Khatami: Islam a Religion for All Generations and Ages
September 6, 2000 - 0:0
TEHRAN President Mohammad Khatami said here on Monday afternoon that Islam is a religion for all generations and ages, adding that it will not be affected by changes in time.
Speaking before a meeting of heads of Islamic organizations and centers in the U.S. on the second day of his arrival in New York to attend the UN Millennium Summit Khatami said: "If we seek to defend Islam we should recognize the realities of our time." He underlined the need for further identification of the truth behind religions and their promulgation, adding that this is the great mission of all Muslim scholars throughout the world.
Pointing to the prevalence of mistaken concepts on religion and its role in the administration of human affairs, President Khatami said the rejection and negation of religion on the pretext that it is incompatible with the changing realities of life is incorrect.
Elsewhere in his remarks he pointed to the lack of coordination and consultation among Muslims and emphasized that in no place in the world would Muslims want to disturb living practices and regulations, but would only insist that their rights be respected.
Pointing to the influence exerted by Zionists over U.S. decision-making bodies, the president said: "Our complaint against certain governments and their policies such as the United States is why, as a result of the massive lobbying of the Zionists, it has come to be suggested that Tel Aviv is the U.S. capital. This is a big insult to the U.S. community and nation." He regretted the fact that Muslims in the U.S. do not portray their ideals effectively as the U.S. citizens, stressing that Muslims can convey the message of peace and justice wherever they live in the world.
Speaking for his part, the leader of the organization Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, praised the personality of Imam Khomeini and the role that the great Leader played in the revival of Islam, saying he proved to the world religion can be effective in administering the affairs of society.
Other participants in the meeting rejected allegations of discord in the Islamic world and stressed that Islam always supports peace, peaceful coexistence and justice.
Speaking before a meeting of heads of Islamic organizations and centers in the U.S. on the second day of his arrival in New York to attend the UN Millennium Summit Khatami said: "If we seek to defend Islam we should recognize the realities of our time." He underlined the need for further identification of the truth behind religions and their promulgation, adding that this is the great mission of all Muslim scholars throughout the world.
Pointing to the prevalence of mistaken concepts on religion and its role in the administration of human affairs, President Khatami said the rejection and negation of religion on the pretext that it is incompatible with the changing realities of life is incorrect.
Elsewhere in his remarks he pointed to the lack of coordination and consultation among Muslims and emphasized that in no place in the world would Muslims want to disturb living practices and regulations, but would only insist that their rights be respected.
Pointing to the influence exerted by Zionists over U.S. decision-making bodies, the president said: "Our complaint against certain governments and their policies such as the United States is why, as a result of the massive lobbying of the Zionists, it has come to be suggested that Tel Aviv is the U.S. capital. This is a big insult to the U.S. community and nation." He regretted the fact that Muslims in the U.S. do not portray their ideals effectively as the U.S. citizens, stressing that Muslims can convey the message of peace and justice wherever they live in the world.
Speaking for his part, the leader of the organization Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, praised the personality of Imam Khomeini and the role that the great Leader played in the revival of Islam, saying he proved to the world religion can be effective in administering the affairs of society.
Other participants in the meeting rejected allegations of discord in the Islamic world and stressed that Islam always supports peace, peaceful coexistence and justice.