FOREWORD

As part of its endeavor to spread the Islamic culture far and wide, develop the contents of this culture, raise a sound awareness about its purport and objectives, promote the Islamic thought and strengthen its role in the shaping of modern life, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) included in its Three-Year Action Plan for 1998-2000 a Project on fostering awareness about the Islamic heritage and addressing issues of modern times. Focusing on the Islamic heritage, the project aims to broach this lore from a contemporary perspective so as to shed ample light on its riches and expound issues and concepts not within reach for the present-day researcher and reader. Modern cultural and social issues are thus examined, and their cultural, economic and political implications investigated against the Islamic principles and fundamentals in such a way as to bring answers to the questions and problems raised by these issues.

One of the components of this Project consists in the preparation of a series of fifteen studies featuring the Islamic outlook on subjects and problems of interest to the contemporary society. Translated and published in Arabic, English and French booklets, the studies will be subsequently released through ISESCO's Islamic database aimed to publicize the religion, culture and civilization of Islam through Internet.

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is pleased, therefore, to present “Dialogue from the Islamic Point of View” to the reader. The book highlights the tolerance of Islam and its promotion of dialogue with non-Muslims as well as its advocacy of stronger, respectful relations among humans and its support of the ethics of sound discourse, interaction and discussion of the thought of others.

Our thanks are due to the author, Dr. Abbas Al Jirari, for his excellent presentation of the Islamic viewpoint on the subject.

Our thanks also go to Dr. Jilali Saïb, author of the English translation.

It is hoped that this publication will rise to the expectations pinned by readers on their Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

We beseech Almighty Allah to crown our efforts with success, guide us to the right path and enhance the benefits of this book.

Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri
Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
-ISESCO-

In the Name Of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate