Posted on 11/18/2005 11:52:27 PM PST by Thinkin' Gal
WASHINGTON (AP) — His Majesty King Abdullah was awarded the first Pope John Paul II Peace Award on Wednesday in recognition of his efforts to promote tolerance among the world's religions and tackle extremism.
The King, who did not attend the award ceremony, accepted it in a letter “on behalf of the people of my beloved Jordan and the entire Arab world. Millions are courageously standing up for peace and tolerance — the traditional Muslim values that are the heart of our heritage and our hope for the future.”
The King has been at the forefront of efforts to portray a positive image of Islam in the light of terrorist acts carried out in its name.
Last year, the King assembled 180 Muslim scholars in Amman from 45 countries for a conference called “True Islam and its Role in Modern Society.” The result was “a joint statement of accord to help end abuses of our faith,” the King said in September in a Washington speech. The statement became known as the “Amman Message.”
In his letter accepting the award, the Monarch said, “The murderous bombings in Amman last week demonstrate clearly the inhumanity, the bankrupt morality and the anti-Islamic nature of extremism.” A total of 59 people died as a result of triple suicide attacks at three of Amman's international hotels last Wednesday.
“We will not let our faith be hijacked by the violent few,” said the King in his letter. “This was the driving force behind the Amman Message, issued a year ago, which expresses Islam's teachings regarding humility and equality before God, compassion, and peaceful coexistence among all human beings.” Msgr. William A. Kerr, executive director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Centre, which presents the award in the name of the late pontiff, said King Abdullah “was chosen because of his efforts to broker peace and understanding and for his tireless work to peacefully settle conflicts that engender violence.”
Among those in the audience were representatives of 65 of the 130 countries visited by Pope John Paul during his papacy. He died April 2, and the award was established to honour his legacy.
“Justice, peace and prosperity would all suffer if our world becomes divided into hostile camps. Our future depends on the respect we have for each other, and the tolerance we exhibit in its truest sense: mutual understanding and acceptance,” read the letter.
Friday-Saturday, November 18-19, 2005
University students hold pictures of Jordan's King Abdullah II, wave Jordanian flags and sing national songs during an anti-terrorism rally at the Jordanian University in the city of Amman, Jordan, Monday, Nov.14, 2005. The televised confession of an Iraqi woman accused of being the fourth would-be suicide attacker set Jordanians buzzing Monday, some expressing joy over her capture and others venting anger over her deadly plans. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
If this was a UN award, it would have gone to Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez.
Nah, the UN has been getting more uppity of late.
They would probably give it to Abu Musab for his life long devotion to the the Islamic faith.
Getting a little famous aren't we?
The Wicked King of the East and the Whore of Babylon, eh?
Well-deserved good news bump.
His coming out party…as it were… notice the date of the Amman bombings 11/9, Google 99 Allah… 9 x 11 = 99.
I still think he looks like Jerry Mathers...in fact...I have never seen them both in the same place at the same time. hmmmmm.
Check!
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