The Message of Islam for Peace and Co-Existence
Kyoto, Japan
21 September2010
We―Muslimleaders and scholars from Egypt, Indonesia, Iran，Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, together withJapanese religious leaders and scholars―convened in Kyoto, the oldcapital of Japan, with our sincere and strong wish for reconciliation and peacein Afghanistan and other parts of the world, to convey the message of Islam forpeace and co-existence.
Thishigh level consultation followed from the Roundtable Discussion onReconciliation and Peace: Prospects for Shared Security in Afghanistan heldin Tokyo Japan, (November 23 to 25, 2009) which included a recommendation that theWorld Conference of Religions for Peace Japanese Committee (WCRP/Japan)convene prominent Muslim leaders and scholars to reiterate the message of Islamfor peace and co-existence.
Weconfirm that Islam is a religion of peace and mercy for all humankind. Itrespects the sacredness of life and inherent dignity of human existence, whichis the foundation of all human rights without any distinction as to race,color, language, or religion. It teaches a fundamental principle that humanbeings were created into different nations and tribes that they might know eachother based on human brotherhood.
Webelieve that Islam promotes tolerance, moderation, and the unity of the humanfamily based on truth and justice. It emphasizes universal brotherhood andsolidarity not only among Muslims but also with peoples of different faiths. Italso recognizes the need for harmony with nature and the environment.
Weare convinced that jihad is one ofthe important teachings of Islam and therefore it must be understood in thecomprehensive context of the universal teachings of Islam that instruct Muslimsto establish peaceful relations with others based on truth and justice. Thegreater jihad is indeed a struggle totransform oneself in accordance with the commands of the Supreme Creator and towork for the betterment of His creation and for the development of just,prosperous, and peaceful society. The lesser jihad is for legitimate self-defense based on Islamic Law. It doesnot condone aggressive war against others or the killing of innocent people byany means including suicide bombing.
Webelieve in the right of peoples to self-determination and we consideroccupation as oppression and a source of violence. Therefore, we call for anend to occupations in any place of the world, including in Palestine.
Islamprotects the security and well-being of persons and societies and proscribesall practices that would harm them, such as cultivating, stockpiling, trafficking,and usage of illicit drugs.
Werecognize that Islam is misused through misinterpretation inside the Islamiccommunity and misunderstanding outside of the Islamic community. This may arisefrom either ignorance or the pursuit of self-motivated, political, social andeconomic objectives that propagate hate, discrimination, injustice andintolerance. We request the media to be careful in its coverage of terrorismand to avoid linking it to any religion, including Islam.
Basedon Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, wecall on all states to take measures to fulfill their responsibilities toprotect their citizens from religious and racial hatred. This would include thedesecration of holy texts―such as the burning of the Holy Quran―anddiscrimination against followers of Islam over their values, beliefs, andoutlook in the non-Muslim world. Freedom of expression includes the obligationto respect the feelings of others.
Weexpress our deep appreciation to our hosts, WCRP-Japan, for their hospitalityand for their partnership in our common pursuit of peace, justice, and sharedsecurity.
Wepray for God The Almighty to guide us on the right path.
