Hajj Largest Gathering for Peace, Solidarity with Palestine: Canadian Thinker

IQNA – A Canadian thinker and Islamologist described the Hajj pilgrimage as not just an act of worship but the largest gathering for peace in the world.

 

Addressing the “Hajj, Quran-centrism, And Sympathy with Gaza” webinar, John Andrew Morrow said the opportunity of Hajj should be used to show the power of the Islamic Ummah and voice solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people.

The online seminar was organized by the International Quran News Agency (IQNA) on Monday, June 10. 

Andrew Morrow, who has chosen the name Ilyas Abdul Alim Islam after becoming a Muslim, said Hajj reflected monotheism as well as human, religious and social unity.

He added that Muslims should pay attention to the social, economic and political aspects of Hajj as well as its religious dimensions.

They should embrace and act upon the moral and behavioral principles taught by the Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he said.   

The Canadian scholar said Hajj is also the best opportunity for learning one another, developing friendships and creating friendly bonds.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said all logical persons, whether they are Muslim, Jew, Christian, etc, support Palestine and condemn the (Israeli) war crimes and violations of human rights.

Stresing the importance of opposing such crimes and massacre of people, he cited Verse 32 of Surah Al-Ma’idah of the Holy Quran, “For this reason, We made it a law for the children of Israel that the killing of a person for reasons other than legal retaliation or for stopping corruption in the land is as great a sin as murdering all of mankind. However, to save a life would be as great a virtue as to save all of mankind. Our Messengers had come to them with clear authoritative evidence but many of them (Israelites) thereafter started doing wrong in the land.”

Andrew Morrow also said genuine Islam is the Islam of tolerance and moderation, as the Holy Quran says, “We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be an example for all people…” (Verse 143 of Surah Al-Baqarah)

University of Tehran Professor Mohammad Ali Azarshab, Head of Association of Muslim Scholars in Lebanon Sheikh Ghazi Hunaina, Head of Union of Ahl al-Bayt Scholars of Turkey Ghadir Akaras, and Head of Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) Muhammad Azmi Abdulhamid were among other speakers at the webinar.

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