Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – “Religions against Extremism” meeting organized by the Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism was held on 17 December 2020 in collaboration with the University of Religions and Denominations and the Cultural Center of Melal attended by personalities and scholars of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Islam (Shiites and Sunnis), professors, students and a number of victims Terrorism who believe in various religions. The event was organized on the occasion of the “A World Day against Violence and Violent Extremism” day at the University of Religions and Denominations. The principles emphasized by the participating leaders and figures were published in the final statement of the meeting, entitled “Extremism and violence are not related to any religion.”
Extremism and violence are not related to any religion
Divine religions are the center of mercy, compassion and kindness in the system of creation, which promote the moral values and transcendent principles of religions in human society with precise and clear instructions, and have ultimate emphasis on avoiding any impurity, immorality and oppression of any human being, regardless of nationality, color, race and geography.
History has always witnessed violence, oppression and crimes that have endangered the lives, health, freedom, security and rights of human society, and even more unfortunate that these tragedies and crimes are committed by abusing the transcendent concepts and values of religions.
Terrorism, under any pretext, has taken part in the exploitation of values and the production of crime, and the reason of its survival is the abuse of sanctities. Any crime under the name of the divine religions is a deceptive and conspiratorial act against the religions that has continued in line with anti-religious strategy throughout history.
The question now is how can the divine religions, whose texts are full of advice for love, peace and friendship, be the source of extremist and violent thoughts? Reasonably, it should be mentioned that religions, religious centers and followers of religions are the first victims of violence and extremism.
Therefore, we must distinguish between those who consider themselves the rulers and interpreters of religion and what really exists in the teachings of the divine religions. When a misinterpretation of a religion is provided, one should not condemn that religion, but should condemn that person. His words should not be taken into account in religion and the followers of that religion must not be excommunicated. It is this approach that will prevent extremism and violence and create peaceful coexistence.
The important point is that the divine religions have vast capacities to counter violence and extremism, which should form the global center of religions against terrorism to promote the clear message of the divine religions to respect the rights of friend and enemies, and let the world know the common logic that extremism and violence are not related to any religion.
