Abdul Aziz opens Andalusian study center in Rabat

Arabnews ^ | 7.15.02

[swarthyguy]

RABAT, 15 July — Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Fahd, state minister and chief of the court for the Presidency of Cabinet affairs, yesterday inaugurated here the Center for Andalusian Studies and Dialogue between Civilizations.

At the opening ceremony, he announced the center’s plan to institute an international annual prize for best research on Andalus. He also stressed the importance of bringing out an encyclopedia on Andalus.

Prince Abdul Aziz commended the center’s efforts to organize seminars and studies on Andalusian culture and translate books and documents related to Islamic culture in the Spanish city.

"The main objectives of the center are to promote cultural dialogue between Muslims and other communities and highlight the message of Islam, which is a religion of peace, justice and mercy," the prince said.

He said that those who link Islam with terrorism are totally ignorant of the divine religion. He hoped that the Rabat center would realize the hopes and aspirations of the Muslim nation.

Dr. Abbas Al-Jerary, secretary-general of the center and special adviser to Morocco’s King Muhammad V1, commended Prince Abdul Aziz’s support for the center.

He emphasized the importance of imbibing the Andalusian culture of tolerance in modern times.

The center for Andalusian studies is a non-governmental organization which has received support from both Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and King Muhammad VI.

Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari, Saudi minister of higher education, is the chairman of the center’s executive council.

The center promotes studies on Islamic and Arab culture in Andalus and publishes books related to Andalusian studies. It plans to establish a specialized library on Andalus.

[swarthyguy]

Well, well, let's start a dialogue. Funny timing, after that brouhaha over the islands with Spain.

[swarthyguy]

Cheeky and inyourface too, don't you think?

[Black Agnes]

Geeze, cheeky and inyourface indeedy!

[aristeides]

The Islamofascists are all hot and bothered about the loss of Andalusia in the Reconquista. Maybe the Moroccan government has decided to burnish its credentials for rule if and when Moslems take over Spain again.

[B Knotts]

At the opening ceremony, he announced the center's plan to institute an international annual prize for best research on Andalus.

Like, maybe, the best attack plan for retaking Grenada?

[Black Agnes]

ping!

[RightWhale]

the Andalusian culture

Sure it was a bright spot on the planet at one time. Even Rome had its day. But these bright spots move, and the Andalusian culture has moved. Where is the bright spot today? Possibly the Internet, I suggest.

[B Knotts]

Doh. Make that "Granada."

[Publius]

Not at all. During the Dark Ages, Moslem Spain was the garden spot of Europe. There was street lighting, running water and sewers. Jews and Moslems lived in peace; in fact you weren't a "somebody" in Moslem Spain unless you had a Jewish doctor, lawyer or accountant on your payroll.

Andalus was (almost) the last time Islam served as a progressive force.

[Black Agnes]

Well, considering the recent taking of Spanish territory by the Moroccans, it is rather cheeky and inyourface indeed. Especially the 'commendation' to the Moroccan King. Make no mistake, once they're done with Israel and Kashmir, they'll start on Andalusia. Once a land has come under Sharia it must not be permitted to be otherwise. They want Spain back under Sharia, make no mistake.

[onedoug]

The best thing about Al Andalus was its end, marking the global rise of western culture and civilization.

What can say of the Muslim "nation" with no future but to revel in those perceived "glories" of its past?

[wallcrawlr]

Next time dumb down that title a little so I'll understand what it says.
</sarcasm>

[Kermit]

"He said that those who link Islam with terrorism are totally ignorant of the divine religion."

He doesn't need to convince the West of this, he needs to convince Bin Laden, the Saudi Royal Family, Wahhabis idiots everywhere, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hizbollah, the Iranian Ayatollahs and Islamic Jihad. How studying Spain and dialoging between civilizations is going to do that, I don't know.

[swarthyguy]

UPDATE---<Europe Morocco Refuses To Pull Troops Off Disputed Island
VOA News
14 Jul 2002 21:11 UTC

Morocco's foreign minister says his country will not pull its troops off a disputed Mediterranean island occupied last week.

Spain also claims the island. But Mohamed Benaissa told reporters Monday that the disputed islet - about the size of a soccer field - falls under Moroccan sovereignty and the soldiers will remain despite warnings from Spain and the European Union.

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar says his government is making diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute but will not accept the presence of Moroccan troops on the island, known as Perejil to Spain and Leila to Morocco.

Mr. Aznar told parliament that "it is essential to return to the status quo prior to the occupation of the island." He says Spain will not accept a "fait accompli."

Twelve Moroccan soldiers Thursday set up an observation post and raised their country's flag over the island, located about 200 meters off the Moroccan coast in the Mediterranean Sea, near the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Morocco says it set up the post to fight terrorism and illegal immigration across the Strait of Gibraltar.

In Brussels, the European Union says Morocco risks damaging relations with the 15-nation bloc. EU spokesman Jonathan Faull told reporters that the union wants the stand-off to end as quickly as possible.

Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, has expressed its full solidarity with Spain and has called on Morocco to withdraw its troops immediately.

At the same time, Spain has sent a fourth warship to the area to reinforce its military build-up in the disputed waters.


Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

[swarthyguy]

Why, are you a TV anchor? /kiddin

[Black Agnes]

Yup, I'm sure it's to fight illegal immigration and terrorism. *laugh*. They consider anybody not Muslim a terrorist.

[denydenydeny]

the Center for Andalusian Studies and Dialogue between Civilizations.

In AD 700, the Muslims conducted this "dialogue" with scimitars and arrows.

This is all about the eventual reconquest of Iberia.

[woofer]

Morocco says it set up the post to fight terrorism and illegal immigration across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Any guesses which way the "illegal immigration" is going? How many believe there are people wanting to leave Spain, Portugal or Gibraltar for the opportunity and casual atmosphere of sunny Islamic Morocco? I can't think of anyone offhand except terrorists that went to Spain, Portugal, France or Gibraltar and are now running like scared rabbits as they are being hunted down. Of course, now that I've put it that way, Morocco's statement makes sense.

They just want to take care of their own.

[MinorityRepublican]

Thanks for the ping, anyway.

Morocco's foreign minister says his country will not pull its troops off a disputed Mediterranean island occupied last week.

From what I see, two things will happen. First, Morocco will withdraw from the island. Or, the second option is that Spain will seize the island. If that happens, it will be over before we know it. Remember the Falklands? Same thing here, it's a joke. Morocco has a third world military, and will not pose a threat to Spain's modern military.

[ccmay]

Paging Mr. Martel, Mr. Charles Martel, there's a Mr. Ferdinand de Aragon on line 2...

-ccm