highlighted during a seminar

Under the auspices of the Democratic Islam Conference, the Religious Council in Aleppo held a dialogue seminar on Monday titled "The Political and Religious Vision of the Democratic Islam Conference for Building a New Syria." The seminar was attended by a group of politicians, clerics, and civil society institutions' members.

The seminar, held in the meeting hall of the Syrian Democratic Council in Aleppo, began with holding a minute of silence, which was followed by reading the first axis by Nesrin Ibrahim, the member of the Democratic Islam Conference and the administrator of the Women's Office of the Religious Council in Aleppo.

The axis section included the political and religious vision of the Democratic Islam Conference for Building a New Syria, in parallel with the recent events witnessed in Syria, starting with the coastal incidents and the bombing of Mar Elias Church, continuing to Sweida. This reflects the targeting of Syrians on sectarian grounds, leading up to the "Constitutional Declaration," which failed to reflect the spirit of pluralism and the true participation of various components in decision-making.

The axis drew attention to the presence of attempts to incite violence against specific sects, and the use of mosques and religious institutions as platforms for inciting violence and hatred. This threatens social peace and undermines the values ​​of co-existence, a practice the Democratic Islam Conference strongly opposes.

The axis indicated that the democratic Islam is a comprehensive national and religious option that aims to save the nation from division and infighting, and transform it into a live model of a democratic nation that respects all components and ensures everyone's participation in shaping the future.

Democratic Islam views dialogue and consultation as a way to resolve disputes

The second axis, which focused on introducing the Democratic Islam Conference, was explained by Sheikh Yahya Mahmoud, the member of the Religious Council. He pointed out that the democratic Islam is not an abstract theory, but rather a practical alternative to violence and extremism. It links religion with social responsibility, and views dialogue and consultation as a means of resolving disputes.

Yahya Mahmoud emphasized that implementing this project in the new Syria means drafting a constitution that guarantees the rights of all components, guarantees freedom of belief and the free and safe practice of religious rituals, strengthens the role of independent civil institutions, and disseminates a culture of co-existence via educational curricula, moderate religious discourse, and responsible media. This will create a generation that views diversity as a source of strength, not a cause of conflict.

He also noted that Islam should not be subject to the consolidation of rule or authority, nor should it legitimize killing under any pretext. "The Muhammadan Islam we believe in is the  democratic Islam, which upholds human dignity, believes in pluralism, and rejects coercion in religion or thought.

The way to interventions and inquiries was then opened to the audience whose questions ranged about the Democratic Islam Conference's perspective on numerous issues, most notably its view of other religions, whether divine or non-divine.

At the conclusion of the symposium, Sheikh Ali al-Hassen, the administrator of the Aleppo Religious Council, answered all the attendees' questions individually, emphasizing that Islam is a religion of ease, not hardship, founded on noble morals, far from the fanaticism that distances it from its true essence.

J.J

ANHA