Twitter statement from the HCHF on the historic declaration
Posted on 08/18/2020 1:37:08 PM PDT by ebb tide
VATICAN CITY (ChurchMilitant.com) - Pope Francis and a top Muslim envoy have met to discuss the implementation of the pontiff's Catholic-Muslim Abu Dhabi declaration and progress made on building the proposed Abrahamic interfaith shrine.
Twitter statement from the HCHF on the historic declaration
Two days after the meeting, HCHF announced that Pope Francis and Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmad al-Tayyeb had "identified the document on Human Fraternity as the most important humanitarian document in modern history."
The meeting with Judge Mohamed Abdel-Salam, secretary-general of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), was not announced in the pope's official itinerary, and Vatican News did not report the meeting.
Sources told Church Militant that the July 31 meeting was held in anticipation of the first anniversary of the formation of the HCHF, which falls on the Feast of the Assumption.
The meeting is said to have focused on the work carried out over the year by the HCHF on its projects and initiatives, especially on the building of the three-faiths worship center — the Abrahamic Family House — which is expected to be built by June or July 2022.
In comments to Church Militant, eminent Islamic scholar Robert Spencer explained how "the Abrahamic Family House is based on a false premise."
"In speaking of Abraham, Pope Francis probably thinks of Genesis 22:15–18, in which Abraham is rewarded for his faith and told he will become a blessing to the nations: 'by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice,'" Spencer said.
"But Muslims don't consider Genesis to be Scripture, or for the most part even read it. They read the Qur'an," Spencer noted.
Ahmad al-Tayyeb could not change Islamic doctrine when he signed the pact; the calls in Islamic texts for the subjugation of unbelievers remain unchallenged.Tweet
"In Sura 60, Allah says that Abraham is an 'excellent example' (uswa hasana, أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ, a term applied also to Muhammad in 33:21) for the believers when he tells his pagan family and people that 'there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, unless you believe in Allah and him alone' (60:4)," Spencer explained.
"The same verse goes on to say that Abraham is not an excellent example when he tells his father, 'I will pray for forgiveness for you.' Hatred is held up as exemplary; forgiveness is explicitly declared to be not exemplary," he noted.
"The Abrahamic Family House thus promotes a commonality of faith and an openness and mutuality that simply isn't present from the Islamic side," observed Spencer, author of best-selling The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam.
An HCHF statement stressed that the Holy Father, during the meeting, expressed his "keenness to activate the [human fraternity] document globally" and "turn its principles into reality."
The interfaith shrine, which the pontiff is enthusiastically promoting, bundles together a mosque orientated toward Mecca, a church with its altar facing east towards the sun, and a synagogue with its podium and Torah facing Jerusalem.
The three temples will share a similar silhouette symbolizing unity but vary in their facades and interiors, with vaults for the mosque, screens for the synagogue and colonnades for the church.
An interior view of the church
within the interfaith complex
The multifaith complex designed by Adjaye Associates under the supervision of British architect Sir David Adjaye OBE will be built on Saadiyat Island in the United Arab Emirates, not far from the new Louvre Abu Dhabi, an art and civilization museum.
The decision to build the complex was a result of Pope Francis' Abu Dhabi meeting with the Grand Imam al-Tayyeb (Sunni Islam's top religious leader) in February 2019.
Human rights organizations have highlighted systemic exploitation of migrant workers on Saadiyat Island used to build elite vanity projects.
Abuses include forced labor, employers withholding wages and benefits, failing to reimburse migrant laborers for recruiting fees, confiscating workers' passports and housing them in substandard accommodation.
The HCHF has also stated that its goal is to "translate the principles of the document on Human Fraternity into policies, resolutions, legislative texts, educational curricula, information materials, and effect initiatives to help humanity find security, tolerance and peace."
The document "is the most important of its kind in the modern history of interfaith dialogue," it emphasized.
But Spencer told Church Militant that "the Abu Dhabi declaration and the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity is a massive exercise in deception on the one side and wishful thinking on the other."
"Ahmad al-Tayyeb did not and could not change Islamic doctrine when he signed the pact; the calls in Islamic texts and teachings for warfare against and the subjugation of unbelievers remain unchallenged," Spencer maintained.
The Abrahamic Family House promotes a commonality of faith that simply isn't present from the Islamic side.Tweet
"The declaration's statement that terrorism is a perversion of religious doctrine is false and misleading and breeds a dangerous complacency among Catholics," he said.
"The implementation of this untrue and pernicious document can only mean more trouble for the Church, as the truth about the jihad threat against Christians is further stigmatized and marginalized," Spencer warned.
Jorge and Ahmad, a couple of self-promoters.
Ping
There is NO CROSS in the “interfaith shrine”, focal point of the coming one-world religion. The Anti-Christ is waiting in the wings. The true church of Christ will depart soon.
Pope is a Dope.
I went to one of the most conservative esteemed academic seminaries in the USA. I used to have to tell people that Islam is not an Abrahamic faith or even related at all. Also the social gospel and liberation theology were not taught as heresy or heterodox. I would make a fuss over this every time it was brought up in theological context or in class notes ect...;I would question why this is even being taught as legitimate theology. I knew the answer already but it made me irate and questioning why I was even bothering with such an institution.
Wasn’t this news story lifted from a Malachi Martin novel?
Reminds me of the gospel story of the transfiguration. Peter says, “wouldn’t it be a great idea to build three booths — one for each of you? “ And of course that was not the right idea at all.
Beginnings of the church of chrislam?
That's a problem right there , implying to Christians that Islam doesn't pose a threat to anyone who is not a Muslim.
Read The Koran, Hadiths and life of Muhammed for further clarification and edification. -Tom
Creepy Francis again acting out his hatred for the West.
“Is the Pope Catholic?” is no longer a rhetorical question.
May Saint John Baptist protect Islam and all the people of Jordan, and all who partecipated in this celebration, a memorable celebration.
He was also the first pope to ever enter a mosque, and unfortunetly, not the last one to do so.
The Pope was responsible for the launch of the crusades and absolved those holy warriors who died in battle of their sins. Doesn't make sense to me.
I first started noting the ecumenical mixing of Christians and Muslims at the ecumenical 9/11 memorial service held in the "National Cathedral"/ Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Washington, D.C. That really bothered me. Anyone with a knowledge of Islam knows that Islam's religious leaders are practicing taqiyya to fool Christian leaders. It is very troubling to me see Christian leaders host ecumenical services with Muslims.
Islam holds Christianity in utter contempt. I agree that evangelizing to Muslims is desirable, but it ain't going no where when you publicly embrace their religious leaders or their unholy text. Islam cannot be reformed. Any actions by Christian leaders showcasing Islam in a positive light is wrong.
In the larger picture JPII was great. He, RWR and Maggie Thatcher stood up to the Soviet Bear and made it blink. Pointing out disagreements with some of his actions like the picture with the Qu'ran and essentially ignoring the child molestation crisis within the priesthood are appropriate. We all make mistakes.
Make no mistake - I as well deny Christ's unconditional Love as I cheered the deaths of Khomanie, Hussein, Bin Laden and take joy in the wipe out of ISIS and Solamaeni...etc. etc. I know it is OK for these evil men to be taken out... but its wrong to enjoy it and cheer for it, as we all find ourselves doing. That visceral emotion to wish bad will for others, doesn't endear us to anyone- especially Gid.
We are in agreement on that.
... That's not to say go hug a Muslim today.... but it does highlight the differences of what a total self-emptying commitment to Christ allows in us. That's what John Paul II had.
And I will continue to point out the inappropriateness of kissing the Qu'ran.
And his starting point was that ALL humans are created by God. The yoke is easy, and the burden is light- but thats the hardest thing to master.
And that is the point I am in disagreement with regarding the path Pope Francis is following regarding this Abrahamic faiths project. This AF business goes back to the Catholic Catechism which JPII was following when he kissed the Qu'ran. There is no way to reconcile the OT/NT with Muhammed's version in the Qu'ran.
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