CAIRO, Egypt, JUNE 1, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Islam's main problem is in its own ranks, among the "ignorant who do not know the real principles of religion," says Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Addressing the 13th Congress of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, which includes representatives from 70 countries, Religious Affairs Minister Mahmud Zagzug read a message from Mubarak in which the latter emphasized that "the problems faced by Islam do not come from its well-known enemies, but from those who are ignorant of our religion."
"Ignorant Muslims confuse others with their mistaken concepts," Mubarak added. He referred to ideologues and fundamentalist groups, and accused them of presenting Islam to the world as "violent, criminal and bloodthirsty."
In Mubarak's opinion, "if Islam wishes to take the place that corresponds to it in the map of the civilized world, it must be able to be renewed and to go forward."
Hundreds of Muslim delegates and philosophers from around the world are attending this conference, which is discussing the way to present Islam to non-Muslims as a religion of tolerance, peace and fraternity.
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
1. juni 2001